Originally Posted By +8Rich

Could the front cabin guys get up and walk around aft at all, it makes me wonder how they managed to stay awake.


Absolutely no room to move around at all. The access ladder comes up behind he pilot's seats. there is then a smaller ladder which enables you to climb up and squeeze through a gap not much more than 12" wide between the seats in order to sit down. Either side of the main access ladder there's a platform about 2 foot square which enables the rear crew to access their seats. 3 abreast, facing backwards, the outer two swivel to enable them to squeeze in.

Once you're in, you're going nowhere until you land. I'm a chunky 14 stone, and I reckon I would be at the absolute limit to get in. Anyone heavier, over about 6 foot tall would have no chance of folding themselves into the available space.

Apparently the crews with the Blue Steel stand-off nukes were told that in the event of a nuclear war, once they had launched their missiles they were to turn and head south as far as they could and hope to find somewhere to land in friendly territory - the assumption being that there would be nowhere for them to come home to.

As you say, sobering stuff.

Tim H.
1986 4/4 VVTi Sport, 2002 LR Defender, 2022 Mini Cooper SE