Barracuda P9661
The Fairey Barracuda, spanning models Mk I, II, III, and V, was a versatile three-seat high-wing monoplane designed primarily for dive-bombing, torpedo-carrying, and reconnaissance missions. Here is a detailed overview of its design:
Structural and Functional Features:
Fuselage Construction:
- Mixed Structure: The forward fuselage, including the engine mounting and cockpit framework, was constructed from tubular steel for strength, while the rear section was a monocoque structure, which combined lightweight with rigidity.
- Cockpit Design: The crew’s cockpit area was housed under a continuous hood with movable sections for easy access, including tip-up hoods at the navigator’s and gunner’s positions, doubling as windshields.
- Wind Deflectors: Some models featured triangular wind deflector panels next to the pilot’s windscreen to allow open-canopy flying, though these were removed under modification 549.
Wing and Control Surfaces:
- Folding Wings: The wings were of a two-spar stressed skin design, housing the fuel tanks and undercarriage. For carrier operations, the outer wing sections could be hydraulically folded back after the trailing-edge flaps were raised and locked in place.
- Flaps: Mounted on outriggers, the flaps could be set to positive incidence for takeoff and landing or negative incidence for diving, enhancing the aircraft’s versatility across different flight modes.
Undercarriage:
- Hydraulically Operated: The retractable undercarriage featured a single hydraulic jack that retracted the units upward and inward. A torsion box, a toggle strut for locking, and an oleo-pneumatic shock absorber strut contributed to the undercarriage’s robustness.
Weapons and Equipment:
- Armament: The Barracuda was capable of carrying bombs, torpedoes, depth charges, mines, and smoke floats. Bomb racks were located under each wing, while torpedo crutches were mounted under the forward fuselage.
- Torpedo and Bomb Sight: A simple yet effective sighting system consisted of a stenciled ellipse on the inside of the pilot’s windscreen, aligned with a ring sight on the fuselage, adjustable for different attack profiles.
- RATOG (Rocket-Assisted Take-Off Gear): The Mk V could be equipped with RATOG for enhanced takeoff performance, especially from shorter carrier decks. These rocket motors were mounted under the wings and could be jettisoned after use.