Nigegilb:
time enough to cobble together fire protection in the bomb bay
No, not at all. A great deal of research into the types and methods of extinguishing any fire in any area of the bay would have had to be carried out. Then it would need design drawings and consent and then manufacture and finally fitting and testing, etc. With the best will in the World, it would never have happpened in 15 months. Even at the time of the rejected Qinetiq proposal a few years ago, the MR2 would have out of service before any big system like that could have been installed upon that recommendation. My own view is that it is an impossible concept anyway, but its only my view (like yours I guess), so it carries no weight.