EE Lightning – nuclear Bomber!?
EE Lightning – nuclear Bomber!?
Read in Chris Gibson’s Secret Projects.
Desperate times lead to desperate measures …..
In the early 1950s the prospect of a formation of Soviet nuclear armed bombers heading our way lead to the idea of strapping a nuclear bomb to a Lightning to deal with them. No idea whether this was to be a kamikaze type mission though carrying a 2000lb Red Beard isn’t going to help its interception range.
In the end nuclear warheads became smaller and the idea was abandoned in favour of using the Bloodhound missile as the delivery method.
Desperate times lead to desperate measures …..
In the early 1950s the prospect of a formation of Soviet nuclear armed bombers heading our way lead to the idea of strapping a nuclear bomb to a Lightning to deal with them. No idea whether this was to be a kamikaze type mission though carrying a 2000lb Red Beard isn’t going to help its interception range.
In the end nuclear warheads became smaller and the idea was abandoned in favour of using the Bloodhound missile as the delivery method.
I very much doubt it as the first Lightning squadron did not form until 1960. As to carrying a nuclear bomb, as a two tour WIWOL I cannot imagine where it could have been carried. There were no wing/fuselage hardpoints apart from the 2 missile pylons which could only mount Firestreak. Space was at a premium in the Lightning fuselage but I suppose that the radome or weapons pack could have ben substituted. There was of course space in the 'elephant ears' !
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safetypee,
Nice try with the NWS switch (and the wink emoji).
Never incorporated was the Nosewheel Steering but the NWS switch was fitted.
I share the comments of nipva and I am also a WIWOL of the same age.
oxenos, when did you fly the Lightning ?
Nice try with the NWS switch (and the wink emoji).
Never incorporated was the Nosewheel Steering but the NWS switch was fitted.
I share the comments of nipva and I am also a WIWOL of the same age.
oxenos, when did you fly the Lightning ?
Dook! Let them have their little joke! We know that after defending our skies in the U.K. and Germany, we both went on to be single seat Strike/ Attack pilots who spent days in Q cuddling a tactical nuclear weapon! I think we deserve a bit more respect!
As I recall, the largest fitting on the Lightning weapons pylon was a Sea Vixen PR modified drop tank - MPC Valley, but never flown. The objective was to identify Jindivick towed target flare break up; a Phantom with PR pod was used with IR film - without success.
Oxenos,
I very much doubt it as the first Lightning squadron did not form until 1960. As to carrying a nuclear bomb, as a two tour WIWOL I cannot imagine where it could have been carried. There were no wing/fuselage hardpoints apart from the 2 missile pylons which could only mount Firestreak. Space was at a premium in the Lightning fuselage but I suppose that the radome or weapons pack could have ben substituted. There was of course space in the 'elephant ears' !
I very much doubt it as the first Lightning squadron did not form until 1960. As to carrying a nuclear bomb, as a two tour WIWOL I cannot imagine where it could have been carried. There were no wing/fuselage hardpoints apart from the 2 missile pylons which could only mount Firestreak. Space was at a premium in the Lightning fuselage but I suppose that the radome or weapons pack could have ben substituted. There was of course space in the 'elephant ears' !