quote

[Zigrat]

"The target was partially covered by cloud when we got there, but we could see the ground target indicators laid by the Pathfinders, and were able to bomb them accurately. The sky was bright with fire and explosions as we closed our bomb doors, and with our load lightened, we turned for home with a great sense of elation. Suddenly, the mid-upper gunner shouted over the intercom "Corkscrew port!" As I threw our lancaster into the initial diving turn  i felt the thud of cannon shell in the port wing and the shudder and noise as both my gunners fired back. After a few violent corkscrew manouvers all went quiet. I took a breath and mid-upper reported that he thought he had hit the Ju-88 which he had seen spiral away."

Flg Off Michael Beetham, No 50 Sqn, Skellinthorpe, 1943


i guess buffs were manouverable  

[Jigster]

 

Originally posted by Zigrat:
"The target was partially covered by cloud when we got there, but we could see the ground target indicators laid by the Pathfinders, and were able to bomb them accurately. The sky was bright with fire and explosions as we closed our bomb doors, and with our load lightened, we turned for home with a great sense of elation. Suddenly, the mid-upper gunner shouted over the intercom "Corkscrew port!" As I threw our lancaster into the initial diving turn  i felt the thud of cannon shell in the port wing and the shudder and noise as both my gunners fired back. After a few violent corkscrew manouvers all went quiet. I took a breath and mid-upper reported that he thought he had hit the Ju-88 which he had seen spiral away."

Flg Off Michael Beetham, No 50 Sqn, Skellinthorpe, 1943


i guess buffs were manouverable  

I suggest searching www.thehistorynet.com  for "How the Flying Porcupine got it's name"

There you see a corkscrew with a seized engine and half the crew wounded  

Americans weren't so lucky I guess. Fly deliberately out of formation (as such to preform the "corkscrew" the British technique used by hvy bombers) and you risk court marshal.

Blah.

- Jig

[funked]

If you look at the wing loading and power loading for empty BUFFs, they aren't bad at all.

[Replicant]

This is taken from the AFDU Tactical Trials Report 30 May 1942.

Corkscrew
"This evasion consists of a steep diving turn of about 30 degrees and 500ft, followed by a steep climbing turn of 30 degrees and 500ft in the opposite direction.  The manoeuvre must be as violent as possible, particularly at the top and bottom of the corkscrew, to avoid giving an easy deflection shot.  It should begin when the first fighter attacking is at 600yards and should be continued throughout the engagement unless all the fighters attacking can be clearly seen by the Controller to be out of position, when normal flight can be resumed.  This evasion is tiring for the pilot and must be stopped immediately it is clear that immediate attacks are developing.  The main advantage of corkscrewing are that the bomber can make good its course, while the fighter is given difficult deflection in two dimensions in that it has to aim in front and below during the diving turn, and in front and above during the climb.  Assessment of fighters' cine camera guns film proved in the case of Lancaster, as with other 4-engined bombers, that even the most experienced of fighter pilots who knew that the evasion was to be were able to obtain moderate results.  Height can be maintained without any extra throttle opening when the Lancaster is without bomb load, but when fully loaded slight opening is necessary to regain height in the climbing turn.  This evasion does not affect the air gunner's shooting as much as a tight turn and did not prevent them from obtaining good cine camera gun results when they became used to the movement".

Tight Turn
"The Lancaster is sufficiently manoeuvrable to be able to do a very tight turn and if this is timed correctly, a fighter who is making an attack at a fast overtaking speed is given a difficult deflection and only a short burst of fire.  Against a steep diving attack, a slightly climbing turn is advisable but against a normal stern attack, a diving turn is best as it enables the Lancaster to gain speed.  The tight turn is the best evasion against a single fighter provided that it is correctly timed - at about 600 yards - and that there is no question of shortage of petrol or other fighters coming up to engage the bomber.  Under the latter circumstances, or if more than one fighter is attacking, the corkscrew evasion is more effective, because it enables the bomber to maintain a course and height instead of flying circles".

Head-on attacks
"Were carried out against the Lancaster but were difficult to deliver owing to its high speed.  It is often possible for the Lancaster to prevent the attack developing by edging towards the fighter when it is trying to get into position. If the attack is delivered, a diving turn at about 800yards is effective and gives the fighter an extremely difficult deflection allowance.  The mid-upper gunner, who will be facing forwards for this type of attack, is given a reasonable shot".

The report continues for defending whilst in formation where they have to change the procedure slightly.

Quite a good report (lots more information in full report), obviously early with it being 1942 so it could have changed somewhat by the end of WWII.

Regards

'Nexx'