I have a copy of the Vulcan B Mk 2 Aircrew manual, AP101B-1902-15, 2nd edition, April 1970.
In it, two bombsights are briefly mentioned – NBS and a SFOM Bombsight, which was installed on the coaming in front of the co-pilot.
I’ve never heard of this sight before and am wondering if anyone has more details, perhaps a photo or two?
It reminds me of several lectures I attended, given by crew members in the years after Op. Black Buck to the Falklands.
I always asked the same question and always got the same (short) answer:
Q: “How was the bombsighting done? :)”
A: “Eyeball, Mk. I :rolleyes:”
Can anyone now tell me whether it was the SFOM bombsight they used, or is this kind of stuff still shrouded in secrecy?
Hang on, I just heard a knock at the door… 😮
By: TerryP - 11th February 2012 at 15:37
I was at Waddington 77-80 and harmonisd them often.
My little notebook tells me that the lamp was 505L/2020514, the attaching screws were 508B/22 and the electrical connector was 10H/9448102. The supply fuse was 4P 1313 28v 2.5amp, located on the top of 4P.
TerryP
By: cabbage - 10th February 2012 at 22:47
It must have used before 1978, or after 1982.
I worked on Vulcans at Scampton from January 1978 untill February 1982, and never saw, or heard of this sight.
As an Armourer, I’m sure I would have noticed such an item.
Cabbage
By: aircraftclocks - 10th February 2012 at 20:46
The Section Reference number says it all, it’s the first item in the section (French aircraft gunsights and ancillary equipment).
By: Arabella-Cox - 10th February 2012 at 11:12
Thanks for the response guys.
I’m a little bit more informed now. SFOM is a French Company, which explains why I had so much difficulty working out what the initials stand for!
It seems to have been fitted to a number of European types (I’ve seen Canberra and Fiat G91 mentioned) so I wonder if it was something to do with NATO standardisation?
It appears to be a low level sight so was presumably fitted to the Vulcan during its Hedge Hopper days.
It may not be the sight used to bomb Stanley airfield after all as I understand the bombing took place from 10,000 ft, which is not really low level.
By: TerryP - 9th February 2012 at 20:29
Ref No 508B/1
It was aligned by viewing the tip of the refuel probe and ensuring the depression was as recoded by the weapons officers in Operations, i.e; 16 degrees and 110 mils.
I’m not sure that these photos are of the exact type fitted to the Vulcan but are pretty close.
By: aeropark - 9th February 2012 at 15:39
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February 9, 2012 at 2:54 pm