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Posted by EmeraldJumpingLOL (U6532829) on Monday, 18th February 2008
I'm sure you've all heard of the dam busters
But what still and constantly amazes me is how they managed to devise a bomb that could 'skip' across water with such low-tech equitment!
Does anyone have the answer to my question?
have you never skimmed a stone over water before...?
Ones forgets one thing. Barns Wallace. The man was well ahead of his time.
Didn't he get the idea from Nelson, who used to "bowl yorkers" at the French ships?
I think navies were bouncing cannon balls at each other for centuries before Barnes Wallace managed it.
The clever bit was the backspin that made it sink down the wall of the dam, making it so effective.
Dont bad mouth Barnes Wallace... as he said to the man at the ministry, when asked why the war department should let him have a Lancaster Bomber... 'you could tell them, I designed it!!!
That shut the rotten rubber desk johnny up, me thinks!!!
, in reply to message 2.
Posted by EmeraldJumpingLOL (U6532829) on Monday, 18th February 2008
Stoggler,
I like your points
Thanks for the info:D
Jaffa
, in reply to message 3.
Posted by EmeraldJumpingLOL (U6532829) on Monday, 18th February 2008
GrumyFred,
I suppose I did forget about Barns Wallace
Jaffa
, in reply to message 5.
Posted by EmeraldJumpingLOL (U6532829) on Monday, 18th February 2008
1507George,
Yes, I 100% agree with the backspin bit, 'twas a very clever
Jaffa
He designed the Wellington, while working for Vickers. The Lancaster was an Avro Aircraft.
, in reply to message 6.
Posted by EmeraldJumpingLOL (U6532829) on Monday, 18th February 2008
Amphion,
Totally!
Jaffa
Sorry, GrumpyFred. My comment was based on my own locality, more than any historical fact.
Was Vickers based at Barrow, or was that just a branch of a bigger national company?
And why did they never build a bomber called the Cromwell? or the Disraeli Arrow
You are thinking of Vickers, the ship building company. Up to the 50s, this company was awash with great Aircraft companies. Bristol Glouster Avro Vicker Westland Handly Page Shorts Boulton Paul (Who went on to make their mark with the ejection seat) Fairey Supermarine. All independant companies
, in reply to message 13.
Posted by LongWeekend (U3023428) on Tuesday, 19th February 2008
Vickers was the great arms firm Vickers-Armstrong, who had their fingers into every pie from battleships, and battleship guns, through aircraft, and bombs, to tanks and machine guns.
In WWII terms, they had two aircraft companies, who traded under their own names. One was Vickers itself, who produced bombers from the original Vimy to the Wellington/Warwick, and bombs including Wallis's bouncing bomb, and the Grand Slam and Tallboy.
The other firm carved its own niche. That was Supermarine, who came up with flying boats and, of yes, the Spitfire.
Vickers also produced the A9 and A10 tanks, and then concentrated on the Valentine (improved A10). Pity, they might have done rather better than Nuffield with the cruisers.
But the thing that outlasted them all was the Vickers .303 MMG.
, in reply to message 13.
Posted by EmeraldJumpingLOL (U6532829) on Tuesday, 19th February 2008
Thanks for all your comments
The Vickers was a copy of the Maxim.
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