Dambusters: Building the Bouncing Bomb
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Also interested to know how the wartime bomb was spun. Wiki mentions that it was spun by an "auxiliary motor" - but was this electrical? Or thermic? If electrical presumably they had to modify the aircraft electrical systems fairly extensively?
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Somewhere Sunny
As one who knows about such things, I wasn't at all surprised that there was soliflucation around the sides of the dam - there were no discernable abutments to anchor the dam wall to the sides of the incision. Presumably these were not deemed necessary because of the err, short operational life of the model dam.
Excellent flying in that DC4 (?) - distance shots reminded me of the CP107 Argus (based on the Britannia). I remember seeing one as a cadet in the eraly 1970s.
Excellent flying in that DC4 (?) - distance shots reminded me of the CP107 Argus (based on the Britannia). I remember seeing one as a cadet in the eraly 1970s.
PPatRoN
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: England
In terms of telling the story, not as good as 1954, I thought, and with too much pretending-not-to-know-things.
But my hat is off to the good prof for getting a film company to fund him to have such fun with some big, expensive toys.
adr
But my hat is off to the good prof for getting a film company to fund him to have such fun with some big, expensive toys.
adr
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: 58-33N. 00-18W. Peterborough UK
Spinning? Top of my head - Back-spin was to be initiated 10 minutes prior to arrival at a target, and was imparted via a belt driven by a Vickers Jassey hydraulic motor mounted forward of the bomb's starboard side, the motor itself being powered by the hydraulic system normally intended for the upper gun turret, which had been removed as part of the aircraft's modification.
Wiki really.
Bouncing bomb - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wiki really.
Bouncing bomb - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joined: May 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
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From: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
I thought that Dr Hunt's assistant should really have been in a period uniform, complete with correct hosiery. BEags would have liked that
I agree about height keeping. Although the pilot flew very accurately, I would have thought that a rad alt might have been advisable. The weighted dangling string idea would have been just as unsuccessful as it was in 1943 when it simply flew more or less level with the aircraft due to drag on the weight and string.
Perhaps PN might remember as he was probably around at the time, but surely the Upkeep weapon was only spun up shortly before the attack run. I seem to recall having read (or maybe I saw it on TV) that the rotation caused massive vibration through the airframe when the weapon was at pre-drop rotational velocity.
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From: 58-33N. 00-18W. Peterborough UK
Which reminds me. My Uncle Arthur was a Lancaster gunner with 630 Squadron out of East Kirkby; 32 Ops, 216 operational hours. Anyway, a few years after the war ended he and his brother, my Dad, were shooting the ‘breeze’ and I have a memory of one story from Arthur.
When 617’s first bombs were delivered to Lincolnshire they’d been transported in very substantial hard-wood cases. I seem to remember teak being mentioned. The intention was that the empty cases would be sent back to Vickers for more bombs. When nothing had arrived back Vickers telephoned to ask why.
The reason – some enterprising Scampton armourers had rapidly converted bits of Oriental rain forest into a new bar for the Sergeants’ Mess.
True? It is for me.
When 617’s first bombs were delivered to Lincolnshire they’d been transported in very substantial hard-wood cases. I seem to remember teak being mentioned. The intention was that the empty cases would be sent back to Vickers for more bombs. When nothing had arrived back Vickers telephoned to ask why.
The reason – some enterprising Scampton armourers had rapidly converted bits of Oriental rain forest into a new bar for the Sergeants’ Mess.
True? It is for me.
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From: due south
I have read that the bomb was spun up not less than 10 minutes prior to anticipated drop time.
Several pilots commented on the severe vibration when it was spinning at 500rpm; one said it so bad he could hardly read the instrument panel.
Several pilots commented on the severe vibration when it was spinning at 500rpm; one said it so bad he could hardly read the instrument panel.
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: UK
I think it was a submarine steering auxiliary motor, Vickers 4 cylinder.
Once loaded and fitted in place the mine was initially intended to be spun by a Ford V8 engine but this was not implemented, Instead the hydraulic supply normally used for the mid-upper turret [removed of course on the Type 464 provisioning aircraft] was used to power a Vickers "Janny" hydraulic motor [originally believed to have been designed, for the steering gear of submarines] the speed of rotation being controlled by the W/Op who monitored a rev counter and controlled the hydraulic pressure via a control valve to a gearbox and pulley which drove a rubber belt and spun the bomb via a pulley. When the bomb was to be released two spring loaded arms which held it in place were allowed to flip outwards under spring pressure allowing the mine to drop
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: 58-33N. 00-18W. Peterborough UK
ninja lewis. It's Vickers Jassey - not Janny.
Just as well it wasn't used for real. Obviously a dud. 
Trim Stab. I'd forgotten how funny that was. Genius.
One of the actual trial bombs is displayed
Trim Stab. I'd forgotten how funny that was. Genius.
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: UK
Excellent prog...especially when you consider the dross that passes for TV these days.
I loved the "hurry and wait" bit as they went for the live drop, with associated goatf**k over the unbalanced bomb. Most on here will have seen similar during their time in the mob.
If you've not read it I strongly recommend "Dambusters" by Max Arthur, Virgin Books 2009. A gripping series of eyewitness accounts, including people like the AA commander from one of the Moehne Dam towers. What comes over in this book is not just the incredible skill of the crews, but also what a ruthless bunch Gibson had turned them into. Many of the gunners took extra ammo as a low level run in and out of Germany was just too good a "shoot em up" opportunity to be missed.
Interesting to note that Scheer never understood why they did not come back and bomb the crap out of the repairs to finish the dams off. As it was the effect on industry was negligable, but the moral boost was immense.
I loved the "hurry and wait" bit as they went for the live drop, with associated goatf**k over the unbalanced bomb. Most on here will have seen similar during their time in the mob.
If you've not read it I strongly recommend "Dambusters" by Max Arthur, Virgin Books 2009. A gripping series of eyewitness accounts, including people like the AA commander from one of the Moehne Dam towers. What comes over in this book is not just the incredible skill of the crews, but also what a ruthless bunch Gibson had turned them into. Many of the gunners took extra ammo as a low level run in and out of Germany was just too good a "shoot em up" opportunity to be missed.
Interesting to note that Scheer never understood why they did not come back and bomb the crap out of the repairs to finish the dams off. As it was the effect on industry was negligable, but the moral boost was immense.
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Surrey Hills
The reason why the A26 was included is a mystery [other than an editor that doesn't have any interest in aeroplanes].
Vídeo en VIDEOS.es
Painful to watch.....
The DC4 pilot was a law unto himself wasn't he? Flew at a height He decided was suitable. Released the bomb late and as a result the bomb hit the dam with far too much speed and his comment at the end said it all. I would like to have seen him do the drop at night with gunfire raking the aircraft.........
"We showed those Englishmen we can hit it with the first shot."
Big mouth Captain Arnie.........
Biased because my Father worked for Barnes Wallis and Vickers during WW2
Vídeo en VIDEOS.es
Painful to watch.....
The DC4 pilot was a law unto himself wasn't he? Flew at a height He decided was suitable. Released the bomb late and as a result the bomb hit the dam with far too much speed and his comment at the end said it all. I would like to have seen him do the drop at night with gunfire raking the aircraft.........
"We showed those Englishmen we can hit it with the first shot."
Big mouth Captain Arnie.........
Biased because my Father worked for Barnes Wallis and Vickers during WW2