Author Topic: DB7-B and Boston III (Read 544 times)

Ike 2K# · « **on:** November 03, 2003, 12:25:44 AM »

did the British version of DB-7B see service in battle of britain?

Furball · « **Reply #1 on:** November 03, 2003, 04:59:57 AM »

no,

Quote

Entering service with Bomber Command in July 1941, the Boston was well liked by its crews which flew it in the light day bomber role.

The first Boston IIIs were delivered from America in summer 1941, the first squadron to receive them being No 88 based at Swanton Morley in Norfolk. It was some time (8 months) before their operational debut - an anti-shipping raid on 12 February 1942.

The aircraft replaced ageing Blenheim IVs in No 2 Group of Bomber Command and continued to be used in daylight raids on targets over occupied countries. Many attacks were made at low-level to avoid detection by German radar sites and, during the summer of 1942, a number of daring attacks were carried out; power stations, factories and railway yards being amongst the most common targets.

In June 1943, No 2 Group transferred to the newly-formed Second Tactical Air Force in preparation for the invasion of Europe where they served until April 1945 and were replaced by Mosquitos

from http://www.raf.mod.uk/bombercommand/aircraft/boston.html

frank3 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 03, 2003, 10:03:47 AM »

What was the cruising speed of the Boston III btw?

Furball · « **Reply #3 on:** November 03, 2003, 01:38:00 PM »

from above link

Maximum Speed: 304mph (490km/h)
Cruising Speed: 250mph (403km/h)

frank3 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 04, 2003, 08:49:36 AM »

wasn't it the idea to outrun the enemy fighters cause lack of firepower?
ok, 250 mph is pretty fast, but almost every fighter can outrun it tho

Furball · « **Reply #5 on:** November 04, 2003, 05:21:13 PM »

yes, but the enemy has to get to know its coming, get to alt, and chase it, a high cruising speed may mean that the bomber has escaped by the time the interceptor has the opportunity to catch up with it.

109F3 cruising speed = 310 mph so only a 60mph difference.

davidpt40 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 04, 2003, 06:16:53 PM »

109f3 cruised at 310mph? Wasn't the P51s cruising speed 190mph?

Furball · « **Reply #7 on:** November 05, 2003, 05:10:34 AM »

me109.net says 109F-3 = 310mph

Cruising speeds for P51-D i can see are all around 275 mph

Spitfire V : Cruising speed 322 mph at 20000 ft
Spitfire PR.XI Cruising speed: 369 mph
Spitfire IXB Cruising Speed: 324 mph (522km/h) at 20,000 ft (6,100m)
Spitfire XIV Cruising speed: 362 mph at 20,000 ft

http://www.xs4all.nl/~fbonne/warbirds/ww2htmls/supespitfire.html among others.

Jester · « **Reply #8 on:** November 16, 2003, 03:52:54 AM »

Would like to see the "missing" ventral .303 machine gun put in the BOSTON III where it belongs.

Cannot understand why it was left out. Should be easy to add on. Would give the Boston a "little" chance against low 6 enemy a/c.

Furball · « **Reply #9 on:** November 16, 2003, 05:52:02 AM »

I would like the option of the 4 hispano gun pack that the RAF used on it during intruder operations (by 418 squadron among others)

HoHun · « **Reply #10 on:** November 16, 2003, 06:35:05 AM »

Hi Davidpt40,

>109f3 cruised at 310mph? Wasn't the P51s cruising speed 190mph?

Though I don't have any explicit data, I figure (relying on an RLM Me 109F-2 data sheet and the DB601N's power curve) that the Me 109F-2's maximum cruise speed was in the region of 367 mph at 23000 ft.

The Mustang had a maximum cruise speed of 370 mph at that altitude, and of 385 mph at 30000 ft due to its better high-altitude capabilities.

These are not economical cruise speed values though, and so they're quite a bit higher than the cruise speeds seen normally which are optimized for range.

Still, the lowest value for the Mustang's maximum air range cruise speed was 200 mph at low altitude, so the 190 mph you're quoting appear a bit low.

Regards,

Henning (HoHun)

Widewing · « **Reply #11 on:** November 16, 2003, 10:30:55 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by frank3
wasn't it the idea to outrun the enemy fighters cause lack of firepower?
ok, 250 mph is pretty fast, but almost every fighter can outrun it tho

You have to place the Boston into it's proper perspective. As an early war bomber, it was very fast and very difficult to intercept, much like the Mosquito was a few years later.

When the BoB scenario is up in the CT the Boston is added as a replacement for the Blenheim and Hampden. However, it is much faster than either of those. The net result is that it's very difficult to intercept and impossible to catch in a tail chase below 10k. You sit there in your 109E or 110C and watch the Boston simply check out. Remember, the Boston III is a 342 mph bomber. It's sort of like the Arado 234 in the MA; without a significant altitude advantage, you will not catch it.

My regards,

Widewing

Furball · « **Reply #12 on:** November 16, 2003, 11:26:11 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Widewing
You have to place the Boston into it's proper perspective. As an early war bomber, it was very fast and very difficult to intercept, much like the Mosquito was a few years later.

Quote

Entering service with Bomber Command in July 1941, the Boston was well liked by its crews which flew it in the light day bomber role.

Quote

The first bomber version, the B.IV first flew in the following September and the first deliveries to No 105 Squadron at Swanton Morley followed in November 1941.

Mossie bomber was available only a few months later