It is my contention that the attitude of the bombs at egress would have little, if any, effect on the trajectory as they fell. As Scottie would have it “Ya cannae change the laws of physics” and in particular Newtons laws of motion.

As the bomb is dropped it has a horizontal velocity vector equal to that of the aeroplane and only then starts to accelerate in a vertical direction also. Thus the reason that we see the bombs fipping over as they fall from the He111 is more due to this horizonal velocity than any vertical velocity. This horizontal velocity vector is also demonstrated by the long strings of bombs seemingly strung out below a heavy bomber in photographs. The horizontal velocity will obviously degrade in time due to drag but in general the bombs will travel along below the aircraft whilst simultaneously accelerating towards the earth.

There would be no ‘forward throw’ unless they were ‘toss bombing’, for instance.

I think that the reason for the attitude of the bombs in the bomb bay is more to do with fitting them into the space available within the structure, especially if the design did not make sufficient allowance for larger individual items in the first place. For instance a mid or shoulder wing layout makes it easier to fit in a long bomb bay as in the Lancaster (and others) without weakening the stucture by making large cut outs. Conversely a low wing layout makes it easier to fit in a passenger cabin.

Just my two penneth.

Rod.