Dambusters recreation

[maxum96]

Two videos I found on Youtube of the Dambusters recreation. First video show more of the plane and the bomb. Second video shows them blowing up the dam.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJz5UdWQv-U&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJGY6ao-V9E&feature=related

[andyman64]

i watched the whole program and frankly lost a little respect for arnie ive watched the old footage of the splash taking the tail off a boston it easily could have happened to the dc4 as they were flying way too low and were hit by the splash on the last run i believe they said they were at 30ft above the water could have been a tragedy!!!!

[Mudge]

i watched the whole program and frankly lost a little respect for arnie ive watched the old footage of the splash taking the tail off a boston it easily could have happened to the dc4 as they were flying way too low and were hit by the splash on the last run i believe they said they were at 30ft above the water could have been a tragedy!!!!

Andy...Andy...Andy...Lighten up a bit, mate. It was fun to watch.

I'll take that over the "Tora, Tora, Tora" foolishness, any day.

Mudge the impressed

[andyman64]

its always fun when you get away with it watch what happens when you don,thttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JqBiMgC2Wg

[Jesse C.]

Let's try this


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JqBiMgC2Wg

[Mudge]

Let's try this


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JqBiMgC2Wg

Having watched the tests on the History channel, I didn't remember them using Mossies. After the first Mossie went in, I was expecting the rest of the pilots to ruin their chances to procreate by slamming the yoke back into their crotch. None but the last one did.

Mudge the pained

[JDK]

The Mosquitos 'skip bombing' are using 'Highball' a smaller, more original design of bouncing bomb with the spherical case.

Unlike what's implied in the illiterately captioned film, the Mosquito work was not 'training' for the 617 Sqn Dam busters raid.

The unit was 618 Sqn - and they did not get deployed because of a/ 'we' didn't want the enemy to discover a secret weapon and use it against us (the 'public' story, bunk) b/ conventional bombers using conventional bombs did nearly as well (a factor) or c/ issues with holding back British or Commonwealth units in favour of US ones in the Pacific for reasons of supply chain or glory/prestige (apparently documented) d/ suitable targets never eventuated (probably a factor).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._618_Squadron_RAF

An interesting case of a mostly-forgotten secret weapon. Some 618 Sqn four-blade engines survive in Australia.

And the fatal land accident in the film is of a twin - either an Douglas Boston / A-20 or an A-26, and again not Dam busters training. I recall the story vaguely, but don't have the details.

HTH,

[JDK]

PS - Some of the You Tube video comments seem to have some basis in fact(!) on the ship and A-26 trials.

PPS - The infamous Mosquito structural issues had nothing to do with the Highball story.

[JDK]

No problem!

Also a 'thanks' to those who posted the original links, BTW. Meant to say before.

I dont' suppose we'll see Yagen's KA114 taking on such a recreation though!

Well, it was the Kiwis who did the last 'live firing' exercise with the P-40 at Wanaka. However I'm not holding my breath...

More seriously, I'm not aware of any surviving Highball bombs or equipment (racks, the air-pressure powered spin device, etc). Anyone know?

Cheers,