Lancaster B.1 Spcl

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Lowpe
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Lancaster B.1 Spcl

Post by Lowpe »

Anyone ever play long enough to use this guy?

That is a seriously big bomb, as mind-messing will find out shortly.[:D]

If you look closely you can see the bomb mounted externally...how cool is that!



Image

Still being found today!!![X(]
Another unexploded blockbuster was found in Dortmund in November 2013, requiring the evacuation of 20,000 people from the area.[9] A third was found and defused in Vicenza on 25 April 2014, requiring the evacuation of 30,000 within a radius of 2.5 km.[10]
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dr.hal
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RE: Lancaster B.1 Spcl

Post by dr.hal »

That was the "TALL BOY" used to sink the Tirpitz and go against the submarine pens the Germans built.
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JeffroK
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RE: Lancaster B.1 Spcl

Post by JeffroK »

I doubt the bomb found in Vicenza was a "Tallboy"

Only used by 617 & 9 Sqns from England. (Sank Tirpitz with them)

Could be a 12000lb HC which was 3 x 4000lb "Cookies" bolted together and was post-war
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JeffroK
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RE: Lancaster B.1 Spcl

Post by JeffroK »

http://www.wwiiequipment.com/index.php? ... acity-bomb

12000lb High Capacity Bomb

In July 1942 the Static Detonation Committee was asked about the efficiency of a 12000lb blast bomb - a 8000lb high capacity bomb with an additional 4000lb section, the Committee's reply was that a 12000lb high capacity bomb would have a greater damage effect than just a 8000lb and a 4000lb and so the Air Staff decided to proceed with the development of the 12000lb High Capacity bomb.

The Committee requested three bomb cases so that various exploding systems could be compared. Initial loading tests were carried out and were successful. It was found that Lancasters modified to carry the 8000lb high capacity would require the tail of the bomb to be reduced by 5 inches but Lancasters of the final design could accommodate the full length.

By January 1943 detonation trials had been completed, by May transporting, loading and dropping trials had also been completed. It took four men over two hours to load the trolley and bolt the two sections together, loading of the aircraft took 35 minutes. Ballistic trails were also completed but results were not satisfactory and the tail was redesigned.

At the end of October 1943 the bomb was approved for service, although some doubts had been raised about both sections of the bomb detonating simultaneously and the Air Staff were not satisfied that the bomb was reliable enough for production. By this time 30 bombs had been released by Bomber Command and so a provisional order for 50 bombs was requested until trials had been fully completed.

In late 1944 it was suggested that the bombs could be used to attack Japanese harbours with a short delay fuze, trials were completed in October 1944 with a 0.05 second and 0.14 second delay but it was found that the bombs may break up giving an incomplete detonation so the bomb was found to be unsuitable.


12000lb High Capacity bomb specifications
Bomb 12,000-lb HC Mk I-II
Construction Cast Steel
Usual weight 11,936lb (5425.45kg)
Charge/weight ratio 80%
Total length 196in (497.84cm)
Body length 142.5in (361.95cm)
Body diameter 38in (96.52cm)
Wall thickness 0.5in (1.27cm)
Tail length 36.5in (92.71cm) or 64in (162.56cm)
Tail width 38in (96.52cm)
Filling Amatex 9, Torpex 2
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JeffroK
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RE: Lancaster B.1 Spcl

Post by JeffroK »

http://www.wwiiequipment.com/index.php? ... &Itemid=60

12000lb Tallboy Bomb

Tallboy Bomb

Development of the TallBoy bomb was completed by March 1944, these bombs were designed for the attack of targets such as Uboat pens, tunnels, bridges and viaducts as normal bombs were ineffective against such targets. It had also been considered to use the bombs in area attacks but it was felt that they would be less effective than the current 8,000 and 12,000lb High Capacity bombs. The bomb was designed by Barnes Wallis, designer of the Wellington bomb and the 'bouncing bomb', Mr Wallis had been pushing for very large bombs for years and he felt that a large bomb which could penetrate deep into the ground could damage or destroy large structures.

The Tallboy bomb was expected to penetrate up to around 60 feet deep in soil and 65 feet in clay and create a crater up to 110 feet wide and 45 feet deep. Against a 13 foot thick un-reinforced concrete roof the Tallboy was expected to go right though, it was known that reinforcement was the most important factor how how much reinforced concrete the bomb could penetrate. Penetration of around 8 feet was estimated but against a 13 foot thick reinforced roof, although complete penetration was not expected the explosion would most likely destroy a large part of the roof. Against a soft target such as a railway line it was expected that it would take at least 5 days for the resulting crater to be filled in, and if the bomb was dropped near a bridge or a tunnel the repair time could be weeks or even months.

Filling for the bomb was Torpex.


First use

The first target attacked with Tallboy bombs was the Saumur railway tunnel on the night of the 8/9th of June. The raid was carried out by 19 Lancasters of 617 Squadron and their bombs were fused for 0.025 seconds. They were assisted by a flare force of 10 other Lancasters and 3 Mosquitoes. The two aiming points were the entrances to the tunnel, these were marked by red spot flares from low level by Mosquitos, the flare carrying aircraft also carried 5-8 1,000lb General Purpose bombs which were dropped on the bridge over the river.

At the Southern end of the tunnel 18 Tallboys were dropped, due to the presence of cloud the aircraft were forced to drop from 8,400 and 10,500 feet another Tallboy was dropped on the Northern end of the tunnel. 13 of the bombs fail in close proximity to the markets, 4 has significantly greater error and another missed by 680 yards. The single bomb aimed at the Northern end fell 170 yards from the aiming point.

The average crater size was 80 feet by 25 feet, the largest had a diameter of 120 feet and a depth of 30 feet. Damage the tunnel and surrounding tracks was extensive with one bomb causing the tunnel to collapse, all bombs functioned correctly.
Tallboy bomb specifications
Bomb 12000-lb DP Mk I
Construction Cast Steel
Usual weight 11,885lb (5402.27kg)
Charge/weight ratio 45%
Total length 252in (640.08cm)
Body length 38in (96.52cm)
Body diameter 124in (314.96cm)
Wall thickness 1.25-4.1in (3.175-10.414cm)
Tail length 128in (325.12cm)
Tail width 42in (106.68cm)

Filling Torpex
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dr.hal
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RE: Lancaster B.1 Spcl

Post by dr.hal »

Well that clears it up as to why there is a "GP" designation to the bomb.... thanks. Hal
jmalter
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RE: Lancaster B.1 Spcl

Post by jmalter »

dang, I missed my place in life - as a member of the Static Detonation Committee, I could've made an "Impact" (!).

But IIRC, having played late-war against the IJ AI in both GC & Downfall scenarios, the Tallboy wasn't giving an extra punch against my targets (City attacks vs. specific Industry targets and/or Airfield raids).

IMO, go w/ the Lanc B.1 FE, or the Linc B.1 - they have better range & a varied bomb-load that gives a better chance of a hit, the Lanc B.1 Spcl only carries the 1 bomb. By all means, keep a Tallboy group going, to maximize the # of B.1s on operations. Like the atom-bomb mission, the Tallboy doesn't really give satisfaction.

For every 12,000 lb bomb delivered, I'd rather drop 12 x 1,000 lb bombs on the target, or 24 x 500-pounders.

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bigred
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RE: Lancaster B.1 Spcl

Post by bigred »

comes online in 45/7. Would be nice for a mod to include it in 44.
---bigred---

IJ Production mistakes--
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crsutton
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RE: Lancaster B.1 Spcl

Post by crsutton »

I just want to see one hit a capital ship.
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