WE177
 

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

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.

Thanks PN.


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

My favourite source:

nuclear-weapons.info

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


Regards
TO

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

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

Don't forget the Jaguar carried the C

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

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

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.

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

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

FAST - Farnborough Air Sciences Trust - Farnborough Museum - Hampshire

Two on a trolley at Cosford next to the Valiant

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...-_DSC08456.JPG

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..

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4151/5...410a7e6a_b.jpg

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

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

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

Red can
 

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

As was rumoured in the papers, years ago.

No, BIC pens never went through the Approvals Procedure!
:cool: