B52 & Vulcan Ground Access

[Silent1]

If one wanted to enter a B52 through one of the open landing gear wells, would it be possible to enter through the bulkhead into the cockpit, or for that matter walk along the inside and into the closed bomb bay?

Also is it possible to do the same on a vulcan or is it through the front steps only to get into the cockpit?

[FourWheelDrift]

Silent1 said:

Also is it possible to do the same on a vulcan or is it through the front steps only to get into the cockpit?

There is no access from the bomb bay into the cockpit on a Vulcan. The forward bulkhead is covered with 200v and 115v electrical control boxes.


Edited to add photo.

Edited by FourWheelDrift on Monday 6th April 14:59

[Shar2]

I believe it's the steps into the cockpit only. From the B-52 office it may be possible to enter the bomb-bay, (but why? Unless you're a Dr Strangelove fan). Don't think you can enter the Vulcan bomb-bay att all from the inside.

[Invisible man]

In the Vulcan there is no chance, in the B52? maybe but it looks unlikely as the lower deck is immediately in front of the massive front bogies and the upper deck stops at the crew stations

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://ww...

[THX138]

Pop along to the RAF Hendon museum and you can stand under a VULCAN with its bomb doors open, a remarkable sight especially when compared with the nearby Lancaster thats in a similar position. From memory the Vulcan is bigger than the Lancaster and it has to be seen up close & personal to be appreciated how big it really is

[Shar2]

THX138 said:

Pop along to the RAF Hendon museum and you can stand under a VULCAN with its bomb doors open, a remarkable sight especially when compared with the nearby Lancaster thats in a similar position. From memory the Vulcan is bigger than the Lancaster and it has to be seen up close & personal to be appreciated how big it really is

Or go to Duxford and see both the Vulcan and B52 up close and personal.

[THX138]

Shar2 said:

THX138 said:

Pop along to the RAF Hendon museum and you can stand under a VULCAN with its bomb doors open, a remarkable sight especially when compared with the nearby Lancaster thats in a similar position. From memory the Vulcan is bigger than the Lancaster and it has to be seen up close & personal to be appreciated how big it really is

Or go to Duxford and see both the Vulcan and B52 up close and personal.

I love Duxford but haven't been for a few years. I remember the B52 but can't recall if its Bomb doors were open, which is why I mentioned Hendon as I went a couple of months ago. Of course it's worth a visit to both for anyone remotely interested in aircraft!!

[Silent1]

THX138 said:

Shar2 said:

THX138 said:

Pop along to the RAF Hendon museum and you can stand under a VULCAN with its bomb doors open, a remarkable sight especially when compared with the nearby Lancaster thats in a similar position. From memory the Vulcan is bigger than the Lancaster and it has to be seen up close & personal to be appreciated how big it really is

Or go to Duxford and see both the Vulcan and B52 up close and personal.

I love Duxford but haven't been for a few years. I remember the B52 but can't recall if its Bomb doors were open, which is why I mentioned Hendon as I went a couple of months ago. Of course it's worth a visit to both for anyone remotely interested in aircraft!!

Duxfords bomb bay is closed, but i could swear it used to be open.

[Shar2]

It was open when I went there just before Christmas last. Most curious.

[Silent1]

Indeed, the PH went for a job interview there so i went for a wander.

No idea why it was closed, i didn't realise they could close them, i was under the impression they're drained of most of their fluids.

[Shar2]

I'm going back there in July for Flying Legends, will have to check it out and maybe ask one of the guides.

[CobolMan]

Nice photo of the bomb bay there I don't suppose anyone has any photos (or links to photos) of the interior of a Vulcan, particularly the Nav stations? I'm building the good old Airfix kit (XM607) and the interior is looking a bit bare.... Mind you, I'm still trying to get seamless air intakes which is a real labour of love

[Matt172]

CobolMan said:

Nice photo of the bomb bay there I don't suppose anyone has any photos (or links to photos) of the interior of a Vulcan, particularly the Nav stations? I'm building the good old Airfix kit (XM607) and the interior is looking a bit bare.... Mind you, I'm still trying to get seamless air intakes which is a real labour of love

I remember doing one of those with my Dad when I was a kid, we spent hours painting the interior and all the crew to the smallest detail, only to then fit the canopy and paint over the whole lot so you couldn't see anything

[FourWheelDrift]

Not online but I have here the Vulcan Aeroguide. Published by Linewrights 1984. 32 page photographic aeroguide used by modellers I believe. I have it for the photos



29 Aeroguides now, there are only 8 listed in the back of mine when it was printed

[CobolMan]

Thanks for the tip FourWheelDrift, I'll see if I can get a copy. Biggest problem I've got is where to keep the thing when it's built, didn't realise it was going to be quite so big (and Mrs C is not very amused)!! I guess I'll have to pick up a Victor K2 to keep it company too

[spitfire-ian]

Silent1 said:

Also is it possible to do the same on a vulcan or is it through the front steps only to get into the cockpit?

Although in the James Bond film Thunderball there was access between the bomb bay and cockpit in reality, as mentioned above, there is no access.

There is a small access hatch so you can enter the bomb bay when the main doors are closed though. Access to the cockpit is through the crew door just in front of the nose wheel. The canopy does come off for emergencies and maintenance.

[mervynp]

Shar2 said:

THX138 said:

Pop along to the RAF Hendon museum and you can stand under a VULCAN with its bomb doors open, a remarkable sight especially when compared with the nearby Lancaster thats in a similar position. From memory the Vulcan is bigger than the Lancaster and it has to be seen up close & personal to be appreciated how big it really is

Or go to Duxford and see both the Vulcan and B52 up close and personal.

Or go to the Frank Whittle Museum just outside Coventry and have a sit in their Vulcans cockpit, they open it up most days along with a few other pieces in their collection.

[FourWheelDrift]

And the Cosford B1 cockpit, hack around but open to the public.

[Shar2]

FourWheelDrift said:

And the Cosford B1 cockpit, hack around but open to the public.

Doesn't Bournemouth Aviation Museum have a Vulcan B2 Cockpit which the public have access?

[badgers_back]

Duxford certainly used to be open on the 52, I stood under it and thought about trying to see where you could get by climing up.

Guess someone tried it..