bomb bays in wings

[coolpop6307]

I was just wondering what if they put the bombays in the wings, could it work?


   Thanks joshua

[Supertom]

It's been done before.  The PZL Los from WW2 had the bomb bays in the wings.  Of course you were severely limited in payload size.  I don't think it's very practical, but the engineers here might be able to give a more detailed answer.

[Gondor]

Between World War One and World War Two several bombers did exactly this and several of the bombers used in World War Two used bomb bays in the wings so it obviously did work. The fact that the size of the bombs you were able to carry would have an upper size limit was one of the reasons the practice was discontinued. Well known examples are the Halifax and Shorts Sterling.

Here is a link to a load out for a Short Sterling showing the bomb bays. http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/personal-gallery/bomb-bays-28426.html

Gondor

[coolpop6307]

Between World War One and World War Two several bombers did exactly this and several of the bombers used in World War Two used bomb bays in the wings so it obviously did work. The fact that the size of the bombs you were able to carry would have an upper size limit was one of the reasons the practice was discontinued. Well known examples are the Halifax and Shorts Sterling.

Here is a link to a load out for a Short Sterling showing the bomb bays. http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/personal-gallery/bomb-bays-28426.html

Gondor

Cool thanks

[Spey_Phantom]

the Fairey Battle aslo had bombbays in the wings 

[pyro-manic]

Also the Handley Page Heyford, which had it's bomb bay in the centre section of the lower wing.

[Mossie]

The YB-35 and YB-45 had bomb bays in the 'wings'.  I guess being flying wings they couldn't be anywhere else, although they were clearly off the centre line.  There were eight in total I think.  Many flying wing bomber designs have similar arrangements.  Early designs for the Avro Vulcan had the engines on the centre line, with a bomb bay either side.

[scooter]

The YB-35 and YB-45 had bomb bays in the 'wings'.  I guess being flying wings they couldn't be anywhere else, although they were clearly off the centre line.  There were eight in total I think.  Many flying wing bomber designs have similar arrangements.  Early designs for the Avro Vulcan had the engines on the centre line, with a bomb bay either side.

As does the B-2, granted both bays are on either side the centerline between the mains.  And, in someways, its made a return with the 5th Generation "stealthy" aircraft, like Raptor, with both belly and lateral weapons bays.  But, again, it comes down to size of the payload.  An F-22 or Lightning can't carry big bombs in its ventral weapons bays and hanging tanks and ordinance out on the wings blows stealth capabilities, ergo limiting their capabilities as "multi-role" aircraft

[wagnersm]

Some fighters also had bomb bays in the winges.

XF4U had small bomb bays for 5lb bombs to drop on enemy bombers.

[Dizzyfugu]

A relatively modern aircraft which had wing bomb bays was/is the Il-102 prototype (the competitor to the Su-25). It had AFAIK six single bomb bays - this solution was chosen because the wings were relatively thick, and the drag reduction compared to external storage of six iron bombs was considerable. In the pic below you can see the bays under the left wing, with open hatches:

[NARSES2]

Interesting photo Dizzy' hadn't noticed those before

[PR19_Kit]

Quite apart from the bomb-bay in the wing issue, that photo reinforces my view that the Il-02 is/was a LEADING contender in the 'World's Ugliest Aeroplane' stakes. YEUK! 

[Dizzyfugu]

Yes, but it was pretty effective, even though a bit unorthodox. 
I think it was also the last aircraft of this size (if at all) to feature a tail barbette?

[darthspud]

Didn't the HE-111 have wing bomb bays?

or wing root area
seem to recall bombs falling vertically from two bays either side of centreline whilst watching Battle of Britain a while back.

[Dizzyfugu]

No, just a normal belly bomb bay, but it contained two rows of (vertically loaded) bombs, so that your impression is correct, though.

BTW: I think the Il-2 also had wing bomb bays, at least the early models. No wonder it carried over until the Il-102?