Author Topic: Wingtip vapor trails (Read 1990 times)

Nuke33 · « **on:** February 01, 2005, 02:18:43 AM »

I've been searching all over the internet for a picture of a WWII aircraft producing wingtip vapor trails, and I can't seem to find any.. Is that because none of them could produce them like modern day fighters?

bunch · « **Reply #1 on:** February 01, 2005, 02:33:12 AM »

In many books I've read by USAAF WW2 pilots, they have stated that in their 1st squadron (which really was more like post- advanced training, usually flying P-39s stationed in the ZI or Panama) you were consided a sissy if you didnt pull contrails on your downwind to base turn.

nuchpatrick · « **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2005, 07:44:35 AM »

I recall reading that as well Bunch. A book I recall reading even states you couldn't land untill you did pull contrails. This was down the road from where I live. It was called Zellwood Air Station,now its called Bob White Field.... The airport is still in service, its a single strip that run north to south. They run small private aircraft some smaller twins. Its a shame they just tore a whole mess of it down for renovation. It got beat up due to the hurricanes we had..

GRUNHERZ · « **Reply #3 on:** February 01, 2005, 07:54:04 AM »

IIRC the Pearl harbor movie "Tora Tora Tora" has sme great shots of P40s making vapor trails in their live dogfight scenes with the Zeros.

Maverick · « **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2005, 08:59:12 AM »

I also saw the P40 with wingtip vapor trails in the movie tora tora. It was just on the other night and I didn't expect them to pull that hard on a warbird like that for a movie.

eddiek · « **Reply #5 on:** February 01, 2005, 09:15:48 AM »

I've got the "Thunderbolt" VHS from the History Channel and there is footage in it showing Jugs pullin G's and leaving the vapor trails, so yes, they were more than capable of maneuvering hard enough to produce them............

Red Tail 444 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 01, 2005, 09:41:23 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by GRUNHERZ
IIRC the Pearl harbor movie "Tora Tora Tora" has sme great shots of P40s making vapor trails in their live dogfight scenes with the Zeros.

AWWWWW you beat me to it....great fight scenes, indeed...must have been a hoot for the pilots

Masherbrum · « **Reply #7 on:** February 01, 2005, 10:04:26 AM »

Wonder if Robert Conrad pulled enough G's in the Corsair?

Karaya

slimm50 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 01, 2005, 10:07:54 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Masherbrum
Wonder if Robert Conrad pulled enough G's in the Corsair?

Karaya

Nuke33 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 01, 2005, 12:14:45 PM »

Well since WWII fighters were capable of producing them, I think it would be a pretty cool addition in AH.. What do you guys think?

john9001 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 01, 2005, 12:47:51 PM »

i don't think it had to do with "G's", it's humid air and the drop in air press at the wing tip vortices.

i have seen F1 cars pull vapor trails off their rear wings in damp weather.

Furball · « **Reply #11 on:** February 01, 2005, 12:48:16 PM »

there was a me-262 pilot that was famous for his vapour trail routine, he would pull a tight turn, then trim it to turn even tighter to produce big trails off the wingtips.

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At reduced speed the Me 262 was, like the 109, easy to manoeuvre, with leading edge slats extended and the nicest of condensation trails at the wingtips. At relatively high humidity and high speed straight and level flights there were event fog banks across the entire wing which, when at low level, could even be seen from the ground.

Lt Fritz RG Muller known as 'Kondens Muller' (vapour-trail Muller) III./JG7

slimm50 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 01, 2005, 01:27:22 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Nuke33
Well since WWII fighters were capable of producing them, I think it would be a pretty cool addition in AH.. What do you guys think?

Il2-FBAEP has 'em. They're cool as chit.

bunch · « **Reply #13 on:** February 01, 2005, 01:28:45 PM »

I remember now reading about 'ol Kondens Muller, but cant remember where...the zekes in Tora Tora Tora, those werent real zekes, were they? I've always assumed they were AT-6s

slimm50 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 01, 2005, 01:32:17 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by bunch
I remember now reading about 'ol Kondens Muller, but cant remember where...the zekes in Tora Tora Tora, those werent real zekes, were they? I've always assumed they were AT-6s

I think practically all flying zekes today are reproductions, made from AT-6s (I think). There may be 1 authentic Zeke, I'm not sure.