BLACKBURN BROADSWORD B Mk. 1

In my alternate universe, Blackburn Aircraft is still a viable concern ;-)
This particular build was conceived after a look through some of the designs by Cutangus. I hope he doesn’t mind that I changed a few crucial bits and pieces.

When the Royal Navy ceded its fleet of Buccaneers to the RAF, a need for a carrier-borne maritime attack aircraft was considered redundant. But as usual, the world decided not to play along with Parliament’s plans for the future of the armed forces, and a slew of troubles in outlying areas meant that a versatile bomber with possible nuclear capability again became a priority. Luckily, Blackburn had a bunch of blueprints for just such an aircraft lurking in the back of a filing cabinet, so when the Navy asked for an urgent follow-up to its Buccs, the Broadsword saw the light of day.

According to some, the Broadsword had been on the receiving end of a severe beating with the Ugly Stick, but to others it was something out of a science fiction programme. Either way, no-one could fault its robust design, no nonsense handling characteristics, and effective weapons load; and it was even easy to maintain. The extendable canards improved low speed handling so much there was no need for flaps, and the heavy-duty landing gear made easy work of deck or unprepared strip landings. To aid visibility over the nose, a video camera was installed in the nose cone.

The two underwing hardpoints could be equipped with single or multiple-shot pylons, capable of carrying rocket pods, four Martel or Exocet type maritime attack missiles, or six point-defence air to air weapons. Two medium nuclear stand-off bombs were also possibilities. This particular version is carrying Martel type missiles designed to ruin a sailor’s day. Four 30mm Aden Cannon were mounted, as standard, two in the nose and two on the canard wing roots. Ammunition was stored in easily uninstalled “cans”, housed in the long nose.

CONTROLS:
Steering on the stick;
VTOL DOWN + AG1 Canards
VTOL DOWN + AG2 Airbrakes
VTOL DOWN + AG3 Arrestor Hook
AG5 Landing Lights
AG6 Nav/Position Lights

(Best to lock VTOL DOWN at start and use the activation buttons to raise/lower/open/close as needed)

I advise flying all my planes with the mouse, not the keyboard. Let me know how you get on :-)