RE: Knowledge Quiz for Warbird wiz
 

Sounds as though you're describing Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) and one of the aircraft modified to carry the equipment and be utilized in that role. How about the Douglas A-3 Skywarrior; which had its career extended because it could be easily modified to carry the equipment and operators? Thanks; Ernie P.


The Douglas A-3 Skywarrior was originally designed as a strategic bomber for the United States Navy and was among the longest serving carrier-based jet aircraft in history. It entered service in the mid-1950s and was retired in 1991. For many years after its introduction, it was also the heaviest aircraft to enter operational status operating from an aircraft carrier, earning it its unofficial nickname: "The Whale". Its primary function for much of its later service life was as an electronic warfare platform, tactical air reconnaissance platform, and high capacity aerial refueling tanker.

The early A-3 variants had a crew of three: pilot, bombardier/navigator (BN) and crewman/navigator (aka: third crewman). An unusual cockpit configuration was incorporated with the three crew sitting under a framed canopy. In the raised compartment, the pilot and bombardier/navigator sat in a side-by-side arrangement with the pilot's station on port side having full flight controls. On initial variants, a third crew member, who also acted as a gunner for the twin tail-mounted 20mm cannons that equipped early versions of the A3D/A-3B, sat behind the duo in an aft-facing seat. The third crewman station had the sextant for celestial navigation and the defensive electronic counter measures equipment. Later electronic reconnaissance variants could accommodate a crew of seven with flight crew consisting of a pilot, co-pilot and navigator plus four electronic systems operators occupying stations in the former bomb bay in the sumptuous fuselage.

RE: Knowledge Quiz for Warbird wiz
 

Another good try Erinie!

I'm looking for a defensive weapon

1. The defensive measure was developed for this plane after it entered a new role later in life.
2. This weapon was discovered by an enterprising pilot.
3. The aircraft's design for its original combat role enabled easy deployment of this defensive weapon.
4. The measure was in addition to the usual chaff and flare defenses.
5. It used an offensive weapon in a defensive role.
6. This was a physical weapon as opposed to electronics counter measures.
7. Due to the era of deployment it was never tested as a defensive measure operationally, though the plane flew in combat in it very last role before retirement.

RE: Knowledge Quiz for Warbird wiz
 

Wild guess, the Vulcan bomber? Used in the Falklands war. It's shape, designed for it's initial role as a nuclear bomber, was very stealthy for it's day.

RE: Knowledge Quiz for Warbird wiz
 

Good try Al, but not quite what I was after. That said, I'm running out of clues....

I'm looking for a defensive weapon

1. The defensive measure was developed for this plane after it entered a new role later in life.
2. This weapon was discovered by an enterprising pilot.
3. The aircraft's design for its original combat role enabled easy deployment of this defensive weapon.
4. The measure was in addition to the usual chaff and flare defenses.
5. It used an offensive weapon in a defensive role.
6. This was a physical weapon as opposed to electronics counter measures.
7. Due to the era of deployment it was never tested as a defensive measure operationally, though the plane flew in combat in it very last role before retirement.
8. The measure was termed a 'retard defense' (and try googling that without getting into trouble.)

RE: Knowledge Quiz for Warbird wiz
 

It's a TURD!

See:

http://www.g2mil.com/rearbombs.htm

Attack aircraft can make a quantum leap in the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) by developing a Timed Universal Rearward Destroyer (TURD) airburst bomb.

http://www.angelfire.com/art/enchanter/turd.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackburn_Buccaneer

RAF low-level strike Buccaneers could carry what was known as "retard defence"; four 1,000 lb (453.6 kg) retarded bombs internally that could be dropped to provide an effective deterrent against any following aircraft.

RE: Knowledge Quiz for Warbird wiz
 

Well done Johnny and you're up! TURD indeed. I found this little gem when looking at the Buccaneer as a quiz question:

On one of the early Red Flag exercises a Buccaneer was intercepted by a particularly determined F5 pilot. The F5 hung on at low-level trying to get a ‘shot off’. The Buccaneer pilot decided to scare him off and dropped a practice bomb. Seeing something fall off the aircraft, the F5 broke off the attack. Subsequent analysis of the video showed that if the practice bomb had been a 1000 pound retard bomb, the F5 would have been blown out of the sky.

A 1000 pound bomb ejects debris and blast up to one thousand feet into the sky. A low-level pursuer would pass directly through this at significant risk of damage to airframe and engines. Even if the aircraft was undamaged the pilot would be rather reluctant to continue for a second helping.

It became standard practice for Buccaneers to carry four retard bombs in the bomb bay for air defence. This was called ‘Retard Defence’. This had the added advantage that these weapons could be used if additional ‘Targets of Opportunity’ were spotted on a mission.

RE: Knowledge Quiz for Warbird wiz
 

:)

OK, here goes a new aircraft:

1. It was the first model of aircraft produced after the company was re-established after WWI.

2. It was used until the end of the war in Europe, in a type of night attack that was learned from the enemy.

RE: Knowledge Quiz for Warbird wiz
 

Dornier Do 17 with Lichtenstein radar?

RE: Knowledge Quiz for Warbird wiz
 

1. It was the first model of aircraft produced after the company was re-established after WWI.

2. It was used until the end of the war in Europe, in a type of night attack that was learned from the enemy.

3. It was a biplane.

RE: Knowledge Quiz for Warbird wiz
 

The Polikarpov Po-2?

RE: Knowledge Quiz for Warbird wiz
 

Po-2?

No, but you're on the right track.

1. It was the first model of aircraft produced after the company was re-established after WWI.

2. It was used until the end of the war in Europe, in a type of night attack that was learned from the enemy.

3. It was a biplane.

4. Licensed versions were also manufactured in Spain and Turkey.

RE: Knowledge Quiz for Warbird wiz
 

Gotho Go 145 ?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gotha_Go_145

Thanks,
Zip

RE: Knowledge Quiz for Warbird wiz
 

And you're correct!

Yes, it was the Gotha Go-145.

Over to you!

RE: Knowledge Quiz for Warbird wiz
 

Hey guys!
I'm taking a bit longer than I thought to get a question going, so Ernie has volunteered to run a quickie question to help me stall for time. So thanks to Ernie, and you guys for your patience.
Thanks,
Zip

RE: Knowledge Quiz for Warbird wiz
 

Okay, Guys; this question is just to buy Zippome some time. That means it is "just for fun"; and whoever answers it doesn't get anything except satisfaction for his/her efforts. Although the question is warbird related, and therefore meets the guidelines for our questions, it is a bit unusual. So relax and have some fun with this unofficial time filler question. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: How did aircraft maintenance crews cool canned beer in WWII?

Clues:

(1) No ice was available; and the fire extinguishers were all needed for their intended use.

RE: Knowledge Quiz for Warbird wiz
 

Wet sock?

Best Regards,
=Adrian=

RE: Knowledge Quiz for Warbird wiz
 

No, Sir. See if this helps. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: How did aircraft maintenance crews cool canned beer in WWII?

Clues:

(1) No ice was available; and the fire extinguishers were all needed for their intended use.

(2) This method cooled relatively large quantities of beer very quickly.

RE: Knowledge Quiz for Warbird wiz
 

They fired up an engine and engaged the supercharger.

RE: Knowledge Quiz for Warbird wiz
 

The RAF cleaned out drop tanks and flew them in ferry planes from England over to Europe. The altitude and slipstream cooled the beer during transit.<div>
</div><div>Sadly the program was stopped when the authorities in customs demanded export duties from the breweries who had been donating the beer to the RAF in appreciation for their service. It's too bad they didn't demand the bureaucrats collect from the frontline troops! </div><div>
</div><div>Whit</div>

RE: Knowledge Quiz for Warbird wiz
 

No correct answers thus far. This may help. Aircraft maintenance crews were very clever, very ingenious; and pretty well versed in the sciences. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: How did aircraft maintenance crews cool canned beer in WWII?

Clues:

(1) No ice was available; and the fire extinguishers were all needed for their intended use.

(2) This method cooled relatively large quantities of beer very quickly.

(3) This method was performed on the ground, and did not involve the aircraft directly.

RE: Knowledge Quiz for Warbird wiz
 

Ernie,<div>
</div><div>Well it may not be the method you are quizzing about, but it was a method used!</div><div>
</div><div>Whit</div>

RE: Knowledge Quiz for Warbird wiz
 

Yes, Sir; you are correct. I've been familiar with that story for some years. But I'm looking for a specific method dreamed up and used on the ground by the maintenance crews. It's pretty impressive. Thanks; Ernie P.

RE: Knowledge Quiz for Warbird wiz
 

A new clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: How did aircraft maintenance crews cool canned beer in WWII?

Clues:

(1) No ice was available; and the fire extinguishers were all needed for their intended use.

(2) This method cooled relatively large quantities of beer very quickly.

(3) This method was performed on the ground, and did not involve the aircraft directly.

(4) This method was used in the Pacific by US crews.

RE: Knowledge Quiz for Warbird wiz
 

Another new clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: How did aircraft maintenance crews cool canned beer in WWII?

Clues:

(1) No ice was available; and the fire extinguishers were all needed for their intended use.

(2) This method cooled relatively large quantities of beer very quickly.

(3) This method was performed on the ground, and did not involve the aircraft directly.

(4) This method was used in the Pacific by US crews.

(5) It involved gasoline.

RE: Knowledge Quiz for Warbird wiz
 

And yet another new clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: How did aircraft maintenance crews cool canned beer in WWII?

Clues:

(1) No ice was available; and the fire extinguishers were all needed for their intended use.

(2) This method cooled relatively large quantities of beer very quickly.

(3) This method was performed on the ground, and did not involve the aircraft directly.

(4) This method was used in the Pacific by US crews.

(5) It involved gasoline.

(6) It involved a 55 (or similar) gallon drum.