[ARC5] Radio release of bombs

[Brad Hernlem]

A few years ago I read a book entitled "Instruments of Darkness: A History 
of Electronic Warfare". I recall that the book discussed the use by the 
Germans of such a targetting scheme. There may have been also a discussion 
of the equipment that you mention, but I do not recall. The German scheme 
used common aircraft navigational aids available in the 30s. One beam 
allowed the bombers to track a northward path from France (veering to the 
left or right  produced a series of dits or dashes in the receiving 
equipment. On track was a steady tone). Eventually the bombers entered a 
second east-west navigational beam from Northern Germany. This signal 
started a clock or triggered the bomb release mechanism based on altitude or 
other factors that I do not recall expressly. In any case, the requirements 
that the bombers maintain a steady course and alititude for a significant 
period of time (yeah, right) meant that the technique was pretty poor at 
getting bombs on target.

Brad

>From: "Taigh Ramey" <taigh at twinbeech.com>
>To: <ARC5 at mailman.qth.net>
>Subject: [ARC5] Radio release of bombs
>Date: Tue, 19 Apr 2005 13:21:31 -0700
>
>Hello,
>
>I am not sure if this pertains to this list but I need some help. There has
>been talk on a B-25 message board of a radio bomb release system used on
>B-25's in the Mediterranean theater of operations late in the war. Have any
>of you heard of this and if so what was the system designation? Any
>information about this system would be most appreciated.
>
>Thanks,
>Taigh
>
>Taigh Ramey
>Proprietor, Vintage Aircraft
>7432 C.E.Dixon Street
>Stockton, California 95206
>(209) 982-0273
>www.twinbeech.com
>KEEP 'EM FLYING...FOR HISTORY!
>
>
>
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