Russian Aviation Experts Required

[Hakahura]

So who knows what these bits are on top of this Tu160's wings are?


http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/3280/blackjack.jpg
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/%3Ca%20href=http://img715.imageshack.us/i/blackjack.jpg/%20target=_blank%3E[img=http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/3280/blackjack.th.jpg]%3C/a%3E

At first I thought they might be the movable wing fences, but they just don't look right for that.

Wing Fences circled below

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/3176/blackjack2p.jpg

Could they be engine inlets? Doubtful, why retain the original ones. Plus they seem too far aft for that.

Wonder what they are? The photo is not very clear and does not blow up too well.

Original Article


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1064713/Russian-nuclear-bomber-flies-undetected-20-miles-Hull.html


Yes I know not the RAF or UK's finest hour.

[Lionclaw]

Some information at wikipedia. :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wing_fence


- - -

The wing fences on the Tu-160 were hinged inboard segments of the wing flaps which folded up as the angle of the sweep increased, forming wing fences. Their purpose is to optimise the aerodynamic efficiency of the area between the fixed wings and the sweeping wings.


Just a summary (not an excerpt) from "OKB Tupolev: A History of the Design Bureau and its Aircraft"