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Author Topic: Post interesting aircraft trivia  (Read 810 times)

Offline SunTracker

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Post interesting aircraft trivia
« on: March 09, 2005, 02:29:17 PM »
(1) The F4U was originally designed with bombays in the wings, to drop 30-50lb bombs on enemy bombers.

(2)The landing gear doors on the P-51 would sometimes pop open in high speed dives, ripping the wing off the aircraft.

(3)Early models of the P-38 carried a 37mm cannon.

(4)Specially equipped radar versions of the B25H were very accurate.  On one trial, a b25 locked onto the steel mast of a wooden sailing ship.  From several thousand yards distance, the B25H severed the steel mast in two with a 75mm round.

(5) The B-25 was the first aircraft equipped with an aerial flamethrower.

(6)  B-17s were originally equipped with an electronic ball turret.  The gunner knelt on his knees and aimed the turret with a periscope.  A manned turret replaced this system after gunners kept puking from getting motion sickness staring through the periscope.

(7) The first jet engine was built in 1911.
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Offline BaDkaRmA158Th

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Post interesting aircraft trivia
« Reply #1 on: March 09, 2005, 02:42:12 PM »
"The B-25 was the first aircraft equipped with an aerial flamethrower."

WHAT!? :aok
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Offline JB73

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Re: Post interesting aircraft trivia
« Reply #2 on: March 09, 2005, 03:03:52 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by SunTracker
(5) The B-25 was the first aircraft equipped with an aerial flamethrower.
LMFAO!!1

like sharks with lazers on their head....
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Offline frank3

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« Reply #3 on: March 09, 2005, 03:29:34 PM »
Those are some funny and awkward facts SunTracker, thanks for sharing!
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Offline Maverick

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« Reply #4 on: March 09, 2005, 03:56:34 PM »
Where is the info on the B25 flamethrower??? I assume it was a rearward firing device. Either that or the tail gunner had a massive gas attack! :eek:
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Offline JB73

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« Reply #5 on: March 09, 2005, 04:03:32 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Maverick
I assume it was a rearward firing device.
2 thoughts:

[list=1]
  • imaging saddling up on the 6 in a 190 thinking the tail gunner is asleep, getting nice and close for a sure shot.
  • if it was rear firing, the gas tanks mush have been close. can you think of anything more volitale to shoot at?
    • [/list=1]
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Offline GtoRA2

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« Reply #6 on: March 09, 2005, 04:15:32 PM »
1A. The Corsair-1 and -1a had a window in the belly to help aim those bombs.  ALso prolly the reason it had no cockpit floor.
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Offline BUG_EAF322

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« Reply #7 on: March 09, 2005, 07:30:24 PM »
Didnt the germanss had this flamethrower at the battle of britain?
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Offline Jester

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« Reply #8 on: March 09, 2005, 07:41:45 PM »
1.The rear cockpit armor on early F4F-4 WILDCAT's only came down to the bottom of the pilot's seat.

Marine Ace Joseph Foss stated there was no way to keep a ZERO off you tail 1 vs. 1. If you found yourself in that position you put your feet up on the dashboard (to protect your legs) and try to make him run out of ammunition or keep him moving untill a wingman could come to your aid.

2. The "Special" 800kg bombs carried by the Hi-Level Bombing KATE's during the Attlack on Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941 were actually 16" AP shells from the Japanese Battleships Nagato and Mutsu. The shells were fitted with fins and drop schakles so they could be carried by the aircraft.
« Last Edit: March 09, 2005, 07:54:38 PM by Jester »
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Offline Holden McGroin

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Re: Post interesting aircraft trivia
« Reply #9 on: March 09, 2005, 10:14:05 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by SunTracker
(7) The first jet engine was built in 1911.


First aviation use, yes...

 

but in 1903 - Aegidius Elling of Norway built the first successful gas turbine using both rotary compressors and turbines - the first gas turbine with excess power.
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Offline Guppy35

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Re: Post interesting aircraft trivia
« Reply #10 on: March 10, 2005, 12:53:58 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by SunTracker


(3)Early models of the P-38 carried a 37mm cannon.

.


The P38D was supposed to carry a 37mm cannon but it never did operationally.  The opening for it was covered over.

The E model on had the 20mm in the nose with the 4 50s

Now if you want important P38 trivia, it should be noted that 80th FS Headhunter pilots determined that 58 Fifths of Spirits could be carried in various compartments in the P38.

This helped the Headhunters be one of the most well stocked and well oiled squadrons in New Guinia :)

Dan/CorkyJr
« Last Edit: March 10, 2005, 12:58:56 AM by Guppy35 »
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Offline SunTracker

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« Reply #11 on: March 10, 2005, 03:07:26 AM »
A squadron based in San fransisco flew P38s that had 37mm cannons.  I believe I read it in Coont's book.
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Offline Crumpp

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« Reply #12 on: March 10, 2005, 03:56:52 AM »
There was a flamethrower attachment for the FW-190.

All the best,

Crumpp
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Offline MiloMorai

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« Reply #13 on: March 10, 2005, 05:46:12 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by Crumpp
There was a flamethrower attachment for the FW-190.

All the best,

Crumpp


And the Ju 88A-4.
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Offline BUG_EAF322

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« Reply #14 on: March 10, 2005, 06:15:24 AM »
On discovery there was something about a hurrican pilot who rammed a do-17 near buckinham palace.

They told he got some oil on his windscreen of a non workin flame thrower
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