Vertical bomb loading? Why?

[OpanaPointer]

I've seen footage of Luftwaffe planes dropping bomb and they're coming out fins first. Is this to save longitudinal fuselage or what?

[Grzesio]

I'd say, a given load of bombs occupied the same space in horizontal or vertical position, but it was technically and structurally easier to hang bombs side by side than one above the other. For example, lower part of the bomb bay did not carry any loads in case of vertically hanging bombs.

[OpanaPointer]

Thanks. Any information on the bomb release mechanisms available?

[Orwell1984]

Some discussion here:
viewtopic.php?t=163962
viewtopic.php?t=196289

[T. A. Gardner]

It appears that a small manually operated wench was used to load the bombs as shown here



The ground crew would help guide it into place

[OpanaPointer]

Thanks to all.

[Tomg44]

Wikipedia - Through development it was described as a "wolf in sheep's clothing". Due to restrictions placed on Germany after the First World War prohibiting bombers, it masqueraded as a civil airliner, although from conception the design was intended to provide the nascent Luftwaffe with a fast medium bomber.

The attached cutaway shows the advantage of vertical stacking. The FORMERS of the air frame are the same for passenger plane and a bomber. The bombs fit neatly between them – cut a few holes in the floor and you're away!. Makes it easier to bluff and bluster your way through awkward questions about the real purpose of the aircraft.

If a bomb with an impact fuse, is dropped during installation, would it explode?. Would installing them nose up, be a simple basic safety feature?

[OpanaPointer]

The "work arounds" were clever.