@ fareastdriver & ZH875
Victor cockpit
Jettisoning the complete cockpit was investigated during the Victor design phase, but it was discovered that the relative movement of the cockpit-less airframe and the (hopefully) parachute-suspended cockpit was dangerously unpredictable, so the idea was abandoned.
Of the three aircraft, I preferred the Victor because it was the only one from which you could see out properly. Someone once described flying the two others was "like driving my mother-on-law's house from the back bedroom window". Another comment was "like driving a house through the letter-box". High up or low down, drivers need to be able to see what's happening outside.
PS. Apart from the "instant sunshine" load, the ability to carry large numbers of conventional bombs certainly came in useful (as a very credible threat) during, for example, the Indonesian Confrontation, when their deterrent effect, plus what was happening on the ground in Borneo, eventually persuaded enough people in Indonesian high places that they really were on a hiding to nothing.
Last edited by Jig Peter; 15th Aug 2011 at 13:41.
Reason: Add PS