Ernie P.

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Next clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What WWII pilot do I describe?

Clues:

(1) One of the most successful pilots of all time.

(2) He flew for an airline before the war.

(3) He flew for a different airline after the war.

(4) He flew in three different combat theatres.

(5) He sank an enemy submarine.

perttime

Erich Rudorffer

"one of a handful who served with the Luftwaffe through the whole of World War II. He is 7th most successful fighter pilot in the history of air warfare, and currently both the oldest jet fighter ace, and the most successful ace still living. Rudorffer claimed a total of 222 victories"

For all I know, he is still alive.

Ernie P.

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That's the man; and you're up again, perttime. When I saw the bit about him working in a Finnish war movie, I wondered how long it would take you to recognize him. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What WWII pilot do I describe?

Clues:

(1) One of the most successful pilots of all time.

(2) He flew for an airline before the war.

(3) He flew for a different airline after the war.

(4) He flew in three different combat theatres.

(5) He sank an enemy submarine.

(6) One legend involved his being chased down a main street of an enemy city, flying below rooftop level.

(7) He served throughout WWII.

(8) He flew over 1,000 missions; engaged in combat over 300 times.

(9) He was forced to land or shot down more than a dozen times.

Major Erich Rudorffer (born 1 November 1917) is a German former Luftwaffe fighter ace, one of a handful who served with the Luftwaffe through the whole of World War II. He is 7th most successful fighter pilot in the history of air warfare, and currently both the oldest jet fighter ace, and the most successful ace still living. Rudorffer claimed a total of 222 victories, fighting in all the major German theaters of war, including the European and Mediterranean Theater of Operations and the Eastern Front. During the war he flew more than 1000 combat missions, was engaged in aerial combat over 300 times, was shot down by flak and enemy fighters 16 times and had to take to his parachute 9 times. His 222 aerial victories include 58 heavily armoured Il-2 Sturmovik ground attack aircraft. He was also responsible for sinking a British submarine.

Rudorffer got his first victory over a Curtiss Hawk 75, on 14 May 1940. He scored eight more times before the capitulation of France. He flew throughout the Battle of Britain, and legend has him being pursued down Croydon High Street below rooftop level by a Hurricane. He achieved his nineteenth victory on 1 May 1941; he was then awarded the Ritterkreuz and appointed Staffelkapitän of 6./JG 2 the following month. By the end of December 1941 he had claimed 40 kills.

In 1942 Rudorffer participated in Operation Cerberus (Channel Dash) and flew over the Allied landings at Dieppe in August 1942. After 45 victories in November 1942 his unit was transferred south to Sicily and later Tunisia. On 9 February 1943 Rudorffer claimed to have defeated 8 British pilots during a 32-minute aerial battle, and collected his first with multiple victories. Again on 15 February he was victorious over 7 allied aircraft. Among his victories over North Africa are 10 Allied bombers.
In July 1943 Hauptmann Rudorffer was appointed to command II./JG 54 on the Eastern Front. He claimed his first victory here on 7 August. Due to the experience gained by fighting the RAF he achieved incredible success. During his first sortie on 24 August 1943, 5 Soviet aircraft were downed in 4 minutes. On 11 October 1943 Erich Rudorffer wrote history when during 17 minutes he claimed 13 kills.

Erich Rudorffer earned his nickname Fighter of Libau on 28 October 1944 near the Latvian city of Libau. While preparing to land he spotted a Soviet task force of about 60 close air support aircraft on its way to attack Libau airfields. He broke off the landing and engaged the enemy without any backup. He drove off the attackers, shooting down nine enemy aircraft within 10 minutes.

In the winter of 1944, Major Rudorffer was trained on the Messerschmitt Me 262 Jet fighter. In February 1945 he was recalled to command I./ JG 7. Between December 1944 and beginning of April 1945 the I./JG 7 operated from the then newly-built Luftwaffe Airbase in Kaltenkirchen north of Hamburg. So he seems to have been Group Commander more or less for the one month of March 1945. Rudorffer claimed 12 victories with the Me 262, to bring his total to 222. His tally included 136 on the Eastern Front, 26 in North Africa and 60 on the Western Front including 10 heavy bombers.

He flew for Lufthansa, until two months after the beginning of World War II all pilots were transferred to the Luftwaffe. In early 1940 Rudorffer was transferred to Jagdgeschwader 2 Richthofen.

After WWII
Erich Rudorffer started out flying DC-2s and DC-3s in Australia. Later on he worked for PAN AM.
Pilots and flying students remember him as a hired PPL instructor in Lübeck, Germany, at a local flying school in the late 60s for some time, and other people recollect he later ran an auto gas station in nearby Mölln, well into the 70s. His returning to active aviation later than 1980 seems highly unlikely.

Rudorffer was one of the characters in the 2007 Finnish war movie Tali-Ihantala 1944. A Fw 190 participated, painted in the same markings as Rudorffer's aircraft in 1944.

perttime

Actually, a google search got me Erich Rudorffer ...
..........

A fighter tactics development:

1) it is generally thought that Germans put it into use before the British, giving them an advantage early in WW2. Other nations claim to have used it earlier in 1930s.

Ernie P.

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The "finger four" flying formation? Thanks; Ernie P.

A four-aircraft formation like the fingertips of a hand held horizontally. It can be either the left finger-four or the right finger-four. Also called a fingertip formation, left-hand finger-four formation, and right-hand finger-four formation.

The Finger Four formation was first used by the Germans during WWI and then reinvented by the Luftwaffe during the Spanish Civil War. It was widely accepted by all nations during WW II as the best formation for combat. The flight consisted of a leader (#1) and his wingman (#2) joined by an element leader (#3) and his wingman (#4). The flight and element leaders are the attackers and the wingman’s job is to keep their leaders aware of any threat from the rear. Look at the back of your flattened hand and you can visualize how the aircraft are generally positioned as well as how the name was derived. By flying in a more spread out manner the formation was very maneuverable and provided wider visual coverage by the wingmen to the rear. For flying in the weather or for show the formation flew much closer.

During the First World War and the inter-war years the basic unit of aircraft was three aircraft flying in "V" formation known as a "Vic" by the RAF and a "Kette" by the Germans. First World War pilots had taken to flying this formation quite far apart to make their aircraft less easily seen and to avoid collisions, but in the "parade ground" atmosphere of peace, airforces tightened up the formations. The fashion for tight formation flying displays, at the public displays that were popular between the war, accentuated this development.

When the Messerschmitt 109 was committed to the Civil War in Spain, its pilots at first flew in the old "V" formations but a shortage of the new aeroplanes forced them to fly in twos when escorting bombing raids, in order to provide cover on all sides of the bombing formations. At this time there arrived in Spain Werner Molders, who took the two aircraft formation and extended its use and moulded it into the tactics needed by the new generation of aircraft such as the Bf109.



A two aircraft formation is much easier to handle than three. If the aircraft fly far enough apart there is less chance of collision. The leader concentrates on looking ahead while the wingman's attention is to the rear, making sure an enemy aircraft does not sneak up from behind. Remember that sight is the only sense available to a fighter pilot, he cannot hear an attacker, and at the high speeds attained by aircraft like the Bf109 another aircraft can change from a small speck in the distance to an executioner sitting on your tail in just a few seconds. The best form of fighter attack has always been out of the sun, where an aircraft is very nearly impossible to see against the glare. To guard against this the pair would position themselves so that each had a clear view of the sun, unobstructed by the other.



The pair of aircraft was called a "Rotte" by the Germans. Molders expanded it into the "Schwarm", two pairs acting together. Again the aircraft flew wide apart, the two leaders looking ahead, the two wingmen concentrating on the rear. The second pair would fly behind the leader of the first pair, stepped up away from the sun. The leaders wingman would fly behind and low. One of the reasons that the time for this sort of formation had come was the availability of air to air radio. A loose formation is only possible when the pilots are freed of flying close enough to see their leader's hand signals. A loose formation is much harder to see against the sky than a tight one, the Schwarm would only close up to keep contact with each other when passing through cloud.

It was the adoption of these tactics, as much as the excellent flying qualities of the 109, that gave victory to the Germans in their early campaigns. The RAF copied the German tactics renaming the Schwarm as the "Finger-four" formation. If you look at your hand you will see the tips of your fingers, when outstretched, approximate to the positions of the aircraft in the formation.

perttime

Of course it is

... although I think of it more as the formation of two aircraft loosely staggered, vs. three in tight formation with the leader in the middle.
Then you can add more twos to increase numbers and observation capability.

In the tight formation of three, only the leader was really able to keep an eye on what is going on, while the wingmen concentrated on keeping the formation. Also, the ability to turn was limited by how hard the wingman on the inside could turn.

The loose formation of two allows both to look out for enemies. Especially enemies "from the sun" are easier to spot when the formation is more spread out. Tighter turns are also possible when each aircraft has room to turn to its full capability.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Okay; let's see if this one is easier to follow than my last. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What WWII era propeller driven aircraft was redesigned for jet propulsion?

Clues:

(1) Actually the aircraft was a pair of aircraft, of similar design.

The Raven

Do you mean the Ryan Fireball? Or are we looking for something earlier, such as the Me-262 prototype?

P-51B

My Feedback: (5)

The Bell P-59 Airacomet.

Derived from the P-39 Airacobra and P-63 King Cobra.

perttime

I can think of a couple of aircraft that were rebuilt from piston to jet power. But "pair of aircraft"?

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Sorry to be slow, guys; but life happened and it got to be a long day. My apologies. No correct answer thus far. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What WWII era propeller driven aircraft was redesigned for jet propulsion?

Clues:

(1) Actually the aircraft was a pair of aircraft, of similar design.

(2) The aircraft manufacturer was formed in the years immediately after WWI; but was really a close cousin to a well known firm that predated WWI.

Ernie P.

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To clarify: Occasionally, a manufacturer will produce two closely related aircraft; both built on the same basic platform, but with mild differences to appeal to different customers or countries. When both aircraft are produced at the same time, and a third, and derivative, aircraft is produced; how can it be said which of the original pair is the one which was developed? Thanks; Ernie P.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Just getting caught up with the clues. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What WWII era propeller driven aircraft was redesigned for jet propulsion?

Clues:

(1) Actually the aircraft was a pair of aircraft, of similar design.

(2) The aircraft manufacturer was formed in the years immediately after WWI; but was really a close cousin to a well known firm that predated WWI.

(3) The new aircraft used a Rolls-Royce jet engine.

SimonCraig1

Hawker Sea Hawk, developed from the Hawker Fury planform. Harry Hawker, the former Sopwith test pilot, bought Sopwith after they went bankrupt.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Well; that's close enough, SimonCraig1. As you said, the propeller driven Hawker Fury/Sea Fury was developed into the jet propelled Sea Hawk. In his book "Pure Luck", Tommy Sopwith explains how the British Government pushed Sopwith Aviation into bankruptcy; even though the company had enough assets to pay all its bills, which it did. Sopwith then sat down with Hawker and a few others to form Hawker Aviation. But Sopwith was very much in charge of the company for many years to come. Pure Luck is a great book, and I highly recommend it. You are up. Sir. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What WWII era propeller driven aircraft was redesigned for jet propulsion?

Clues:

(1) Actually the aircraft was a pair of aircraft, of similar design.

(2) The aircraft manufacturer was formed in the years immediately after WWI; but was really a close cousin to a well known firm that predated WWI.

(3) The new aircraft used a Rolls-Royce jet engine.

(4) The new aircraft was developed for the RAF; but was redesigned as a fleet support fighter.

(5) The cockpit was relocated to the front of the new aircraft.

(6) The original propeller design was altered to a jet design. Then, that jet version was itself substantially altered, to produce a third design. And before it went into production, yet more minor changes were made, to produce the aircraft that was eventually put into production.



ANSWER: The Hawker Fury/Sea Fury; which developed into the Sea Hawk.

In the final years of the Second World War, Hawker's design team explored jet engine technology, initially looking at "stretching" and modifying the existing Hawker Fury/Sea Fury planform fitting a mid-engine Rolls-Royce Nene jet engine and moving the cockpit to the extreme front of the fuselage, creating the P.1035. With encouragement from the Air Ministry, the design was altered substantially, with the wing losing the elliptical shape of the Fury and featuring wing-root air intakes and short bifurcated jet exhausts (which gained the name "trouser legs"). This redesign culminated in building the private venture P.1040. The unusual bifurcated jet pipe reduced jet pipe power loss and freed up space in the rear fuselage for fuel tanks, allowing the aircraft to have a longer range than many other early jets. The aircraft's fuselage fuel tanks were fore and aft of the engine giving a stable centre of gravity in flight. Initially, the P.1040 was intended for the Royal Air Force (RAF) as an interceptor, even though a top speed of only 600 mph was forecast. When in 1945 the RAF showed little interest in the project because it offered insufficient advance over jet fighters already in service such as the Gloster Meteor and de Havilland Vampire, the P.1040 was offered to the Admiralty as a fleet support fighter, the P.1046.

SimonCraig1

Thanks Ernie! I'm looking for a aircraft:

1. It was the most produced aircraft of its type.
2. This aircraft had a significant role in military expansion.

SimonCraig1

I'm looking for a aircraft:

1. It was the most produced aircraft of its type.
2. This aircraft had a significant role in military expansion of the country of origin.
3. This aircraft was manufactured in several countries.
4. The country that developed the aircraft was only the second to recognise the military potential of this type of aircraft but the first to introduce it as new form of combat (with spectacular results).

The Raven

MiG-21 was the most produced jet fighter. Manufactured by many countries. Air intercept with air-to-air missiles was one of it's primary combat roles.

SimonCraig1

Nope.....

I'm looking for a aircraft:

1. It was the most produced aircraft of its type.
2. This aircraft had a significant role in military expansion of the country of origin.
3. This aircraft was manufactured in several countries.
4. The country that developed the aircraft was only the second to recognise the military potential of this type of aircraft but the first to introduce it as new form of combat (with spectacular results).
5. Another type of aircraft was developed that made both this form of combat and this type of military aircraft obsolete .

SimonCraig1

I'm looking for a aircraft:

1. It was the most produced aircraft of its type.
2. This aircraft had a significant role in military expansion of the country of origin.
3. This aircraft was manufactured in several countries.
4. The country that developed the aircraft was only the second to recognise the military potential of this type of aircraft but the first to introduce it as new form of combat (with spectacular results).
5. Another type of aircraft was developed that made both this form of combat and this type of military aircraft obsolete .
6. This aircraft had an open cockpit

Ernie P.

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The Po-2? Used for recon, general supply and medevac? Thanks; Ernie P.

The Polikarpov U-2 or Po-2 served as a general-purpose Soviet biplane, nicknamed Kukuruznik (Russian: Кукурузник, from Russian "kukuruza" (кукуруза) for maize; thus, 'maize duster' or 'crop duster'), NATO reporting name of "Mule".[2] The reliable, uncomplicated and forgiving aircraft served as a trainer and crop-duster in peacetime as well as a low-cost ground attack, aerial reconnaissance, psychological warfare and liaison aircraft during war, proving to be one of the most versatile light combat types to be built in USSR. It is the second most produced aircraft, and the most produced biplane, in the history of aviation. More than 40,000 Po-2s were built between 1928 and 1953. It remained in production for a longer period of time than any other Soviet-era aircraft.

From the beginning, the U-2 became the basic Soviet civil and military trainer aircraft, mass produced in a "Red Flyer" factory near Moscow. It was also used for transport, and as a military liaison aircraft, due to its STOL capabilities. Also from the beginning it was produced in an agricultural aircraft variant, what earned it its nickname Kukuruznik. Although entirely outclassed by contemporary aircraft, the Kukuruznik served extensively on the Eastern Front in World War II, primarily as a liaison, medevac and general supply aircraft. It was especially useful for supplying Soviet partisans behind the front line. Its low cost and easy maintenance led to a production run of over 40,000. Manufacturing of the Po-2 in the USSR ceased in 1949, but until 1959 a number were assembled in Aeroflot repair workshops.

SimonCraig1

Right era Ernie, but I'm looking for something else.... the clues refer both to the aircraft and the type of aircraft it was. Get the second and you can easily search for the first....

I'm looking for a aircraft:

1. It was the most produced aircraft of its type.
2. This aircraft had a significant role in military expansion of the country of origin.
3. This aircraft was manufactured in several countries.
4. The country that developed the aircraft was only the second to recognise the military potential of this type of aircraft but the first to introduce it as new form of combat (with spectacular results).
5. Another type of aircraft was developed that made both this form of combat and this type of military aircraft obsolete .
6. This aircraft had an open cockpit.
7. The impression that the first actions created on their enemies resulted in them developing the same type of aircraft and developing the same combat techniques.
8. Around the same time the original developers almost totally abandoned this form of combat.

scubajohn

avro 504 bomber fighter

Ernie P.

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I'm hung up on clue 5. So few aircraft fit that clue. Thanks; Ernie P.

perttime

Zeppelin airships,
- used by WW1 Germany for bombing raids.
- used for maritime patrol