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The B-29 was depressurized during combat
Not sure it's quite so "apples-and-oranges", particularly the B(I)Mk8 variant that was supposed to do low-level ops over Europe.
Incidentally, I think the Canberra really SHOULD have had a second pilot given its rather dangerous asymmetric handling qualities. I arrived at RAF Wyton not long after they lost the Station Commander, Reg McKendrick, in a crash while practicing an engine failure after take-off. A QFI and Staff Nav also perished on that short but deadly flight...and that was a T4 which had dual controls.
The B-47 had the co-pilot/gunner seated behind the pilot and there was no FE...just a navigator as the 3rd crew member.
The B-58 had a pilot, navigator, and weapons operator.
Page 149 of the "The B-29 Airplane Commander Training Manual for the Superfortress" (revised February 1945) states "Always depressurize when expecting enemy action, when the ship is on fire, or when preparing to abandon ship."
Page 149 of the "The B-29 Airplane Commander Training Manual for the Superfortress" (revised February 1945) states "Always depressurize when expecting enemy action, when the ship is on fire, or when preparing to abandon ship."
Agree Joe, my question though, the "simplicity" of the jet engine over the recip, didn't that make the FE rather unneeded? Or at least altered his task load and duties?By the time both of those aircraft entered service, the need for a dedicated bomber FE was slowly going away. Both the B-47 and B-58 were almost fighter like so the dedicated crew stations coupled with advances in nav and weapons systems eliminated older crew positions from WW2
The B-50 and B-36 retained FE positions as well as other post war patrol bombers (P2V, P3, de Havilland Comet, Tu95)
Agree Joe, my question though, the "simplicity" of the jet engine over the recip, didn't that make the FE rather unneeded? Or at least altered his task load and duties?
On the KC10 it was mostly around 6.5kGood article FBJ! The funny thing is the USAF makes us go to the chamber twice in pilot training with the second having a rapid depressurization from 43K. Also most airliners today run around with the cabin at 7.5 - 8.0K, while the 787 and A350 are substantially lower at 5K IIRC.
Cheers,
Biff
I think that 'access' was just for visual checks. I think to actually fiddle with a bomb some further modification would be required (Grand Slam pictured).
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Heading toward Japan, they faced headwinds that were pretty bad. That's where/when they discovered the jet stream, after all. That was always a factor until Lemay ordered them to bomb from lower altitudes.I can't see range shrinking that much based on a 0.07 ampg difference.
What about a streamlined Lanc with Griffons for range, jets for sprint to/from target?Even if a Lancaster (or Lincoln) were to drop a 1945 atomic bomb on a Japanese target, given its slow speed and low altitude (vs the B-29) its prospects of escaping the weapon effects would be problematic.
How about a B-50 or better yet, a B-36?What about a streamlined Lanc with Griffons for range, jets for sprint to/from target? You may need RATO to takeoff and in-flight refueling once aloft to have the necessary range.
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Well sure, but I'm trying to contribute to the Lancaster thread. If we want the best of any candidates then the Lancaster should stay home.How about a B-50 or better yet, a B-36?
Why not a B-52, then?
Wait...nevermind.
What about a streamlined Lanc with Griffons for range, jets for sprint to/from target?
You do realize the plane pictured flew for the first time, on August 14, 1946 about 1 year too late for WW II. This was the first aircraft to fly with the RR Nene engine.
I believe FlyboyJ's suggestions of the B-50 and B-36 were sarcasm.
If you can magically get 1946-47 engines into 1944 airframes for 1945 service use all sorts of possibilities open up.
How about we skip the jets, put on four Griffons and keep the streamlining.You do realize the plane pictured flew for the first time, on August 14, 1946 about 1 year too late for WW II. This was the first aircraft to fly with the RR Nene engine.
I believe FlyboyJ's suggestions of the B-50 and B-36 were sarcasm.
If you can magically get 1946-47 engines into 1944 airframes for 1945 service use all sorts of possibilities open up.