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Aviation History
1940
1940 - 0208.PDF
JANUARY 25, 1940. 6000-70O0FT. 2000-3000 FT From left to right the diagrams above \illustrate possible dive-bombing approaches in (i) clear weather, (2) when there aresome clouds, and (3) when there is an un- broken layer of cloud. 1,000 lb. would give good results against destroyers, light cruisers and fairly heavily armoured cruisers (e.g. the pocket battleships), its effectiveness against very large capi- tal ships is often questioned, for the thicker the bomb casing (necessary to ensure penetration) the smaller the explosive charge. As an interesting sidelight we may recall that it is neces- sary to dig down through four feet of solid earth to retrieve a small practice bomb after a diving release. The tactics of dive-bombing vary considerably according to the nature of the target and efficiency of its defences, the state of the weather and the type of aircraft employed. Diagrammatic representations of attacks under various conditions of weather are given on this page. It is advis- able where possible to attack out of the sun to handicap (Left) An American bomb-displacinggear shown diagrammatically. It is believed that this is essentially simi-lar to the type used by the U.S. Navy. anti-aircraft defences. Converging tactics may also be profitably used by formations, while single machines may adopt evasive measures before their final aiming dive. It is reported that Japanese tactical dive-bombers approach obliquely at 2,500-3,500ft., then turn sharply through 35-40 deg. before diving on the target at 60-70 deg., recovering at 1,300ft. With present machines the speed rises from 90-200 m.p.h. The escape is made in a turn. Apart from keeping his machine on the target the pilot of a dive-bomber must allow for wind which will tend to cause the bomb to fall short on up-wind approaches, wide on cross-wind attacks and over the target on down-wind dives. On its final aiming dive a dive-bomber is an excellent target for anti-aircraft gunners on the ground and may be subjected to all kinds of " hate " in the form of shrap- nel, multiple pom-pom shells and large and small-bore machine gun bullets. The French expert, Rougeron, recommends the use of shrapnel against dive-bombers, each 10 cm. shell containing about 240 bullets. These are expelled inside a relatively small cone and at a distance of about 100 yd. from the burst one bullet may be expected per square yard, whilst at 650 yd. the proportion is one bullet to about 3 sq. yd. Even should the bullets be met at an appreciable distance from the point of burst the impact velocity, due to the high speed of the diving aircraft, will accentuate the damage. Precise details of the tactics used by Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm units are, for obvious reasons, not available for publication. A Continental author- ity, however, has set out the following stages of a modern dive-bombing attack. Phase 1 is a spiral from 10,000 m. down to 1,500 m., the time being about 90 sec. if a speed of 120 m./sec is assumed. In Phase 2 the horizontal speed is reduced to 40 m./sec. while getting into position for the attack. The course during this phase is usually at 30 to 40 deg. to the direction of the final dive and the time is 10 seconds. Phase 3 is the actual dive at about 70 deg. on to the target and lasts 7 seconds. At the beginning The highly efficient flaps on the BlackburnSkua fleet fighter dive-bomber which not only improve take-off and landing quali-ties, but restrict the diving speed.
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