Originally Posted by
ZeBedie
Would the Buccaneer not be destroyed by the bomb?
The ac would likely be only about 6 nm away from the point of detonation. The mach stem effect would in all probability de-stabilise the bomber's recovery resulting in a departure from controlled flight.
Incidentally, the Vulcan planned to drop a WE 177 900 from a laydown profile at 300 feet. Release speed was 300 kts and the weapon safety breaks, drogue and fuzing delayed detonation by only 30 secs. This meant the ac was 2.5 nm away when the bomb detonated. One-way mission really and the crews were briefed to attempt to find a suitable airfield east of the Urals or in Turkey to recover to.