I came for the aerobatics, but stayed for the wonderful accent
Re: Handley Page Victor
Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2024 3:50 pm
by Colonel
He actually takes off and does a wingover to gain energy, then executes a 1/2 cuban-8 at show center from the surface, which was considered a normal way to deliver a nuke back in the day - often by a very large aircraft.
This tactic was first made public on 7 May 1957 at Eglin AFB, when a B-47 entered its bombing run at low altitude, pulled up sharply (3.5 g) into a half loop, releasing its bomb under automatic control at a predetermined point in its climb, then executed a half roll, completing a maneuver similar to an Immelmann turn or Half Cuban Eight. The bomb continued upward for some time in a high arc before falling on a target which was a considerable distance from its point of release. In the meantime, the maneuver had allowed the bomber to change direction and distance itself from the target
While deployed in Europe with NATO, RCAF CF-104 fighter-bombers carried a Toss Bomb Computer until their nuclear role was eliminated by the Canadian government effective 1 January 1972.
But as I said, that was back when pilots could fly. You know, the 20th century.
Re: Handley Page Victor
Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2024 5:16 pm
by Squaretail
While the Vulcan is often the most romanticized of the V-Bombers, I always liked the look of the Victor more. I think the Victor actually stayed in service longer. Kind of brave doing acro in one given that they were retired from service due to fatigue cracks.
Re: Handley Page Victor
Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2024 3:21 pm
by Colonel
Kind of brave doing acro in one given that they were retired from service due to fatigue cracks.
You may recall the extremely short career of the F-105 (which saw lots of action over North Vietnam) by
the USAF Thunderbirds who cut their season short after one broke into pieces during a routine overhead
break to landing.
The F-18 has been plagued with cracking during it's career.
And then there was the time that the USN tried to fly the F-16N at Miramar. Yup. Cracks.
Back in the civilian world, Beechcraft seem to pride themselves on cracked spars.
