Author Topic: Quiz (Read 1370 times)

Kev367th · « **on:** July 19, 2006, 12:54:52 PM »

Was researching stuff and came across a snippet

What is considered the longest operational sortie of WWII?

(you might be very surprised).

Raptor · « **Reply #1 on:** July 19, 2006, 01:11:06 PM »

My guess would be the last raid of the war in which B29s and (it's been a while so I forgot the other large bomber used) bombed fuel refineries in Northern Japan.

Krusty · « **Reply #2 on:** July 19, 2006, 01:12:00 PM »

I don't know the specifics, but I'm guessing something like 24 hours for a coastal command or recon mission, or some such.

Bronk · « **Reply #3 on:** July 19, 2006, 01:17:35 PM »

Distance or time?

Knowing kev I'd bet it was a photo recon spit.

Bronk

Kev367th · « **Reply #4 on:** July 19, 2006, 01:21:33 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Bronk
Distance or time?

Knowing kev I'd bet it was a photo recon spit.

Bronk

Time.

Treize69 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 19, 2006, 01:22:41 PM »

I know the long runs made by the Japs from Formosa to the Phillipines were the longest to that date, but don't know the longest over all.

The 475th flew missions from the Phillipines to China though, so I know there were longer ones.

Treize69 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 19, 2006, 01:23:32 PM »

PBYs could fly patrols of over 24 hours, that'd be my guess.

Kev367th · « **Reply #7 on:** July 19, 2006, 01:26:53 PM »

As Krusty came so close -

31st July 1945
B-24
Ser # BZ862
160 Sqn
Mission to vicinity of Kotta Tiggi, South Malaya

Flew 3,735 statute miles with a airborne duration of 24hrs and 10 mins.

Mission took off 0223hrs 31 July
Landed 0243hrs 1 Aug

Did those things have toilets in them, lol .

Krusty · « **Reply #8 on:** July 19, 2006, 02:23:44 PM »

No, they did not. Some fighters had "relief tubes" -- for liquid only. You had to do the other kind it got creative -- like keeping a coffee can onboard or something, and dumping it overboard.

Kev367th · « **Reply #9 on:** July 19, 2006, 02:24:52 PM »

Creative - lol.

Mathman · « **Reply #10 on:** July 19, 2006, 02:37:15 PM »

I know several bombers were built with chemical toilets in them. I can't imagine they smell too nice though.

Krusty · « **Reply #11 on:** July 19, 2006, 04:32:11 PM »

Kev did it say what the mission was? If it was just over 24 hours I'm guessing it was low alt and cruising a LOT, with very light payload (to extend range). Even with long range the B24 has finite fuel resources, and this is well before effective aerial refueling.

Just curious.

Kev367th · « **Reply #12 on:** July 19, 2006, 06:51:04 PM »

Was a covert, sneaky beaky, insert a couple of guys mission.
Ran into problems when they got to the drop site and no 'friendly' signal lights were visible.
By the time they got around to dropping them in the rough location, the pilot had spent an extra 85 mins flying around it.

Debonair · « **Reply #13 on:** July 19, 2006, 10:05:25 PM »

a lot of C-87s (Liberator cargo/transport planes) were modofed with extra internal fuel tanks.
Most books you read by guys that were non carrier pilots in the PTO later on (say '43 & after) include a snipet about a long trip as pax in one of these it seems...

Schatzi · « **Reply #14 on:** July 21, 2006, 04:16:13 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Kev367th

Did those things have toilets in them, lol .

My Granddad flew Ju52 in WW2... they used condoms. Threw them out the window like water bombs

.