neillyRE: Best American Fighter?
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 07-12-01 AT 11:16 AM (GMT)]Christer,
I like a good discussion, not only to learn more about aviation etc., but it’s always interesting to see what directions they sometimes go.
I agree about the Lanc. but it was a means of escape at night(if they were lucky) & breaking contact with the enemy night fighter. It certainly wouldn’t work in day light. There’s a very interesting video set called ‘Warriors of the Night’ which actually shows the ‘Corkscrew’, the night fighter, for the simulation is an A-26. It shows night fighter operations & detections from both sides.
I didn’t realise my details were hidden, not being that computer literate & not having much time on my hands, I’m not even sure how to put them up. Same as putting pictures up on the site, it would be nice if someone would tell me how.
As for the technical stuff, I for one, am always interested, so don’t hesitate. I always like to put in actual details (if I can) when making a relevant point. I find that a single sentence remark is usually fairly meaningless.
Best wishes,
Neilly
ps. Are you the same Christer that does the Tempest web site?
neillyRE: Best American Fighter?
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 06-12-01 AT 11:21 AM (GMT)]Dear All,
I make no apology for using the Mosquito to put across certain arguements! The problem is, I have alot of data on this aeroplane so it’s easier for me to use as a ‘role model’. I find the lack of hard data, coming from other parties, makes it difficult to have constructive discussions. I’ve already said as much in other posts!!! As regard the comments I made concerning Gen. Arnold, it was in the context, that even He did not rate the P-38 that highly & was prepared to get hold of better equipment for the USAAC! Even if it meant British aeroplanes, in his air force. The point I’m trying to make is, to judge how good a particular aeroplane is, you not only have to look at data, but what the pilots think of it, your Allies & more to the point your enemies, think of it! The question is “what is the best” not “what is your favourite”, which at the end of the day, it always seems to come down too!
As for the technical stuff- Bring on them Reynolds Numbers, Power/weight ratios, wing loads, aerofoil sections. Just make it interesting!
The night fighter pilot would have been looking at what was happening in front of his aeroplane & relying on information from his radar operator for directions.
OH! By the way SHE is a HE! Well I was last time I looked!
Pedantically yours,
Neilly
ps I don’t get upset (‘cos I’m naturally bitter & twisted. Only joking)I do however like a good discussion. I think Keymags have done us proud with this site, which I feel is sometimes not used to it’s full potential. There are exceptions & I think that Philo is doing a cracking job with his photos.
Neilly
neillyRE: Best American Fighter?
Christer, I don’t disagree with anything you’ve said. However, you seem to have forgotten about wing area & wing loading. Just because something is big & heavy doesn’t mean it cannot have reasonable turning capabilities. I’m thinking of the Lancaster & corkscrew turning to out turn the enemy night fighters.
There are also other little tecniques to help turn certain aeroplanes quicker. The Mosquito could increase it’s turn rate by opening the radiator flaps, (a sort of early vectored thrust).
Regards,
Neilly
neillyRE: Inside TFC’s Beaufighter
Looks good enough to me, Steve. It’s come out well.
Neilly
neillyRE: Best American Fighter?
Ant,
I have to disagree with you a little bit. I don’t think the P-38 was as good as the P-51 or P-47. I bring to your attention- In late 1943 there were some unofficial tests at Boscombe Down, the aircraft tested were- P-47, P-51, P-38 (& dare I say it)the Mosquito. In these tests the P-38 performed well below the standards of the other three aircraft. Not my words Alexander McKee- who was there.
Also: When Maj.Gen. Hap Arnold came to Britain with his USAAC he wanted to get rid of his P-38’s in favour of the Mosquito, because it was so superior! He wanted 300 Mosquitoes (which he never got), the RAF were offered Vultee Vengence aeroplanes in exchange (big deal!!!),to replace the Mosquitoes.
Neilly
ps.
My vote goes to the P-51 for the reasons given in other posts, but also- the sound of a Merlin just gives this aeroplane that little bit of something else! Not very scientific, but what the hell!!!
N.
neillyRE: One day…
I’ll vote for North Coates!
Neilly
neillyRE: Picture of the day 01/12/01
I’ll say one thing for you Philo, you take a mean photograph. Some really good shots!
Keep it up,
Neilly
neillyRE: any fighters or bombers?
Having just read, Day of the Typhoon, by John Golley. It would seem that the Typhoon should have been represented on many occasions,especially at Mortain & The Battle of the Bulge (even though they would have been animated!).
BoB was an excellent series, in my view anyway (I’ve not seen the last episode, yet).
Neilly
neillyRE: Mosquito at Gardermoen?
Back again,
Just had a few more thoughts on this photo. I ‘ve been to Norway several times over the years & I haven’t seen much flat land. The background seems very flat & not much scenery. Another thought, ErikH doesn’t say who took the photo, apart from it came via his friend. So, if it was taken by a relative, who was in the Free Norwegian Air Force, which had quite a few members based at Banff, perhaps they could have taken the picture. Which is where I think this picture was taken.
I have a Mosquito video, which has a large part of it looking at the Banff Wing & anti-shipping strikes. On one of the take-off scenes there are some large hangers in the background, I dig it out & have a look.
Neilly
neillyRE: Mosquito at Gardermoen?
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 28-11-01 AT 10:07 AM (GMT)]Hi All,
Ant is correct about the Mosquito & also the reason it’s sitting on that pan. I have a seen a similar picture, in one of my books (but like all things when you want it, can’t find it!), this is of a Beaufighter on a similar set up.
If you look at 14 Sqds. history you might reconsider where the picture was taken. Looking at things chronologically:
25/05/45 143 Sqd. disbanded at Banff
01/06/45 14 Sqd. disbanded at Chivenor. Reformed at Banff. (14 Sqd. had been flying Wellington XIV’s for Coastal Command). Mosquito FB VI’s used for anti-shipping operations.
31/05/46 14 Sqd disbanded at Banff.
01/06/46 128 Sqd disbanded at Wahn. 14 sqd. Reforms at Wahn. Mosquito BXVI’s & later B35’s are now on Squadron strenght. FB VI’s no longer on Sqd. charge.
If the Mosquito in the picture was in Norway then it would have had to have been there between 01/06/45 & 31/05/46. There are several reasons it could have been there, goodwill visit (just after the War, plenty ‘Cooks Tours’ going on) or it could have been on exercise/practicing anti-shipping strikes. Plenty of half sunken German ships in many fjords, to practice on.
All the best,
Neilly.
neillyRE: No more heroes………
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 25-11-01 AT 06:29 PM (GMT)]Just finished reading ‘My Part of the Sky’ by R-B, excellent book. I thought I’d copied the paragraph, underneath, to give a brief idea of what the books like! (taken from the Tempest web-site). A damn good read.
“Reaching Newchurch airfield at 480 mph I held “RB” down to 20 ft from the runway and then pulled her up to a 60 ° climb holding it as the speed dropped slowly off and the altimeter needle spun round the dial as if it were mad. At 7000 ft the speed was dropping below 180 mph and I rolled the Tempest lazily inverted, then allowed the nose to drop until the horizon, at first above my head, disappeared below (or rather above) the now inverted nose, the fields and woods steadied into the centre of the windscreen and then whirled around as I put the stick hard over and rolled around the vertical dive. Steadying again I pulled out over the tree tops at 500 mph, throttled back and pulled hard over towards the airfield in an over-the-vertical climbing turn, lowering the wheels and flaps in a roll as the speed dropped. What a magnificent aeroplane! They could have all their Spitfires and Mustangs!”
(“My part of the sky”, Roland Beamont)
If this gets the hairs standing up on the back of your neck- the rest of the book is in the same sort of vain!!!
A great pilot, who’ll be sadly missed.
Neilly
neillyRE: any fighters or bombers?
I’ve just watched Friday nights episode & like you say, Rabie, very chilling & emotional.
I think the difference between Private Ryan & BoB is the time frame. P.Ryan is obviously a shorter film, but also covers only a small part of the War. I think they are both excellent in their own right.
I agree with Ant, over the use of real & animated aeroplanes. The only major disappointment in BoB was the animated Dakotas in the parachute drop scenes (looked like something out of pre Thunderbirds!). I’ve also had a look at the ‘Mosquitoes’ flying over scene & I’m sure that’s what they’re supposed to be!
Regards,
Neilly
neillyRE: Picture of the day
With regard to the Mosquito: The TFC & The Mosquito Museum, Mosquitoes are being scanned for wood deterioration. They are both in acceptable condition. However, the scans do not show what condition the glue is in. This is the main problem. Wether we’ll ever see a flying Mosquito again in this country, I don’t know, but I think unlikely, but I live in hope!
Neilly
neillyRE: Picture of the day
Come on tell us less computer literate beings, how to post piccies. Then we can all play!
AND, yes it is good to see RR 299 again! I somehow feel that the likes of a Mosquito flying over in the skies over Britain are long past.
Very nice picture.
Neilly
neillyRE: Shoot down totals
Hi Ant,
I guess you’re right. I was just interested, having brought it up on a recent posting, prior to that I’d never given it much thought! I know the difficulties in verifying claims, & again you’re quite correct.
Best wishes,
Neilly
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