"IanDTurner" wrote in message
...
From an RAF perspective - the Harrier and Jaguar doors are re-cycle and
close
after the undercarriage is down. Tornado doesn't.

The main difference is that both Harrier and Jaguar were designed to
operate
out of rough or semi prepared airfields, and this would certainly cut down
on
muck in the bays

Ian

HH-53C (Super Jolly Green) specialized in rough or unprepared airfields, and
with it's wide open bays, muck in the bays was certainly a problem. Once
IIRC we had a "Jolly" return with no gear in one main landing gear bay.
Seems it was left on a stump or something at an unprepared field. Some of
you may remember the "Coasty" (absolutely, positively no disrespect) (USCG)
who flew as an exchange pilot with 37th ARRS, Danang Airfield.

Old Chief Lynn