Picture of the day. (1 Viewer)

GrauGeist · Apr 25, 2018

Smokey Stover said:
Yes, i read up on them a couple of years back. The amount of engineering and modifications they had to do im not sure the plan was even worth putting into practice, what with it diverting a lot of resources at a time when the Japanese really couldnt afford to partake in flights of fancy. The aircraft had backward rotating wings to fit into the sub. And they had to develope a way of heating the engine oil on the Aichi so it could take off as soon as it rolled out. Obviously running the engine in the hanger/designated area was both dangerous and outside too slow. I think it was ahead of its time in some aspects but totally flawed in others. A good idea but simply not practical. The chances of sneaking up on the US coast and carrying out what in effect would be nothing more than a bee sting to the Americans was i think highly unlikely and open to attack/disaster.

The I-400 sub was the largest, most advanced sub in the world until it was eclipsed by nuclear attack submarines nearly two decades later. While it may seem that it didn't contribute much, it held a great deal of potential. As with most Axis hardware, the Japanese were too late getting these into service and with their limitations in production, weren't able to make enough in order to effect a wholesale strike.
However, they could have just as easily conducted psych attacks on U.S. west coast facilities, like the refineries in Santa Barbara (Atwood, in particular) or in San Pedro/Wilmington that would have had a serious effect on public morale as well as hampered oil production/delivery.

GrauGeist · Apr 25, 2018

The Caproni N.1 thermo-jet during a test flight.

Smokey Stover · Apr 25, 2018

GrauGeist said:
The I-400 sub was the largest, most advanced sub in the world until it was eclipsed by nuclear attack submarines nearly two decades later. While it may seem that it didn't contribute much, it held a great deal of potential. As with most Axis hardware, the Japanese were too late getting these into service and with their limitations in production, weren't able to make enough in order to effect a wholesale strike.
However, they could have just as easily conducted psych attacks on U.S. west coast facilities, like the refineries in Santa Barbara (Atwood, in particular) or in San Pedro/Wilmington that would have had a serious effect on public morale as well as hampered oil production/delivery.

I hear what your saying, but without something like a nuclear weapon im just not convinced they could have made any significant impact on damage or moral. America's west coast had been shelled by conventional Japanese ships before 44/45. And as a Brit i know that even the most damaging bombing/destruction of a town/country/city would not always result in capitulation. Quite the opposite infact happened in London with the blitz. It only made the peoples resolve and will to fight stronger. Also not all subs were operational even by wars end. I-402 after its ill fated mission was used/converted to carry fuel desperate for Japan but never undertook this mission. Subs l-404 & l-405 were never finished, although l-404 was nearly 90% done. And it took 45 mins to arm, prepare and launch just three aircraft. So for nearly an hour they were effectively sitting ducks. As everyone always says, good idea bit too little too late.

michaelmaltby · Apr 25, 2018

Smokey Stover · Apr 25, 2018

CAC Boomerang aircraft from No. 5 Squadron RAAF at Piva Airfield, Bougainville

michaelmaltby · Apr 26, 2018

Kerch Peninsula, 1942

syscom3 · Apr 26, 2018

A SBD-5 Dauntless dive bomber of Bombing Squadron 5 from the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown over Wake Island, October 5th or 6th, 1943.

GrauGeist · Apr 26, 2018

syscom3 said:
A SBD-5 Dauntless dive bomber of Bombing Squadron 5 from the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown over Wake Island, October 5th or 6th, 1943.

Sys, if that photo was taken in October '43, would it possible that this flight would be from VB-10 of the new Yorktown (CV-10)?
Since the CV-5 Yorktown was lost in June '42, surviving aircraft (VF, VT, VB and VS) would have been transferred to other units.

Gnomey · Apr 26, 2018

Nice shots guys!

Peter Gunn · Apr 26, 2018

Wurger said:
View attachment 490742

Huh... whatca' suppose this little switch marked 'Feuer' does... ?

michaelmaltby · Apr 27, 2018

Even SS Totenkopf have to ask directions

Airframes · Apr 27, 2018

"Wo ist der river fraulein ? Mein kleine wagen wants to schwim !"

Smokey Stover · Apr 27, 2018

Looks like those jackboots could be a little slippery. I wonder if there was any sign of the famous german sense of humour...

Smokey Stover · Apr 27, 2018

Amazing shot of depth charges seemingly hitting their mark....

Airframes · Apr 27, 2018

Post # 11194 'Live at Berliner Eisebahn, the spectacular new performance of "Wehrmacht auf Eis '39", tickets on sale now, from 3,500 RM.'

vikingBerserker · Apr 27, 2018

It's "Nazi's on Ice"

Airframes · Apr 27, 2018

Yep, and he had a nazi fall .................. I'll get me coat - again !

Smokey Stover · Apr 27, 2018

LOL Good one guys

Smokey Stover · Apr 27, 2018

vikingBerserker said:
It's "Nazi's on Ice"

lol That's a good one.
It's springtime with fascists....

GrauGeist · Apr 27, 2018

Smokey Stover said:
View attachment 491234

Halt!
Hammerzeit!

Picture of the day. (1 Viewer)

Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung

Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung

Banned

Colonel

Banned

Colonel

Pacific Historian

Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung

Globetrotting Surgeon General

Master Sergeant

Colonel

Benevolens Magister

Banned

Banned

Benevolens Magister

Lieutenant General

Benevolens Magister

Banned

Banned

Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung

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