Aircraft Trivia Quiz

I believe it was the A-20, or RAF "Boston", since they were borrowed aircraft. Or maybe that was just the 1st raid by the 8th AF, or maybe it was the B-17, other than that, I have no clue.

Okay, here we go:

What was the first American aircraft, operated by American crew member(s), to bomb targets in Germany during WW2?

 

Perfect as usual Blackie

You got the next question!

  Tom T

As far as I can tell, the first US Bomber to perform a non-stop around the world flight was a B-29D Superfortress (though the designation was changed to B-50 before delivery).  The feat was performed in 1949, the aircraft was named Lucky Lady II and they performed 4 mid-air refuelings with KB-29 tankers....so how did I do?

 

Thanks for the additional information, Bill.

Although I am inclined to agree with you, the reason I stated here was the stated British one.

Did you know that in fact we had F-80's in service as a squadron in the Pacific before the end of hostilities with Japan? Also, the Mig-15 was overrated, as it was taken out by Skyraiders, P-51's, F-80's and naval F4U's before the F-86 came into service.

Now for a neat question, which WW2 bomber was also the first to do a round-the-world non-stop flight?

Tom T

Blackhawk91 wrote:

That is the right answer so on to you for the next question.  My references state that the Meteor entered service 1 week before the Me-262 reached operational status.  I was not aware of why they were held on the English side of the channel.  Thank you for explaining that I appreciate it.

I believe a Meteor squadron was sent to Gernany a few weeks before the end of the war.  They saw little combat, but did bag a few prop jobs.  They hoped to go toe to toe with some Me-262s, but never got the chance.

Bill

If I recall correctly, the V-1s were fast enough that the Meteor was one of the few planes available that could intercept them.  The Tempest was pressed into that role too, since it was the fastest piston engine plane the RAF had.

I would think the debris problem would be worse for a jet fighter than a prop plane.  A jet can sieze up if it injests debris, that's why modern military bases and aircraft carriers have FOD details to clean up any debris that might get sucked into an engine.  The turbo fans on commercial jets are a little more tollerant of debris injection since the large fan in front usually deflects away small bits of debris.  The turbo jets used on most military aircraft are very sensitive though.

The Russians got around this problem with a solution I think it better.  Most of their modern turbo jet aircraft have a taxi inlet on top of the plane.  They switch to the main inlet for take off.  They only have to be concerned about keeping the runway clean.

BTW, I also believe the Meteor first went active before the Me-262.  The Me-262 was the first jet to go head to head with manned enemy aircraft though.

Probably a good thing the British held back the Meteor.  Its performance was inferior to the Me-262.  I heard that someone (possibly Howard Hughes) was going to enter an Me-262 in the Thompson Trophy race in 1947, but the USAF stopped him.  They were entering an F-80 and they knew the Me-262 would likely beat it.  I believe that is the Me-262 that ended up in the Planes of Fame collection.  I believe it's the only original Me-262 in private hands.  All the others are owned by government museums.  (There are a number of brand new Me-262s built by Stormbirds in Everrett, WA.  They restored the Marine Corps museum's Me-262 and made a complete set of plans while they were at it.  They started building duplictes a few years ago, though they put GE engines in them.)

Bill

That is the right answer so on to you for the next question.  My references state that the Meteor entered service 1 week before the Me-262 reached operational status.  I was not aware of why they were held on the English side of the channel.  Thank you for explaining that I appreciate it.

 

I know it should be, but in fact this one is really not that easy.

It is common myth that the German Me-262 was operational first, but, in fact the Gloster Meteor saw action for the first time on July 27, 1944 in an anti-missile role, ultimately destroying 14 V-1 flying bombs whereas the Me-262 didn't really enter combat until late summer 1944, with initial operational missions against the Allies in August 1944 returning 19 Allied aircraft shot down for six jets lost. Therefore they both actually  share that distinction.

The main reason the Me-262 gets so much press is because it was used against American B-17's, which was a very visible role, whereas the Meteor's actions against the V-1's were less spectacular.

The British preferred to keep their Meteor's on their side of the channel, because the V-1 was a high priority with Churchill, and they were preferred to the prop-driven Spitfires for the role because the exploding bomb could foul the Spit's propeller, but not the Meteor's outboard twin jet engines.

OK?

  Tom  T

Okay...this one is pretty easy....what was the world's first operational jet fighter?

 

It looks like the right answer to me

You got my vote to go next hawk

Tom T

I am going to take a stab at this one and say Mirage-Hobby....if that is not it I have another guess

Yay, another chance for me!!!!! Name the Polish scale modelling company that makes 1/48th scale PZL P.11's, P.24's, P.23's and P.37's. It's very easy if you look on this page!!!!!

Think up a question, and then answer it.

That's what I do

  Tom T

must... resist.... temptation to answer.... because..... i have..... kit in my stash, too.....

Note:

Due to lack of response, this question has been deleted for posting at a later date.

Tom T

 

- man I hate getting em right haha.i'll pass my turn to whoever wants to ask a question, as I am light on trivia knowledge

RadMax8 wrote:

You aren't talking about the B-25 are you? They added a 75 mm cannon in the thing. The cannon was an artillery piece. It was the B-25G to be exact.

Yep.

Actually the third item was more of a "bonus question" in case of a a close call, but since you are probably "light" in armor, I'll let you "off the hook".

The gun actually was a special lightened version of the 75mm gun used in the Sherman tank for use in the new Chafee light tank that was to replace the Stuart.

Go for it Max!

  Tom T

 

You aren't talking about the B-25 are you? They added a 75 mm cannon in the thing. The cannon was an artillery piece. It was the B-25G to be exact.

This should be another "no-brainer", guys!

During WWII, in the Pacific Theater of Operation, the U.S. Army guys had to "make do", and thusly made extensive field mods to a very famous medium bomber. One mod was literally completely "devistating" to Japanese shipping! Sort of like a "one-shot-kill" device.

As it turns out, this field adapted modification was so successful, that the factory copied it, tested it, and put it into full production!

Ironically, this mod was made successfully by the Americans, and had no negative effect on the aircarft's performance, unlike the Luftwaffe's attempts to essentially make the same type of mod to their aircraft for anti-tank purposes, which tended to ruin their aircraft's performance!

So here's the question:

1. What was the aircraft?
2. What was the mod?
3. What was the other U.S. Army military item that  this weapon was origionally made for?

Both the modified plane and the other item are popular modeling subjects.

  Tom T

T_Terrific wrote:

OK, then there is the Mil MI-28 Havoc

Ladies and gentleman, we have a winner!

Tom, the floor is all yours...

To me it looks more like a river Sturgeon, though

That's my whole point, how did the people Italeri come up with these things!
It really looks like a bloated Mi-28!

Looks more like a Mi-24 Hind to my eyes

RemcoGrob wrote:

The kamov is significantly differnt, it's a one man heli with a coaxial rotor, this italeri Soviet atack heli has 2 crewmembers and a traditional rotor system.

OK, then there is the Mil MI-28 Havoc

To me it looks more like a river Sturgeon, though

Tom T

T_Terrific wrote:

RemcoGrob wrote: What russian helicopter does the Italeri "soviet attack helicopter" kit vaguely resembles? The picture you post seems to me to most closely resemble the KA-50 Kamow Hokum.   Tom T

The kamov is significantly differnt, it's a one man heli with a coaxial rotor, this italeri Soviet atack heli has 2 crewmembers and a traditional rotor system.

RemcoGrob wrote:

What russian helicopter does the Italeri "soviet attack helicopter" kit vaguely resembles?

The picture you post seems to me to most closely resemble the KA-50 Kamow Hokum.

  Tom T

T_Terrific wrote:

That wouldn't be the Kamov KA-52 kit would it? Tom T

No, that's a pretty accurate kit (ot at least it resembles a real aircraft). I am talking about one of their more farfeteched kit's. I found a pic:

That wouldn't be the Kamov KA-52 kit would it?

Tom T

Okiedo, I'll make it a modelling question.

Italeri is know to be to quick with making their models, making models on vague romours, such as their F-19, MiG-35 Ferret and Aurora.

They also made a "soviet atack helicopter" kit. This helicopter had no designation since the model was based a lot on speculation. However, it does (vaguely) resemble a real life russian atack helicopter.

What russian helicopter does the Italeri "soviet attack helicopter" kit vaguely resembles?

RemcoGrob wrote:

I think it's the Douglas Skyraider, nicknamed the Spad.

You got it Mr Grob

As a request, please try to make the question include a scale modeling subject.

Thank you. 

Tom T

T_Terrific wrote:

This one should be a no-brainer This history of this airplane began during WW II when  the U.S. Navy was seeking a single aircraft to replace both the SBD Dauntless, and the TBF Avenger.  An interesting characteristic about this airplane feature was that  it's engine had a  feature unique at that time. This airplane made its first flight in 1945, and was suitable to provide close air support, dive-bomb a target, torpedo an enemy ship, and also was equipped to deliver a nuclear weapon if necessary.  This aircraft was so successful that it served in the Korean War, as well as it's service continuing well on through the Viet-Nam era conflict, being used by the USAF as well as the U.S. Navy. And, yes, this aircraft is a very popular modeling subject. What was it?   Tom T

I think it's the Douglas Skyraider, nicknamed the Spad.