Q&A · 4:35:21-4:39:26

Could a Blackburn Blackburn carry anti-submarine rockets?

A Blackburn Blackburn surviving into the wartime rocket era could be adapted with rails and carry rockets instead of bombs, although the premise implies severe aircraft shortages.

Question

How would Blackburn Blackburns use rocket pods, and would they carry them with bombs or instead of bombs?

Short answer

Under that counterfactual they would use rails and carry rockets instead of bombs, but there is little reason for the obsolete aircraft still to be serving.

Notes

The question names the Blackburn Blackburn, although rocket pods initially raise the possibility that Buccaneer was intended. Taking Blackburn Blackburn literally requires an aircraft retired in 1931 to remain available into the wartime rocket era. It would use rails of the sort fitted to Swordfish, with strengthening of the lower wing suggested. Rockets would be carried instead of bombs for anti-submarine work. Keeping such an obsolete aircraft in service would imply serious equipment shortages, and its poor power-to-weight ratio makes it an unattractive choice.