vulcan
Thread Starter
vulcan
A chap I have been chatting to tells me he returned from Acension in the bomb bay of a vulcan following a radio fit on the QE2.
Is this possible? I had imagined that the bomb bay would not be pressurised.
T18
Is this possible? I had imagined that the bomb bay would not be pressurised.
T18
, but it would help to make some of our budget airlines look positively luxurious.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
T18, you misheard or misunderstood. He may have said Bomb Aimer' s couch, position or compartment. Only in Thunderball could he have gone in the bomb bay.
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Known a few radio techs in the 60's who came close - me included. The STR18 aerial coupler, with a reputation for sticking gears, was embedded in the roof at the rear of the bomb bay. As HF comms was fairly critical for any Vulcan mission, it wasn't unusual for a tech to climb up unscrew the fasterners on the coupler cover panel and give the unit a belt with a calibrated hammer.
If the aircrew were convinced that Ivan was on his way, then with the engines straining at the leash, they weren't keen on hanging about for the tech to exit the bomb bay. I've seen one Crew Chief flatly refuse to remove the chocks until the guy was out. Thankfully.
If the aircrew were convinced that Ivan was on his way, then with the engines straining at the leash, they weren't keen on hanging about for the tech to exit the bomb bay. I've seen one Crew Chief flatly refuse to remove the chocks until the guy was out. Thankfully.
Thread Starter
Vulcan
Hi Pontious
Not mistaken, I questioned him at length, he said they put seats in the bomb bay!
He worked for a large electronics company fitting out the QE2 which is believable but the trip back does'nt ring true for me.
I did ask about pressurisation but he was adamant, detailing the size of the bombs that could be carried in the bay.
T18
Not mistaken, I questioned him at length, he said they put seats in the bomb bay!
He worked for a large electronics company fitting out the QE2 which is believable but the trip back does'nt ring true for me.
I did ask about pressurisation but he was adamant, detailing the size of the bombs that could be carried in the bay.
T18
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Bomb bay seats
There was a plan during confrontation (Singers) to get our groundcrew out in the Victor bomb bay but it was never used. Your friend may have heard of this
I think it unlikely this episode, if true, could have gone unreported for so long
The bomb bays of all the V's were not pressurised and so 10,0000 would be max altitude without oxygen. This would limit the aircraft range.
With regret I think your friend your errs or simply mistakes the scheme for the fact. Many are apt to collect to themselves events hear happened to others
I think it unlikely this episode, if true, could have gone unreported for so long
The bomb bays of all the V's were not pressurised and so 10,0000 would be max altitude without oxygen. This would limit the aircraft range.
With regret I think your friend your errs or simply mistakes the scheme for the fact. Many are apt to collect to themselves events hear happened to others
Gentleman Aviator
As an old chum of mine often says:
The older you get, the more clearly you remember the things that never happened!
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
The bomb bay could have been heated comfortably but a mod to provide oxygen, as a quick bodge would have been tricky. Worse however was the sound proofing.
Did your friend shout at you, have two hearing aids, and couldn't hear you?
Did your friend shout at you, have two hearing aids, and couldn't hear you?
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Alison, a friend was in the bomb bay when the disperse order was given. The captain started engines - he came out tout suite.
Thread Starter
Vulcan
Hi guys
The chap I spoke with has a liking for the hard stuff so may have confused the memory a little, I hope to chat with him again soon, so I can perhaps revisit the story.
Many thanks for the information.
T18
The chap I spoke with has a liking for the hard stuff so may have confused the memory a little, I hope to chat with him again soon, so I can perhaps revisit the story.
Many thanks for the information.
T18
I was on ASI from April until late August 1982, primarily looking after Victor Nav. kit but also helping out on Vulcans when requested. It never happened, confused or "walt" springs to mind.
Thread Starter
Vulcan
Hi Oberon
My thoughts precisely, I just didn't use the "W" word, he also doesn't realize that I have a PPL, although on the other hand he speaks very loudly as if perhaps a little deaf !
T18
My thoughts precisely, I just didn't use the "W" word, he also doesn't realize that I have a PPL, although on the other hand he speaks very loudly as if perhaps a little deaf !
T18
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It must be true, after all, the one in Cosford has a TV mounted in the front of the bay playing endless vulcan documentaries, I cannot think what else it could have been used for except as in flight entertainment for the passengers. 
Pontius,
the Hercules could be used as a bomber (Vietnam etc) or as a minelayer, as it was cleared to do so during Op Corporate. Not much it could not be used for really, the ultimate MRCA.
the Hercules could be used as a bomber (Vietnam etc) or as a minelayer, as it was cleared to do so during Op Corporate. Not much it could not be used for really, the ultimate MRCA.
After 17 hours in the back of a C130 wandering around the South Atlantic it could have been the bomb bay of Vulcan or the wing of a Beverley. I really didn't care, I just wanted out. ......and then we arrived back at ASI!