The F-22 and the F-35 have brought internal weapons on fighters and attack aircraft back in to use. But its not a new concept. Earlier fighter aircraft with internal weapons are:
The weapons bay was for AIM-4, AIM-26, and AIR-2 on the F-101, F-102, and F-106. The AIM-26 and AIR-2 needed to be in a controlled enviornment. The F-105, A-5, and F-111 had the internal bay for the storage of a nuclear anti-surface payload.
Now for my question: Did I miss any?
F-117
If you include aircraft which didn’t enter service, you could add the YF-12, which was to carry AAM’s internally
Another one that comes to mind is the Blackburn Buccaneer.
Again, if you include prototypes/cancelled projects, the TSR2 would qualify.
F-86D rocket tray.
F-89J AIM-4 bays in wingtip pods. Earlier versions carried rockets in the nose and wingtip pods
F-94 rocket pods on wing and bays in the nose
I know the rocket trays aren’t exactly what you were thinking.
John
I’ve never seen a F-105 kkit with an internal bay, only aftermarket mod kits.
I thought the Trumpeter F-105 kits had the fuel tank parts for the weapons bay that was carried in Vietnam.
The CF-105 Arrow was supposed to have an internal weapons bay.
I’ll drag out the 1/48 F-117 soon with its 2 internal 2000# slammers.
Max
The F-105 models I’ve seen(Trumpeter 1/72 D and Revell/Monogram 1/48) have the weapons bay doors scribed into the fuselage. But because the bay was never used as intended (as far as I know) in combat service, no one ever bothered to add an open option. Be interesting to see an aftermarket bay with the fuel tank installed and separate doors.
Another candidate not yet mentioned (didn’t make it past the mockup stage); the F-108 Rapier. Internal bay with rotary launcher carrying 3 air to air missiles.