WE177

[Treble one]

Doing some research into this weapon and whilst doing so, not only noticed the variable yields (A/B/C) and that for the B/C the C was only use by RAF Germany.


Without going into too much detail, for obvious reasons, was this essentially due to the B being a strategic weapon, and the C being a tactical weapon?


TIA
TO

[Pontius Navigator]

The lower yield (190kt) was used in Germany because of SACEURs policy. I don't know policy details but that was why the YS2/WE177B were confined to the Soviet Union.

[Treble one]

Thanks PN.


Hadn't realised that the WE177B provided such a big 'Bang'.

[99 Change Hands]

My favourite source:

nuclear-weapons.info

[Treble one]

Thank you 99-I'd forgotten about that site.


Regards
TO

[LOMCEVAK]

The 'C' was also an option for the UK overland Buccaneers (208 Sqn).

[Treble one]

Thanks LOMCEVAK-as per PN's post I thought the 'C' was confined to Germany- but yes Google is your friend.

[Pontius Navigator]

Don't forget the Jaguar carried the C

[air pig]

Boscombe Down Aviation Museum at Old Sarum has an inert, sectioned WE 177C on display.

[Treble one]

IWM Duxford has a WE177 (B I think) which is displayed with TSR2 (Not the Swordfish, the other one.....)

[air pig]

TO,

There are couple at the 'secret' bunker near Nantwich in Cheshire plus a Cheveline system as well from Polaris and one at IWM North in Salford, but the BDAC at Old Sarum is the only one sectioned and considering the effect it is a remarkably small weapon.

[99 Change Hands]

There was one displayed at the National Trust site at Orford Ness in Suffolk to mark the environmental testing that was done there.

[Wokkafans]

Farnborough Air Sciences Trust has a Polaris Chevaline nose section and a WE177 on display.

FAST - Farnborough Air Sciences Trust - Farnborough Museum - Hampshire

[NutLoose]

Two on a trolley at Cosford next to the Valiant



One at Elvington too, standing up position, gave it a friendly kick after having lived through the three man principal part of my life, it had to be done..

[Exnomad]

Worked on carriage equipment for WE177, had to have higher security clearance for that.

[Treble one]

Nutloose-Duxford's WE177 is on an identical looking trolley to that at Cosford.....

[Peter G-W]

Who was the "three man principal?" All those years on Tornado and I never met him.

[salad-dodger]

Originally Posted by Peter G-W

Who was the "three man principal?" All those years on Tornado and I never met him.

Made me laugh, but it'll sail so far over Nut's head that he won't even see it.

S-D

[jimjim1]

Red can

Does the red can contain the Bic pen used to turn the bomb on?

As was rumoured in the papers, years ago.

[superplum]

No, BIC pens never went through the Approvals Procedure!