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The Martin XB-51 pioneered a curious weapons bay right after WWII. The weapons were mounted on the inside of this rectangular "slab" that would also form the door of the bay. The whole assembly would rotate 180 degrees around the longitudinal axis to expose the weapons to the airstream. This was done because of acoustic/structures problems associated with opening large cavities while flying fast on the deck (the XB-51 mission).
The same design was subsequently applied to the P6M Seamaster, and the Martin-built B-57 Canberra. The Buccaneer also has a rotary bomb bay, i wonder if it's the same design.
Does anyone have good pictures/diagrams of these systems? I have been looking like crazy but don't have much to show for...
The same design was subsequently applied to the P6M Seamaster, and the Martin-built B-57 Canberra. The Buccaneer also has a rotary bomb bay, i wonder if it's the same design.
Does anyone have good pictures/diagrams of these systems? I have been looking like crazy but don't have much to show for...