One argument for designed gear doors to be open during
landing approach on an aircraft carrier would be that the
aircraft jet engine would run at higher RPM during approach
which reduced spool-up time for a bolter or wave off.

At least, spool-up time was a real concern half a century
ago when we trapped under the mizzen mast sails on the poop
deck.

WDA

end

"Mary Shafer" wrote in message
...
On 4 Jul 2003 19:05:44 -0700, (Elliot
Wilen) wrote:

In another online forum, it has been claimed that on the
F-18, F-14,
F-4, and possibly F-8, A-7, A-6, and A-4, all the
landing gear doors
stay open when the gear are extended. While typically
(or at least in
most other military jets), some of the landing gear
doors open only
during extension/retraction, and are closed while the
gear are
extended.

The F-111 MLG doors open, the gear extends, and the doors
shut.
Mostly because otherwise these huge doors would be hanging
out being
speedbrakes.

F-4 doors stay open. So do F-15 and F-16 and B-52 doors.
Ditto
YF-12, SR-71, T-33, F-104, X-15, F-18, CV-990, A-7, F-8,
KingAir,
B-747, B-1, B-2, F-117, B-57, and U-2. Also Lear 24 and
25. And the
Orbiter. These are just the ones I've seen and can
remember.

I'd say it's not most, military or otherwise.

--
Mary Shafer Retired aerospace research engineer

"Turn to kill, not to engage." LCDR Willie Driscoll, USN