Author Topic: For the Buff Boys (Read 231 times)

Vulcan · « **on:** July 03, 2000, 06:09:00 PM »

First my condolences to HT.

Watched some interesting stuff on RAF Bomber ops over Germany last night.

The accuracy pre-1942 was 3-5% of bombs dropped landed within 5 miles of target.

Post 1942 with the introduction of Gee (guidance via radio beams), Obo (guidance via radio ranging), and H2S (ground mapping radar), all in late 1942, the RAF were able to drop bombs within 200 yards of their target.

Also interviewed gunners and more Luftwaffe night fighter interviews.

What blew me away was a Luftwaffe pilot describing how Lancasters would perform 'aerobatics' to evade searchlights and fighters, including full rolls, loops, split-S's!!!

Interesting how a lot of 'it-wasn't-possible' statements online get proved wrong with interviews with some of these old farts.

-vlkn- in

Jigster · « **Reply #1 on:** July 03, 2000, 08:08:00 PM »

The "corkscrew" was prolly the most widely taught evasive for bomber crews not in formation; in essence it was a very tight descending spiral. Chop the inner engine(s) set up a 45-60 bank with full rudder and full back on the yoke

Heard they pulled some pretty high G's that way in turns that rival a Zeke. See the "Flying Porcupine" story

- Jig

Spatula · « **Reply #2 on:** July 04, 2000, 05:18:00 AM »

Vulc, what time and channel was that on dude? I hardly ever see stuff like that on our crappy public TV.

Spat.

Vulcan · « **Reply #3 on:** July 04, 2000, 03:50:00 PM »

Sky, Discovery Channel (13), 10ish Monday nights. They are running a series of odd-ball non-mainstream WWII stuff at the moment. (IE not sissyfires and hurricanes!).

Spatula · « **Reply #4 on:** July 04, 2000, 04:52:00 PM »

Dang, i aint got sky...

Spat goes off to sulk