B-24J Witchcraft Bombay

[Heathrow Harry]

I have a "Ghosts" calendar (the best!) and the May picture shows a currently flying B-24J "Witchcraft"

-also seen here

B24J Witchcraft | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdorn/3469518289/)

Is the open framework seen below the aircraft the bomb doors? I have looked at a lot of photos of B-24's dropping bombs in WW2 but can't see anything like that

[oxenos]

Keel Beam?

[Heathrow Harry]

possibly - don't see it it any photos tho'............

[Noyade]

Something like this?...


http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/2667/img689z.jpg (http://img220.imageshack.us/i/img689z.jpg/)

[Load Toad]

Folks - Google is not only your friend it is darn easy to use:

https://www.google.com.hk/search?q=b-24+bomb+bay&hl=en&safe=off&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=qaTIT6ffNtSciQf82J07&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CDgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=709

[Heathrow Harry]

thanks - I got there in the end.......

[Jhieminga]

Have a look at the third photo in this thread: GoPro shots (B-24 and P-51 content) - Key Publishing Ltd Aviation Forums (http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=117172)
This was taken from the B-24J mentioned above during 'Bombing camp' and shows a concrete replica bomb being dropped on a range. The keel beam providing structural strength to the fuselage in this area is also used as a walkway through the bombbay. The Flight Engineer was sitting in the cockpit area during this drop but with his foot on the walkway, seen in the photo.

[tonytales]

I think asome of the confusion comes from the fact that the B-24 didn't have conventional bob bay "doors:. It had roller shutters that slid up on tracks on outside of the fuselage skin. So no doors hanging down as we see on most bombers. These just went up on the sides like the ones some stores use to close off their display windows at night.

I believe that was one reason that the B-24 had a reputation as being a poor ditching machine. The roller shutter type doors had not much strength and on ditching, the water would push them right in and immediately flooding the aircraft.

[Load Toad]

B-24 bomb bay doors.
https://www.google.com.hk/search?hl=en&safe=off&biw=1280&bih=709&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=b-24+bomb+bay+doors&oq=b-24+bomb+bay+doors&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=img.3...83428.90181.0.90504.14.1.2.11.0.0.26.26.1.1.0.. .0.0.aPqkFfgwzNE

And a test ditching here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSDa9z4kdOg


After the ditching: File:1944 B-24 James River Ditching Damage.jpg - NasaCRgis (http://crgis.ndc.nasa.gov/historic/File:1944_B-24_James_River_Ditching_Damage.jpg)

[Jhieminga]

Interesting footage Load Toad, but it appears that this particular B-24 had a solid fuselage underbelly without bomb doors, so it is not really representative of a basic B-24 airframe. It does nicely show what happens to an airplane when ditched though. Also the nose breaking off just in front of the wing is a known B-24 weakness.

[Noyade]

Interesting footage Load Toad

Ditto. I like the bit where the co-pilot(?) gets out and combs his hair. :)