During the Battle of Britain (July–September 1940), a typical formation of German He-111, Ju-88, and Do-17 bombers would cross the English Channel at about 15,000 feet.
What was the highest flying bomber in WW2?
The Henschel Hs 130 was a German high-altitude reconnaissance and bomber aircraft developed in World War II.
Henschel Hs 130.
| Hs 130 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Henschel |
| First flight | 11 April 1939 |
| Status | Prototypes only |
| Primary user | Luftwaffe |
What altitude did dive bombers drop their bombs?
The first use of dive bombing by the RFC, which had been urging its pilots to drop bombs at heights below 500 ft (150 m) in order to hit within 150 ft (46 m) of the target since February 1915, was later that year.
What altitude did B-17 bombers fly?
35,600 feet
Technical Specifications
| First flight | July 28, 1935 (prototype) |
|---|---|
| Range (max.) | 3,750 miles |
| Ceiling | 35,600 feet |
| Power | Four 1,200-horsepower Wright R-1820-97 engines |
| Accommodation | 2 pilots, bombardier, navigator, radio-operator, 5 gunners |
What altitude did German bombers fly at?
More powerful engines and better aircraft designs soon made possible specialized reconnaissance aircraft that could fly at high altitudes to avoid interception. The Germans, for example, had Rumpler two-seaters in service by 1917 that could operate as high as 24,000 feet (7,300 metres).
How high could WWII fighters fly?
32,000 ft
The engine gave the Zero a top speed of 330 MPH, although its normal cruising speed was just over 200 MPH. The aircraft also had retractable landing gear to reduce drag.
Zero Fighters.
| Maximum Speed | Maximum Altitude | Maximum Range |
|---|---|---|
| 336 mph (541 kph) | 32,000 ft (9,754 m) | 1,200 mi (1,932 km) |
How low did bombers fly in ww2?
Dropping straight down from a cruising altitude of about 15,000 feet and releasing their bombs from below 2,000 feet, these planes destroyed or damaged many battleships and aircraft carriers.
How cold did it get in ww2 bombers?
The planes were unheated and open to the outside air. The crew wore electrically heated suits and heavy gloves that provided some protection against temperatures that could dip to 60 degrees below zero.
How many G’s did dive bombers pull?
He often used 7, 8, or even 9gs, significantly reducing his pullout altitude. But during a pullout at 9g’s, a 200-pound pilot would weigh about 1,800 pounds, and every part of his body — arms, legs, head — would weigh an equivalent of nine times its normal weight. His blood would rush toward his lower extremities.
Why do dive bombers scream?
The sound was meant to be memorable, weaken the morale of the enemy, and cause mass fear of the German dive-bomber. It was so effective the sound became associated with the fast Nazi blitzkrieg across Europe and feared the world over, even across the Atlantic where newsreels entranced the American public.
Which was the better bomber B-17 or B-24?
The B-24 was a faster plane having a greater range and payload capacity. However, in the ETO, the B-24 operated with the B-17 which constrained the aircraft’s operating speed. The B17 was a sedate aircraft and placed fewer demands on the flight deck crew. The B-17 was also an easier aircraft to fly in formation.
How fast did ww2 bombers fly?
Powered by four turbojet engines, it had a top speed in level flight of about 900 km (550 miles) per hour, an operating ceiling above 12,500 metres (40,000 feet), and (with in-flight refueling) a combat range of up to 15,000 km (9,000 miles).
What was the life expectancy of a B-17 crew?
Nothing in the peacetime lives of thousands of young Americans had prepared them for the violence that lay ahead. Although such statistics were not circulated among Army Air Forces crews, the average life expectancy of an Eighth Air Force B-17 in late 1943 was 11 missions.
How far could ww2 bombers fly?
For a ferry flight the aircraft had a range of about 5000 miles. A maximum payload of 20 000 pounds could be carried for 2800 miles; on a typical operational mission, 12 000 pounds of bombs could be carried for a distance (one way) of 3700 miles.
What plane shot down most in ww2?
It is accurate to state that the P-38 did shoot down more Japanese aircraft than any other USAAF plane with 1,857, with the P-40 running a close second at 1,633.5.
How high could a Lancaster bomber fly?
24,500 feet
It could reach a maximum speed of 280 miles (450 km) per hour and a ceiling of 24,500 feet (7,500 metres), and it could carry a 14,000-pound (6,350-kg) bomb load to a range of 1,660 miles (2,670 km) at 200 miles (320 km) per hour.
Who shot down most planes in ww2?
While serving in Germany’s Luftwaffe in World War II, Erich Hartmann flew more than 1,400 missions in the Messerschmitt Bf 109, enabling him to score an astonishing 352 kills. How did Hartmann get so good at dominating the skies over the Eastern Front?
How tall was the average soldier in World War II?
(a) The average height of the examined registrants of World War II was 68.0 inches and their average weight was 150.5 pounds. (b) The average height of the inductees of World War II was 68.1 inches and their average weight was 150.5 pounds.
How many B 29 bombers were shot down over Japan?
How many B-29s were lost over Japan? ‘Four hundred and fourteen (414) B-29s were lost bombing Japan—147 of them to flak and Japanese fighters, 267 to engine fires, mechanical failures, takeoff crashes and other “operational losses,”’ Pete Feigal, Former Pro Military Artist, explains on Quora.
What was the life expectancy of a WW2 pilot?
The average life expectancy of a Spitfire pilot during the Battle of Britain was just four weeks. Despite this alarming figure, aspiring fighter pilots continued to join the RAF throughout the conflict, supporting the efforts of ground troops and defending their country.
How low do bombers fly?
With the wings fully swept back, the B-1B can drop to 200 feet (60 metres) above the ground and fly at Mach 0.9 (670 miles per hour, or 1,080 km/h). The plane can carry eight air-launched cruise missiles or 24 SRAMs. It can also carry up to 24 nuclear bombs or 84 500-pound (227-kg) conventional bombs.