My latest variation of my original Martin XB-51 post, available here, I present the Martin B-51B "Night Intruder". As with my original build, this version also features a rotary bomb bay, realistically sequenced landing gear and doors, working cockpit, variable incidence wing, spoiler roll system, working flaps, slats, trimmable horizontal stab, 8x bombs, 4x rocket pods and 8x 20mm cannon.

History: In the early 1950s, the real life XB-51 competed against the Canberra for a U.S. Air Force contract to produce a jet-powered ground attack aircraft. The Air Force eventually chose the Canberra, then turned it over to Martin to produce, under sub-contract, as the B-57. Martin subsequently incorporated the XB-51's novel rotary bomb bay into the British design as it was determined to reduce drag and turbulence during bombing runs. The resulting B-57B went on to serve in Vietnam as a night interdictor bomber, striking targets, notably trucks on the Ho Chi Minh trail. In that role, it was finished in a striking satiny black with red markings. This is my conjecture of what the B-51B would have looked like in that role had Martin won the contract to produce its own design. As the Canberra was eventually modified, I've also moved the radio operator from his "coal hole" position in the fuselage to a tandem-canopy configuration and added bigger weapons for more boom (Boom 50s, as opposed to 25s this time around), plus the rockets. In order to handle the increased weight, I've added a bit of engine power, as is commonly done over the course of an aircraft's service life. I hope you all enjoy this conjectural build!

Features and Controls:
AG1 - Nav Lights
AG2 - Reserved
AG3 + VTOL - Flaps and Variable Incidence Wing
AG-4 + VTOL - Speed Brakes
AG-5 + VTOL - Rotary Bomb Bay
AG-6 - Drouge Chute
AG-7 - Reserved
Slats - Retract with Throttle
Roll Spoilers - Roll
TRIM - Well, TRIM, duh!

Flight Manual:

Takeoff: AG3 and VTOL halfway down to lower flaps and variable incidence wing to takeoff setting. Trim nose down (slider up) 1/2 notch, add full power and she'll lift off around 160 mph. Raise flaps and fair the wing by neutralizing the VTOL, add trim as necessary to keep the nose around 10-15 degrees nose up for the climbout. Retract the gear, notice the gear lights extinguish in the cockpit.

Bombing Run: AG-5 plus VTOL full up or down will rotate the bomb bay open. The corresponding green and red lights will illuminate when activating AG-5 and rotating the bomb bay--telling you you're ready to drop. AG-4 plus VTOL down to open the speed brakes and keep your speed under control. Drop bombs using normal controls. 60 degrees nose down works well for aiming...it's all optical dive bombing in this baby...keep enough altitude below you to pull out, as this jet is 44,000+ pounds of streamlined lawn dart on highly loaded wings!

Landing: Lower your landing gear, note the three green “down and locked” lights. Make your approach with flaps and wings set for landing, AG5 + VTOL full down at 175-ish mph and approximately 13% power. USE PLENTY OF NOSE UP (SLIDER DOWN) TRIM. Reduce power to idle coming in over the underrun and flare to settle on the runway. Don't hit too hard, but she lands fairly easily. Hit AG6 on touchdown to deploy the drogue chute.

For an extra challenge, fly your strike missions at night! Fly safe!