------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Version of 31 March 1995 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --A-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aerocar Another car/airplane convertible. The Aerocar had a pusher propeller in the extreme tail; wings and tail could be detached. Increased safety demands for cars ended production of the Aerocar. AIM-26, Hughes This was a development of the AIM-4 Falcon missile for head-on interceptions using SAR guidance. Because of the reduced precision of the AIM-26A, it had a 1.5kT nuclear warhead. Aircraft Production USA Germany ---------------------------------------------------------- 1939 2,141 1940 10,247 1941 1942 47,836 15,409 1943 25,527 1944 40,953 1945 Airphibian, Fulton One of the many attempts to create a 'winged car'. The four-wheeled front fuselage could be detached, the propellor removed, and used as a car. Air Warfare, early development of 30 June 1910 : Glenn Curtiss drops dummy bombs on a battle-ship shaped target on Lake Keuka. 20 August 1910 : Two shots fired with a rifle from a Curtiss biplane to a ground target, by Jacob A. Fickel. 7 January 1911: Myron S. Crissy drops a live bomb on a target near San Fransisco. Februari 1911 : The John Moisant flying circus makes reconaissance flights, for the Mexican government. October 1911 : Bombardment of Tripoli 7 June 1912 : A Lewis machine gun is tried on an US Army Wright B biplane. 8 February 1913 : Fort Bezhani is bombed. 1913 : Exchange of pistol shots over Mexico by two single-engined biplanes, piloted by Phil Rader and Dean I. Lamb. 30 May 1913 : Flying for the Mexican rebel Carranza, Didier Masson drops light bombs near a number of Mexican gunboats. 27 July 1914: A short tractor seaplane drops a 14 in naval torpedo. August 1914 : RFC Pilot in France discharges revolver at German aircraft. 23 August 1913 : French aircraft bomb Mullheim, Germany. 8 September 1914 : First aerial victory for a Russian aircraft, when captain P. N. Nesterov, in an unarmed Morane-Saulnier M, rammed an Austrian aircraft. He was killed in the process. 5 October 1914 : A Voisin III biplane bomber shoots down a German Aviatik reconaissance aircraft with a Hotchkiss machine gun. 24 December 1914 : A Taube flown by Leutnant Caspar drops the first bomb on British soil. ANP Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion -- an attempt to build a nuclear-powered aircraft, primarily a strategic bomber. Antonov An-3 The An-3 is a turboprop-engined development of old the An-2 transport biplane, first flown in 1984. A rather unique concept, the An-3 was built because the jet-engined M-15 biplane did not stand up to the rigours of agricultural work. Antwerp Once the largest port of the world, the city of Antwerp has always been of very high importance for any army operating in Northwest Europe, if supplied overseas, and for any continental army preparing an invasion of Britain. In WWII it was hit by more V-1s than London (2448 against 2419), a large number of V-2s and approx. 200 'Rheinbote' missiles. Attlee, Clement British politician. Against a 1934 proposal to increase the RAF strength by 8 squadrons during the next five years, he declared that there was 'no need for an increase in air armaments.' --B-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Barbarossa From 22 June to 5 October 1941, the V-VS (Soviet air force) lost 5316 aircraft. Battleships Table of Battleship losses during WWI, from "Battleships and Battlecruisers" by Richard Humble: ============================================================ Pre-dreadnoughts and monitors 25 Dreadnoughts 7 Battle-cruisers 4 TOTAL 36 ------------------------------------------------------------ Austria-Hungary 3 France 4 Germany 2 Great Britain 17 Italy 3 Japan 1 Russia 4 Turkey 2 ------------------------------------------------------------ Gunfire 4 Mines 8 Surface torpedo 5 Submarine torpedo 10 Spontaneous Ammunition Explosion 7 Scuttled 2 ============================================================ List of battleship losses in WWII, provided by Steve Alvin . ============================================================ 14 Oct 1939 Royal Oak Britain submarine torpedo 3 Jul 1940 Bretagne France gunfire 3 Jul 1940 Provence France gunfire (salvaged) 12 Nov 1940 Conte di Cavour Italy aerial torpedo 24 May 1941 Hood Britain gunfire 27 May 1941 Bismarck Germany aerial torpedo, gunfire, torpedo, scuttled 23 Sep 1941 Marat USSR artillery, bombs 25 Nov 1941 Barham Britain submarine torpedo 7 Dec 1941 Arizona USA bombs 7 Dec 1941 California USA aerial torpedo, bombs 7 Dec 1941 Nevada USA aerial torpedo, bombs 7 Dec 1941 Oklahoma USA aerial torpedo 7 Dec 1941 West Virginia USA aerial torpedo, bombs 10 Dec 1941 Prince of Wales Britain aerial torpedo, bombs 10 Dec 1941 Repulse Britain aerial torpedo, bombs 13 Nov 1942 Hiei Japan gunfire, torpedo, aerial torpedo, bombs 15 Nov 1942 Kirishima Japan gunfire 27 Nov 1942 Dunkerque France scuttled 27 Nov 1942 Strasbourg France scuttled 8 Jun 1943 Mutsu Japan accidental explosion 9 Sep 1943 Roma Italy guided bombs 26 Dec 1943 Scharnhorst Germany gunfire, torpedo 24 Oct 1944 Musashi Japan aerial torpedo, bombs 25 Oct 1944 Fuso Japan gunfire, torpedo 25 Oct 1944 Yamashiro Japan gunfire, torpedo 12 Nov 1944 Tirpitz Germany bombs 21 Nov 1944 Kongo Japan submarine torpedo 15 Feb 1945 Conte di Cavour Italy bombs 19 Mar 1945 Haruna Japan bombs 27 Mar 1945 Gneisenau Germany bombs, scuttled 7 Apr 1945 Yamato Japan aerial torpedo, bombs 28 Jul 1945 Ise Japan bombs 28 Jul 1945 Hyuga Japan bombs ============================================================ Belgian Air Force Squadrons 2, 3 Qui s'y frotte s'y pique 5 Quarens quem devoret 7, 8, 9 Get In 25 Compos Sui 26 Dente curnuque pugnat 29 Custodiendo audere 30 Oderint dum metuant 31 In sanguine vincum 40 Aude audenda 349 Strike Hard, Strike Home 350 Belgae Gallorum Fortissimi 351 Nemo me impune lacessit 352 Ut fulgur sulca aethera 366, 367, 40 Tenacity IFR flight Non sibi Tecnhical school Labor omnia vincit improbus Belgian Air Force Strength, 10 May 1940 Fairey Fox 98 Renard R 31 21 Gloster Gladiator 15 Hawker Hurricane 11 Fiat C.R.42 23 Fairey Battle 14 Bombs, United States Bomb kg Purpose ========================================================== M30A1 45.4 General Purpose M38A2 45.4 Practice M40A1 10.4 Fragmentation M41A 9.1 Fragmentation/ shaped-charge M47 45.4 Incendiary / Smoke M50 1.81 Thermite, incendiary M52 454 Armour-piercing M56 1814 Blast M57 113 General Purpose M58 227 Semi-armour piercing M59 454 Semi-armour piercing M64 227 General Purpose M65 454 General Purpose M66 907 General Purpose M69 2.7 Incendiary M70 52.2 Mustard gas / gel M74 4.5 Incendiary M76 227 Incendiary M78 227 or 454 Gas M81 117.9 Fragmentation M82 40.8 Fragmentation M83 1.81 Fragmentation M86 54.4 Fragmentation M88 99.8 Fragmentation M103 907 Semi-armour piercing M104 45.4 Leaflet M105 227 Leaflet M109 5443 General Purpose M110 9979 General Purpose M113 56.7 Gas M116 340 Napalm M117 340 General Purpose M118 1361 General Purpose, low-drag M121 4536 General Purpose M124 113 Practice M125 4.54 Gas M126 1.81 Incendiary M129 340 Leaflet MC1 340 Gas Mk 1 907 Blast Mk 1 Mod 1/1/3 726 Armour-piercing Mk 5 1.36 Practice Mk 15 45.4 Practice Mk 23 1.36 Practice Mk 33 454 Armour-Piercing Mk 36 Delayed fuse (triggered by passing vehicles) Mk 65 227 Practice Mk 66 454 Practice Mk 76 11.3 Practice Mk 77 Mod 0 340 Fire Mk 79 454 Fire (napalm) Mk 81 113 General purpose, Low-drag Mk 81 Mod 1 Snakeye 113 General purpose, High-drag Mk 82 227 General purpose, Low-drag Mk 82 Mod 1 Snakeye 254 General purpose, High-drag Mk 83 454 General purpose, Low-drag Mk 83 Mod 2/3 454 General purpose, High-drag Mk 84 894 General purpose, Low-drag Mk 86 113 Practice Mk 87 227 Practice Mk 88 454 Practice Mk 89 25.4 Practice Mk 94 227 Gas (Sarin) Mk 106 2.27 Practice Mk 111 454 Demolition Mk 116 Weteye 340 Chemical Mk 122 Fireye Fire British Air Force losses during WWII -------------------------------------------------------------------- B. C. A.C.C. F.C. T.A.F. C.C. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 1939 40 3 | 288 1940 509 1186 | 1941 985 651 233 1942 1543 688 302 1943 2474 569 177 279 1944 2904 397 1305 305 1945 708 64 633 132 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 9163 70 3558 2115 1579 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Abbreviations: B.C. Bomber Command; A.C.C. Army Co-operation Command; F.C. Fighter Command; T.A.F. 2nd Tactical Air Force; C.C. Coastal Command. Numbers include aircraft that returned to base but were not repairable. Source: Jane's 45-46. British Air Force Squadrons 501th 'County of Gloucester' 602th 'City of Glasgow' 610th 'County of Chester' 617th 'Dambusters' British Air Force Strength During the Battle of Britain (1940) Number of immediately available fighters, according to "The Battle of Britain" by Peter G. Cooksley (Ian Allan Ltd., 1990) Hurricanes Spitfires ---------------------------- 21 August 615 326 30 August 580 287 8 September 530 275 15 September 472 256 2 October 482 281 18 October 512 285 --C-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carrier types Activity [UK] * Activity Escort carrier. Amagi [Japan] * Amagi, Akagi Work on the battlecruisers of the Amagi-class had to be abandoned after the Washington naval treaty. Amagi and Akagi were converted to carriers, but the first was destroyed by an earthquake. Akagi had a small island to port. Entered service in 1927. She was sunk in the Battle of Midway. Name & Date: Akagi, 1938 Tons: 37080 Crew: 1340 Length: 260m Width: 31.3m Draught: 8.6m Guns: 6*200mm, 12*127mm, 28*25mm Aircraft: 91 Armour: Speed: 31 kn Range: 8200nm at 16kn Archer [UK] * Arbiter, Archer, Attacker, Battler, Biter, Chaser, Fencer, Hunter, Patroller, Puncher, Pursuer, Ravager, Reaper, Searcher, Slinger, Smiter, Speaker, Stalker, Striker, Tracker, Trailer, Trouncer, Trumpeter. Escort carriers, converted from the hulls of merchant ships. They were built in the US, and had wooden planked flight decks that were unusual for British carriers. 'Biter' was later lent to the French Navy, where she served as 'Dixmude'. Name & Date: Tons: 14500 Crew: Length: Width: Draught: Guns: Armour: SAM: Aircraft: Speed: Range: Argus [UK] * Argus Argus was a conversion of the Italian steamer Conto Rosso; it was the first full-deck carrier, completed in september 1918. She was not armoured and was slow; during WWII she was mainly used to transport aircraft. Name & Date: Argus, 2 Dec 1917 Tons: 14450 Crew: 373 Length: 560ft Width: 68ft Draught: 21ft Guns: 6*4in, 4*3pdr, 4*mg, 10*7.7mm Aircraft: 20 Speed: 20 knots Range: Ark Royal [UK] * Ark Royal Ark Royal was designed as a carrier and entered service in 1938. The design of Ark Royal was good; she was a seaworthy and well- protected ship, but her flight deck and hangers were not armoured. Aircraft from Ark Royal crippled Bismarck on 26 May 1941. She was sunk by U-81 on 13 November 1941. Name & Date: Ark Royal, 1938 Tons: 22350 Crew: 1636 Length: 244.3m Width: 29.3m Draught: 8.5m Guns: 16*4.5in, 45*40mm, 32*12.7mm Aircraft: 72 Armour: belt 114mm, main deck 64mm Speed: 31.75 kn Range: 7620nm at 20kn Audacious [UK] * Eagle, Ark Royal The name ship of this class, Audacious, was renamed Eagle. The ship were basically enlarged developments of the Implacable. Too late for WWII, they were completed in 1951 and 1955; two other were cancelled. They were the last large carriers of the Royal Navy. Name & Date: Ark Royal, 1955 Tons: 44030 Crew: 2345 Length: 246.8m Width: 48.2m Draught: 11m Guns: 16*4.5in, 34*40mm Aircraft: 80 Armour: belt 114mm, flight deck 38-102mm Speed: 31.75 kn Range: Audacity [UK] * Audacity Escort carrier. Bearn [France] * Bearn The Bearn started life as a battleship, designed before WWII. The battleships of her class were never completed, and Bearn was converted to a carrier. She was slow and not very effective, but was the only French carrier until 1946. She was scrapped in 1967. Name & Date: Bearn, 1943 Tons: 22146 Crew: Length: 182.6m Width: 35.2m Draught: 9.3m Guns: 4*127 mm, 24*40mm, 26*37mm Aircraft: 40 Armour: belt 80mm, flight deck 25mm, main deck 25mm Speed: 21.5 kn Range: 7000nm at 10kn Bogue [USA] * Bogue, Altamaha, Barnes, Breton, Card, Copahee, Core, Croatan, Nassau, Prince William Escort carriers. It was found that it could be difficult to land on these ships, and the Casablanca class was an improved design. All Bogue-class ships were converted from mercantile hulls. Name & Date: Tons: 7800 Crew: 650 Length: 494ft Width: 69.5ft Draught: 23.25ft Guns: 2*5in, 16*40mm, 20*20mm Armour: Aircraft: 21 Speed: 16 knots Range: Casablanca [USA] * Casablanca, Liscombe Bay, Anzio, Corregidor, Mission Bay, Guadalcanal, Manilla Bay, Natoma Bay, St. Lo, Tripoli, Wake Island, White Plains, Solomons, Kalinin Bay, Kasaan Bay, Fanshaw Bay, Kitkun Bay, Tulagi, Gambier Bay, Nehenta Bay, Hogatt Bay, Kadashan Bay, Markus Island, Savo Island, Petrof Bay, Rudyerd Bay, Saginaw Bay, Sargent Bay, Shamrock Bay, Shipley Bay, Sitkoh Bay, Steamer Bay, Cape Esperance, Takansis Bay, Thetis Bay, Makassar Strait, Windham Bay, Makin Island, Lunga Point, Alikula Bay, Bismarck Sea, Salamaua, Hollandia, Kwajalein, Admiralty Islands, Bougainville, Manitakau, Attu, Roi, Munda Escort carrier, the first designed as such after a number of conversions. Fifty were built in slightly more than a year. Name & Date: Casablanca Tons: 7920 Crew: 860 Length: 156.4m Width: 33m Draught: 6.7m Guns: 1*127 mm, 16*40mm, 24*20mm Aircraft: 28 Speed: 19.25kn Range: Charles de Gaulle [France] * Charles de Gaulle, Richelieu Nuclear-powered, 35000 ton aircraft carrier class. Planned dates for service entry are 1998 and 2004. Name & Date: Charles de Gaulle Tons: 35000 Crew: Length: 260m Width: 65m Draught: Guns: Aircraft: 40 Armour: Speed: 27kt Range: Chitose, Chiyoda [Japan] * Chitose, Chiyoda Seaplane tenders, later converted to aircraft carriers. Clemencau [France] * Clemencau, Foch French fleet carriers, the first to be designed and built as such in France (Bearn was a conversion). Entered service in 1961 and 1963. They are not large enough to operate fast jet aircraft; Foch operates only with helicopters. Name & Date: Clemencau, 1958 Tons: 22350 Crew: 2150 Length: 265m Width: 51.2m Draught: 7.7m Guns: 8*100mm Aircraft: 40 Armour: Speed: 32 kn Range: 6300nm at 18kn Colossus [UK] * Colossus, Glory, Ocean, Theseus, Triumph, Venerable, Vengeance. Light carriers. These 13190 ton carriers had no armour and a top speed of only 25 knots. They were built during WWII to fill the gap until new carriers were ready. After the war Colossus was lent to the French Navy, as Arromanches. Tons: 13190 Crew: 850 Commencement Bay [USA] * Commencement Bay, Badoeng Strait, Bairoko, Block Island, Cape Gloucester, Gilbert Islands, Kula Gulf, Mindoro, Palau, Point Cruz, Puget Sound, Rabaul, Rendova, Saidor, Salerno Bay, Tinian, Vella Gulf Escort carriers. Name & Date: Tons: 12000 Crew: 1000 Length: 553ft Width: 75ft Draught: 30.5in Guns: 26*40mm, 30*20mm Armour: Aircraft: 34 Speed: 20 knots Range: Courageous [UK] * Courageous, Glorious The light battlecruisers Courageous and Glorious were converted to carriers between 1924 and 1930. Both were sunk early in WWII; Courageous was torpedoed by an U-boat and Glorious was intercepted by Schranhorst and Gneisenau when she evacuated aircraft from Norway. Name & Date: Tons: 22860 Crew: 1100 Length: 786ft Width: 81ft Draught: 26ft Guns: 16*4.7in, 4*3pdr, 50*?? Aircraft: 48 Armour: 3in to 2in belt, 1in upper deck. Speed: 32 knots Range: Eagle [UK] * Eagle Eagle was converted from the unfinished hull of a battleship; her armour belt was replaced by a lighter one, and she received a full flight deck and an 'island' at starboard. Completed in 1923. Eagle was too small and too slow. She was sunk by U-73 on 11 August 1942 in the Mediterranean. Name & Date: Eagle, 1942 Tons: 22600 Crew: 950 Length: 203.5m Width: 32m Draught: 8.1m Guns: 9*6in, 4*4in, 16*20mm, 12*20mm, 4*7.7mm Aircraft: 21 Armour: belt 25-114m, deck 25mm, main deck 38mm Speed: 24.4 kn Range: 3000 nm at 17.4kn Enterprise [USA] * Enterprise Enterprise was based on the design of the Forrestal-class, but was nuclear powered. At the time of the launch the Enterprise (451 million US$) was the largest warship in the world. Name & Date: Enterprise Tons: 75700 Crew: 5000 Length: 335.9m Width: 76.8m Draught: 10.8m Armour: SAM: Sea Sparrow Aircraft: 90+ Speed: 35 knots Essex [USA] * Essex, Antietam, Bennington, Bonhomme Richard, Boxer, Bunker Hill, Franklin, Hancock, Hornet, Intrepid, Kearsage, Lake Champlain, Lexington, Leyte, Oriskany, Phillipine Sea, Princeton, Randolph, Shangri-La, Tarawa, Ticonderoga, Valley Forge, Wasp, Yorktown. The carriers of this class began to enter service in late 1942; the first had been ordered in 1940. The carriers of the Essex- class assured the superiority of the US Navy over the IJN during the rest of the war in the Pacific. Name & Date: Tons: 27100 Crew: 2900 Length: 888ft Width: 93ft Draught: 29ft Guns: 12*5in, 72*40mm, 52*20mm Armour: 2-3in sides, 1.5in flight deck, 3in hangar deck. Aircraft: 82 Speed: 33 knots Forrestal [USA] * Forrestal, Saratoga, Ranger, Independence These were the first US carriers to be designed with an angled decks and steam catapults. They were also the largest of their kind. The first were launched in 1952, in response to the experiences of the Korean War. Name & Date: Saratoga Tons: 60000 Crew: Length: 316.8m Width: 76.8m Draught: 11.3m SAM: Sea Sparrow Aircraft: 80+ Speed: 34 knots Range: Furious [UK] * Furious Courageous, Glorious and Furious were designed as fast light cruisers to support amphibious operations. After the concept had been abandoned, it was planned to convert Furious to carry two 18 inch guns, only to test this armament. This was also abandoned, and Furious was completed with a flight deck forward of the superstructure. Later a landing deck aft was added, but the superstructure caused unacceptable turbulence. In 1925 Furious was rebuilt with a full flightdeck; it was used troughout WWII and scrapped in 1948. Name & Date: Furious, 1944 Tons: 22810 Crew: 1200 Length: 240m Width: 32.7m Draught: 8.5m Guns: 12*4in, 32*40mm, 22*20mm Aircraft: 33 Armour: belt 76mm, deck 25mm, main deck 19-44mm Speed: 29.5 kn Range: Graf Zeppelin [Germany] * Graf Zeppelin, Peter Strasser (?) German aircraft carriers, that were laid down in 1936, but never completed. Graf Zeppelin was launched, and aircraft for her were designed; but development was halted by disagreements between the air force and the navy, and general lack of interest. Name & Date: Graf Zeppelin, 8 Dec 1938 Tons: 19250 Crew: Length: 820ft Width: 88ft Draught: 18.5ft Guns: 16*5.9in, 10*4.1in, 22*37mm Armour: Aircraft: 40 Speed: 32 knots Range: Guiseppe Garibaldi [Italia] * Guiseppe Garibaldi Through-deck cruiser of 13450 ton. It carriers a number of AV-8B Harriers. G.W. Parke Custis [USA] * G.W. Parke Custis This was a converted coal barge, used as a balloon carrier during the American civil war. It entered service in 1861. Hermes [UK] * Hermes Hermes was the first ship designed as an aircraft carrier, and entere service in 1926. Her design was based on that of light cruisers, and she introduced an armoured flight deck. Too slow and too small, Hermes soldiered on until she was sank by Japanese carrier aircraft on 9 April 1942. Name & Date: Hermes, 1926 Tons: 11020 Crew: 850 Length: 182.9m Width: 21.4m Draught: 6.6m Guns: 6*5.5in, 4*4in Aircraft: 20 Armour: belt 76mm, deck 25mm, main deck 25mm Speed: 25 kn Range: Hermes [UK] * Hermes, Centaur, Albion, Bulwark Light carriers, 18300 ton and with a top speed of 29.5 knots. They were ordered during WWII; the end of the war delayed them until the 1950s. Hiyo [Japan] * Hiyo, Junyo These were laid down as passengers ships, but had been designed with conversion to carriers in mind; fuel tanks and lifts for aircraft were incorporated in tye design. During the building the conversion was ordered. Hosho [Japan] * Hosho Hosho was the first carrier designed as such that entered service, in 1922. She was small and unarmoured, and used mainly for training. Hosho survived the war. Name & Date: Hosho, 1922 Tons: 7590 Crew: 550 Length: 168m Width: 22.7m Draught: 6.2m Guns: 4*140mm, 2*76mm, Aircraft: 21 Armour: Speed: 25 kn Range: 7300nm at 12kn Illustrious [UK] * Illustrious, Formidable, Victorious, Indomitable, Implacable, Indefatigable. These carriers were designed to operate in the narrow waters of the Mediterrannean. They had armoured hangars that greatly reduced their vulnerability, but this also limited the number of aircraft they could carry. Illustrious and Formidable entered service in 1940; Victorious and Indomitable in 1941; the redesigned Indefatigable and Implacable in 1944. The last two were larger and had an extra half hangar deck, and could carry 54 aircraft. All survived WWII. Name & Date: Illustrious, 1941 Tons: 23760 Crew: 1600 Length: 234m Width: 95ft Draught: 7.3m Guns: 16*4.5in, 48*40mm, 8*40mm, 8*20mm Aircraft: 36 (60 if aircraft carried on deck) Armour: Speed: 30.5 kn Range: 9250nm at 14kn Independence [USA] * Independence, Bataan, Belleau Wood, Cabot, Cowpens, Langley, Monterey, San Jacinto Originally these were laid down as 6-in light cruisers of the Cleveland-class. They were converted to light fleet carriers, to bridge the gap until the Essex-class came available in substantial numbers. Later Belleau Wood and Langley were used by the French Navy as Bois Belleau and Lafayette. Name & Date: Independence Tons: 11000 Crew: 1400 Length: 618ft Width: 71.5ft Draught: 20ft Guns: 16*40mm, 40*20mm Armour: Aircraft: 45 Speed: 33 knots Range: Invincible [UK] * Invincible, Illustrious, Ark Royal These so-called through-deck cruisers are small carriers, capable of operating helicopters and V/STOL aircraft. They entered service in 1980 and 1985. The operating of V/STOL aircraft was much improved by the 'ski-jump' decks. Name & Date: Invincible Tons: 16260 Crew: 900 + aircraft crew Length: 206.6m Width: 31.9m Draught: 7.3m SAM: Sea Dart Aircraft: 18 Speed: 28 kn Range: 4330nm at 18kn Ise [Japan] * Hyuga, Ise These were built as battleships, with six twin-gun turrets. After the battle of Midway they were converted to seaplane tenders, with a flat deck aft, that replaced the X and Y turrets. Name & Date: Hyuga, 1943 Tons: 35760 Crew: 1463 Length: 219.6m Width: 33.8m Draught: 9m Guns: 8*356mm, 16*127mm, 57*25mm Aircraft: 22 Armour: belt 305-76mm, main deck 51mm, turrest 203-305mm Speed: 33 kn Range: 9450nm at 16kn Joffre [France] * Joffre, Painleve Building of these carriers began in 1939. They were scrapped during WWII. Kaga [Japan] * Kaga Kaga was a converted Tosa-class battleship. She was converted after the destruction by earthquake of the hull of the battlecruiser Amagi. Kaga was sunk in the battle of Midway. Name & Date: Kaga Tons: 28100 Crew: Length: 715ft Width: 102.7ft Draught: 21.3ft Guns: 10*8in, 4*4.7 in, 12*47in Armour: Aircraft: 60 Speed: 25 knots Range: Kiev [USSR] * Kiev, Minsk ASW carriers, for helicopters and Yak-38 VTOL aircraft, but also armed with missiles. The carriers in this class have an angled flight deck, wich makes room for rocket and missile launchers over the bow. Name & Date: Kiev Tons: 32000 Crew: Length: 284.4m Width: 51.8m Draught: Guns: 4*76mm SAM: SA-N-3, SA-N-4 Aircraft: 25 Speed: 32 knots Range: Langley [USA] * Langley The first US carrier, commissioned on 20 March 1922. Langley was converted from the coaler Jupiter. In 1937 Langley was converted to an aircraft tender, and sunk in 1942. Name & Date: Langley, 1922 Tons: 11500 Crew: 468 Length: 542ft Width: 65ft Draught: 18ft 11in Guns: 4 * 5in Armour: Aircraft: 55 Speed: 15 knots Range: Lexington [USA] * Lexington, Saratoga These ships were designed and laid down as battlecruisers, but completed as carriers after the Washington Treaty. They were large, fast ships and carried 8in guns for some time. A purpose-designed carrier would have been able to carry more aircraft, but Lexington and Saratoga were certainly impressive. Lexington was lost on 8 May 1942, Saratoga survived WWII. Name & Date: Lexington, 1927 Tons: 33540 Crew: 2122 Length: 271.1m Width: 39.7m Draught: 9.8m Guns: 8*8in, 12*5in Armour: belt 152mm, main deck 76mm Aircraft: 90 Speed: 33.25kn Range: Majestic [UK] * Majestic, Hercules, Leviathan, Powerful, Terrible Five buit, one abandoned unfinished. These were improved Colossus ships of 15700 ton. Name & Date: Majestic, 28 Feb. 1945 Tons: 14000 Crew: 1400 Length: 693ft Width: 112.5ft Draught: 23ft 7in Guns: 4*3pdr, 30*40mm Armour: Aircraft: 39--44 Speed: Range: Malta [UK] These 46900ton ton carriers would have been the British equivalent of the Midway Class. Cancelled in 1945. Midway [USA] * Midway, Coral Sea, Franklin D. Roosevelt These large carriers were laid down during WWII, but completed only after the war. They had British-style armoured flight decks. Name & Date: Midway, 1946 Tons: 45000 Crew: 4085 Length: 968ft Width: 113ft Draught: 32ft 9in Guns: 18*5in, 84*40mm, 82*20mm Armour: Aircraft: 137 Speed: 33 knots Range: Mogami [Japan] * Mogami This was a heavy cruiser; in 1943 the X and Y turrets were replaced by a flat deck, and Mogami was equipped as a seaplane tender. Moskva [USSR] * Moskva, Leningrad ASW helicopter carrier with a aft flightdeck, leaving room for missile and rocket launchers on the bows. Entered service in 1962 and 1963. Name & Date: Moskva Tons: 14730 Crew: Length: 196.6m Width: 35m Draught: 7.6m Guns: 4*57mm SAM: SA-N-3 Aircraft: 18 Speed: 30 kn Range: Nairana [UK] * Nairana Escort carrier. Nimitz [USA] * Nimitz, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Carl Vinson, Theodore Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, John Stennis, United States This is the current class of US large carriers under construction. They are nuclear-powered carriers, slightly larger than the Enterprise. Name & Date: Nimitz Tons: 81600 Crew: 6300 Length: 332.9m Width: 76.8m Draught: 13m SAM: Sea Sparrow Aircraft: 90 Speed: 33 knots Pretoria Castle [UK] * Pretoria Castle Escort carrier, conversion of a 17400 tons passenger liner. Used as training carrier. Principe de Asturias [Spain] * Principe de Asturias The only Spanish aircraft carrier, a 'sea control ship' for helicopters and V/STOL aircraft. Entered service in 1989. 16700 ton, 29 aircraft and helicopters. Ranger [USA] * Ranger The Ranger was the first US carrier designed as such from the keel up. Delivered in 1934. She was too small to be efective in combat. Name & Date: Ranger Tons: 14500 Crew: 1788 Length: 769ft Width: 80.5ft Draught: 19.7ft Guns: 8*5in, 40* Aircraft: 72 Speed: 29.3 knots Range: Ruler [UK] * Ameer, Atheling, Begum, Emperor, Empress, Khedive, Nabob, Premier, Queen, Rajah, Ranee, Ruler, Shah, Thane. US-built escort carriers, similar to the American Casablanca class. Ruyjo [Japan] * Ruyjo Light carrier, designed for 8130 ton because ships below 10.000 ton were not counted in the Washington treaty. Later the design was extended to 10770 ton, but nevertheless she was too small. Name & Date: Ryojo Tons: 10770 Crew: 600 Length: 548ft Width: 60.5ft Draught: 15.3ft Guns: 12*12.7cm Armour: Aircraft: Speed: 25 knots Range: Saipan [USA] * Saipan, Wright These were light fleet carriers, launched in 1945. Name & Date: Saipan, 1946 Tons: 14500 Crew: 1500 Length: 683ft Width: 77ft Draught: Guns: 4*5in, 40*40mm, 25*20mm Armour: Aircraft: 48 Speed: 33 knots Range: Sangamon [USA] * Sangamon, Chenango, Suwanee, Santee Escort-carriers converted from former oilers. Name & Date: Tons: 12000 Crew: 1000 Length: Width: Draught: Guns: Armour: Aircraft: Speed: Range: Seidlitz [Germany] * Seidlitz Originally a heavy cruiser of the Hipper-class, the Seidlitz was set aside for conversion to carrier. Never completed. Shinano [Japan] * Shinano Shinano was the sistership of the battleships Yamato and Musashi. She was completed as a carrier, and completed in 1944. Shoho [Japan] * Shoho, Zuiho, Ryuho These were originally built as submarine tenders, but with conversion to carriers in mind. The Washington naval treaty did not allow the buidling of more carriers. Shokaku [Japan] * Shokaku, Zuikaku Carriers, 26090 ton ships. During WWII it was often incorrectly assumed that there was a third ship of this class, Ryukaku, lost at the battle of the Coral Sea. Soryu [Japan] * Soryu, Hiryu These ships were designed as carriers after it was found that the Ruyjo was too small. They were fast, useful ships, but had relatively short range and an unarmoured deck. The island of Hiryu was on the port side, that of the Soryu at starboard. They entered service in 1936 and 1934; they were lost in the battle of Midway. Name & Date: Soryu Tons: 16160 Crew: 1100 Length: 227.5m Width: 26m Draught: 7.5m Guns: 12*127mm, 28*25mm Aircraft: 71 Speed: 34.5 kn Range: 6460nm at 18kn Taiho [Japan] * Taiho Taiho was an improved Shokaku-class carrier. She had an armoured flight deck, and the smokestack was incorporated in the island. She entered service in 1944, but there were no experienced crews for the aircraft or the ship itself, and she was torpedoed and lost a few months later. Name & Date: Taiho Tons: 29770 Crew: 1751 Length: 260.6m Width: 30m Draught: 9.6m Guns: 12*100mm, 51*25mm Aircraft: 74 Speed: 33 kn Range: 8400nm at 18kn Tarawa [USA] * Tarawa, Nassau, Belleau Wood, Da Nang, Pelileu, Saipan Amphibious assault ships, a combination of a small aircraft carrier and a landing ship. They operate helicopters and V/STOL aircraft. Name & Date: Tarawa Tons: 39300 Crew: Length: 237.8m Width: 32.3m Draught: 8.4m SAM: Sea Sparrow Aircraft: 30 Speed: 24 knots Range: Unryu [Japan] * Unryu The six ships of this class were improvements of the Hiryu. Only three of the six laid down were completed. Vindex [UK] * Vindex Escort carrier, converted from mercantile hull. Name & Date: Vindex, 4 May 1943 Tons: 13455 Crew: Length: 524ft Width: 68ft Draught: 26ft Guns: 2*4in, 16*2pdr, 8*40mm, 16*20mm Aircraft: 20 Wasp * Wasp The design of Wasp was another attempt to build a carrier, smaller than the Lexington- of Yorktown-class. The design was an improvement of the Ranger-class. The smaller size had important practical disadvantages. Wasp was sunk by a Japanese submarine in 1942. Name & Date: Wasp Tons: 14500 Crew: 2167 Length: 720ft Width: 100ft Draught: 23ft Guns: 8*5in, 16*1.1in, 24*0.5in Armour: 0.66in belt, 1.25in flight deck Aircraft: 76 Speed: 29.5 knots Range: Yorktown [USA] * Yorktown, Enterprise, Hornet This class followed on the conversions of the Lexington-class and the small Ranger. They were purpose-designed carriers. They fought in the decisive battles in the Pacific. Enterprise survived WWII and 20 battles. Name & Date: Enterprise Tons: 19900 Crew: 2072 Length: 809ft Width: 83.3ft Draught: 21.6ft Guns: 8*5in, 16*1.1in, 16* Armour: Aircraft: 85 Speed: 34 knots Range: --D-------------------------------------------------------------------------- --E-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Errors A book for children, 'Fantastische Vliegtuigen', by E. van Beem and G. H. Peeters, published by Amsterdam Boek in 1975, that is a translation of the English 'The Fantastic book of Planes', by N. de Vere and Roy Coombs, published by Anchor press in 1973, contains the following remarkable statements: * The Dornier Do X was designed by Dornier and Wal. * The Supermarine S.6B was designed by a team of the British Navy. * The GeeBee was designed by Wedell and Williams. * The Rolls-Royce TMR 'Flying Bedstead' can reach supersonic speeds. * Concorde will fly between London and Paris. The book is only 30 pages long... --F-------------------------------------------------------------------------- F-105 Thunderchief, Republic The USAF was advised by a commission to delete from this aicraft, and did so: radar-warning receiver, radar jammer, chaff dispensers, and fuel tank fire suprression systems. Thus to save costs. Of course all this had to be reinstated, at large costs, when the F-105 was used in Vietnam. Finnish Air Force Strength, november 1939 Fokker C.X 29 Fokker C.V 7 Fieseler Fi.156 Storch 2 Blackburn Ripon 8 Junkers K.43 7 VL Saaski 3 VL Kotka 1 Fokker D.XXI 36 De Havilland Moth 3 Bristol Bulldog 10 Bristol Blenheim 16 --G-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Genie, AIR-2A An air-to-air rocket, unguided, with a 1.5kT nuclear warhead. Was carried by the F-89, F-101 and F-106. German Secret Weapons of WWII A-4 Ballistic missile. A-4b Winged development of A-4. A-10 Two-stage intercontinental missile. BV 143 Glide bomb with 'feeling arm' to determine the correct height above the sea surface, intende for use against ships. Did not work. BV 246 Hagelkorn. Enzian SAM. Feuerlilie SAM, missile with radio command guidance. Friedensengel Winged torpedo. Fritz-X Guided bomb. GT 1200 Winged missile/torpedo, intended for underwater attacks on ships. Hagelkorn BV 246 long-range glide bomb. Hs 117 Scmetterling Hs 293 Winged, rocket-powered guided missiles. Hs 293A was radio-guided, Hs 293B had wire guidance and Hs 293D carried at TV camera! Hs 293C was intended to hit ships below the waterline. Hs 293H was used against USAAF bomber formations. Hs 294 Development of Hs 293. Hs 295 Development of Hs 293. Hs 296 Development of Hs 293. Hs 298 Rocket-powered, winged AAM. Peipenkopf EO-homing anti-tank missile. Pinsel EO-homing anti-tank missile. Rheinbote Four-stage, solid-fuel, unguided long-range artillery missile. About 200 fired at Antwerp. Rheintochter A large SAM. Rotkapchen Wirde-guided anti-tank missile. Schmetterling First SAM in large scale production. Production was up to 3000 per month in November 1945, but it was never used operationally. Sneewitchen Improvement of Friedensengel Steinbock IR-homing anti-tank missile Taifun Unguided anti-aircraft rocket. V-1 Fieseler Fi 103 flying bomb with pulse-jet engine. V-2 A-4 ballistic missile. Wasserfall SAM. X-4 Wire-guided AAM. X-7 Rotkapchen Zitteroschen Winged, supersonic guided missile. G-symbols Designation system for carrier aircraft, introduced by the USA in July 1945. C Monterey CC Saratoga H Lexington L Randolph M Enterprise RR Yorktown S Hornet TT Bennington U Hancock V Ticonderoga X Wasp Z Shangri-La --H-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ham Rung Bridge in Vietnam. Attacked by the USAF from 3 April 1965 to 13 May 1972, 973 times in total, with nearly 2000 ton of bombs. Then it finally dropped into the Song Ma river. Hurricane, Hawker Experiments were done with a Hurricane with an additional detachable upper wing, converting it into a biplane. The idea was that this would allow the aircraft to carry overload fuel. The prototype was little flown. 1943. --I-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inflatoplane, Goodyear An inflatable aircraft. The Inflatoplane was a small single-seat aircraft; an engine was fitted on top of the wing. The required fill pressure was low enough to be relatively safe... 1958. --J-------------------------------------------------------------------------- J87, General Electric Also known as the X211. The J87 was a nuclear jet engine. Twin gas turbines were coupled to a nuclear rector. The iar was heated by the reactor, just as it is heated by combustion in a convetional jet. For take-off, landing, and combat maneuvring chemical afterburners were provided. The J87 unit was very big. G.E. also ran an J47 on nuclear power. The J87 never tested. J91, Pratt & Whitney Design competing with the J87. The 11340kg J91 was the only full-scale nuclear jet engine to be built and tested, but it was never flown. P&W also worked on a nuclear version of the J58. --K-------------------------------------------------------------------------- KT This was a Soviet attempt to transport a tank by air. Biplane wings and twin tail booms were attached to an eight-ton tank. Test in 1942 were succesfull, but the scheme was abandoned because of doubts about the usefulness of light tanks... Kyushu J7W Shinden The J7W was a piston-engined fighter of canard configuration, built in Japan in 1945. The engine was buried in the tail, driving a six-bladed pusher propellor. Only one was flown before the end of the war. --L-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lend-Lease to the USSR October 1941 to June 1942 aircraft 1285 tanks 2249 machine-guns 81287 explosives 59455620 pounds trucks 36825 field telephones 56445 telephone wire 600000 km 1942 and 1943 aircraft 3052 tanks 4084 vehicles 520000 Fighter Aircraft P-39 5707 (4719 reached the USSR) P-40 2397 P-47 195 P-63 2397 (21 lost in transfer) Hurricane 2952 Spitfire 1331 total: 14982 (own production: 74740) Bomber and Attack Aircraft A-20 2908 B-25 862 B-24 1 Hampden 23 Albemarle 14 Mosquito 1 total: 3809 (own production: 650008) Losses, July 1940, in the Battle of Britain ---------------------- R.A.F. Fighter Command ---------------------- Hurricane 33 destroyed, 17 damaged 23 killed, 0 missing, 11 wounded Spitfire 34 destroyed, 24 damaged 25 killed, 0 missing, 9 wounded Blenheim 4 destroyed, 1 damaged 9 killed, 0 missing, 1 wounded Defiant 6 destroyed, 1 damaged 10 killed, 0 missing, 2 wounded TOTAL: 77 destroyed, 43 damaged 67 killed, 0 missing, 23 wounded ---------------------- Luftwaffe ---------------------- Dornier Do 17 39 destroyed, 13 damaged 30 killed, 74 missing, 19 wounded Junkers Ju 87 13 destroyed, 11 damaged 10 killed, 12 missing, 3 wounded Junkers Ju 88 39 destroyed, 11 damaged 52 killed, 67 missing, 11 wounded Heinkel He 111 32 destroyed, 3 damaged 52 killed, 85 missing, 6 wounded Messerschmitt Bf 109 48 destroyed, 14 damaged 17 killed, 14 missing, 13 wounded Messerschmitt Bf 110 18 destroyed, 4 damaged 13 killed, 17 missing, 2 wounded Other 27 destroyed, 1 damaged 19 killed, 33 missing, 15 wounded TOTAL: 216 destroyed, 57 damaged 193 killed, 302 missing, 69 wounded ---------------------- Losses, August 1940, in the Battle of Britain ---------------------- R.A.F. Fighter Command ---------------------- Hurricane 211 destroyed, 44 damaged 85 killed, 1 missing, 68 wounded Spitfire 113 destroyed, 40 damaged 41 killed, 3 missing, 38 wounded Blenheim 13 destroyed, 10 damaged 6 killed, 3 missing, 0 wounded Defiant 7 destroyed, 3 damaged 7 killed, ? missing, 4 wounded Beaufighter 0 destroyed, 1 damaged 0 killed, 0 missing, 0 wounded TOTAL: 344 destroyed, 98 damaged 139 killed, 7 missing, 110 wounded ---------------------- Luftwaffe ---------------------- Dornier Do 17 71 destroyed, 30 damaged 70 killed, 129 missing, 57 wounded Junkers Ju 87 57 destroyed, 16 damaged 35 killed, 58 missing, 19 wounded Junkers Ju 88 89 destroyed, 32 damaged 94 killed, 182 missing, 19 wounded Heinkel He 111 89 destroyed, 15 damaged 113 killed, 204 missing, 35 wounded Messerschmitt Bf 109 217 destroyed, 45 damaged 54 killed, 91 missing, 39 wounded Messerschmitt Bf 110 119 destroyed, 40 damaged 80 killed, 113 missing, 22 wounded Other 27 destroyed, 4 damaged 17 killed, 27 missing, 10 wounded TOTAL: 669 destroyed, 182 damaged 463 killed, 804 missing, 201 wounded ---------------------- Losses, September/October 1940, in the Battle of Britain ---------------------- R.A.F. Fighter Command ---------------------- Hurricane 294 destroyed, 77 damaged 107 killed, 2 missing, 10 wounded Spitfire 195 destroyed, 76 damaged 67 killed, 1 missing, ? wounded Blenheim 12 destroyed, 4 damaged 26 killed, 3 missing, 55 wounded TOTAL: 501 destroyed, 157 damaged 200 killed, 6 missing, 162 wounded ---------------------- Luftwaffe ---------------------- Dornier Do 17 82 destroyed, 36 damaged 147 killed, 94 missing, 50 wounded Junkers Ju 87 1 destroyed, 3 damaged 1 killed, ? missing, ? wounded Junkers Ju 88 175 destroyed, 85 damaged 251 killed, 227 missing, 74 wounded Heinkel He 111 131 destroyed, 78 damaged 203 killed, 184 missing, 67 wounded Messerschmitt Bf 109 326 destroyed, 96 damaged 77 killed, 159 missing, 36 wounded Messerschmitt Bf 110 124 destroyed, 26 damaged 91 killed, 109 missing, 17 wounded Other 43 destroyed, 7 damaged 23 killed, 35 missing, 16 wounded TOTAL: 882 destroyed, 331 damaged 793 killed, 808 missing, 260 wounded ---------------------- --M-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Makhonine An early variable geometry aircraft, built in France in 1931. The wings were of telescopic construction: the outer wing panels could be retracted into the inboard panels. Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe One of the weirdest weapon tests of WWII was an attempt to TOW a winged bomb behind a Me 262. It was a failure. Most built aircraft of WWII. Top-three in different categories: Trainer: Polikarpov Po-2 20.000+ North American AT-6 Texan 15.000+ Avro Anson 11.020 Recconaissance: Consolidated PBY Catalina 3.290 Fieseler Fi 156 Storch 1.549 Lockheed Hudson 2.000 Fighter: Messerschmitt Me 109 35.000+ Yakovlev Yak-1 family 30.000+ Supermarine Spitfire 20.351 Attack: Ilyushin Il-2 35.000+ Grumman TBF Avenger 9.836 Junkers Ju-87 Stuka 5.709 Bomber: Consolidated B-24 Liberator 18.188 Junkers Ju-88 14.980 (fighters inc.) Vickers Wellington 11.461 North American B-25 Mitchell 11.000+ Transport Douglas C-47, C-53, ... 13.000+ Junkers Ju-52/3m 4.835 Curtiss C-46 Commando 3.200 --N-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Naval Air Reserve Station Codes A Anacostia B Atlanta C Columbus D Dallas E Minneapolis F Jacksonville F Oakland H Miami H Niagara Falls I Grosse Ile K Olathe L Akron L Los Alamitos M Memphis N Spokane P Denver R New York S Norfolk T Seattle U St. Louis V Glenview W Willow Grove X New Orleans Z South Weymouth Naval Strength, France, September 1939 Battleships 8 (+4 under construction) Aircraft Carriers 1 (+2) Heavy Cruisers 7 (+1) Light Cruisers 12 (+3) Destroyers 78 (+27) Submarines 75 (+38) Sloops and escorts 63 (+30) Naval Strength, Germany, September 1939 Battleships 2 (+ 11 under construction) Armoured Cruisers 3 Heavy Cruisers 2 (+3) Light Cruisers 6 (+6) Destroyers 22 (+12) Torpedo Boats 20 (+13) Submarines 59 (+50) Naval Strength, Italy, June 1940 Battleships 6 (+2 under construction) Heavy Cruisers 7 Light Cruisers 12 (+12) Old Cruisers 3 Destroyers 54 (+5) Old destroyers 5 Torpedo Boats 63 Submarines 112 (+17) Old Submarines 7 Naval Strength, UK, September 1939 Battleships 15 (+9 under construction) Aircraft Carriers 6 (+6) Heavy Cruisers 15 Light Cruisers 40 (+8) AA Cruisers 6 (+16) Cruiser-Minelayer 1 (+4) Destroyers 113 (+24) Old destroyers 68 Submarines 47 (+12) Old submarines 12 Escorts 54 (+80) Fleet minesweepers 42 (+10) Monitors 2 Netlayers 2 Naval Strength, USA, December 1941 Battleships 16 (+16 under construction) Aircraft Carriers 7 (+11) Heavy cruisers 18 (+8) Light Cruisers 19 (+32) AA Cruisers 6 Destroyers 171 (+188) Submarines 114 (+79) Netherlands Air Force, Strength on 10 May 1940 Fokker C.X 11 Fokker T.V 9 Fokker D.XXI 28 Fokker G.I 23 Koolhoven F.K.51 16 Douglas DB-8A 11 Nicknames Aardvark General Dynamics F-111 Able Dog Douglas AD Skyraider Aerobee Aerojet General X-8 All Three Dead Douglas A3D Skywarrier Aluminium Overcast Convair B-36 Peacemaker Aluminium Overcast Lockheed C-5 Galaxy Aluminium Overcast Douglas C-124 Globemaster Angel Lockheed U-2 Anushka Antonov An-2 Ass-Ender Curtiss XP-55 Ascender Awful Terrible Six North American AT-6 Texan Baltimore Whore Martin B-26 Marauder Bamboo Bomber Cessna UC-78 Bobcat Banjo McDonnell F2H Banshee Bantam Bomber Douglas A-4 Skyhawk Barge Douglas SBD Dauntless Bat Plane Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk Beast Curtiss SB2C Helldiver Bee Tee Vultee BT-13 Valiant Bent-Wing Bird Vought F4U Corsair Blackfish Fairey Swordfish (built by Blackburn) Blechesel (Tin Donkey) Junkers J I Bloody Paraliser Handley Page 0/400 Biff Bristol F.2B Big Bird McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle Big Stick Convair B-36 Peacemaker Billy's Bomber North American B-25 Mitchell Blackbird Lockheed SR-71 Black Jet Lockheed F-117 Bleed-Air Blimp Lockheed C-130 Hercules Bone Rockwell B-1 Lancer Boomerang Northrop B-2 Spirit Brisfit Bristol F2B Bucon Hispano HA 1112K Budget Bomber Northrop B-2 Spirit Buff Boeing B-52 Stratofortress (Big, Ugly Fat F*****) Bug Smasher Beech C-45 Expeditor Bumble Bee McDonnell XF-85 Goblin Buzz Bomb V-1 Cadillac Northrop M2 Canuck Curtiss JN-4D Catfish Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk Cee One-Oh-Boom Consolidated C-109 Liberator Chaika (Gull) Beriev Be-12 'Mail' Chaika (Gull) Polikarpov I-153 Chickenhawk Cessna T-41 Mescalero Chipmunk Boeing RC-135C Clunk Douglas SBD Dauntless Coconutknocker Boeing B-52 Stratofortress Connie Lockeed Constellation Convertor Cessna T-37 Cradle Fairchild PT-19 Cranberry Martin B-57 Canberra Crane Sykorsky CH-54 Tarhe Crowd Killer Fairchild C-87 Packet Crowd Killer Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar Dagger Convair F-102 Delta Dagger Dart Convair F-106 Delta Dart Delta Queen Convair B-58 Hustler Deuce Convair F-102 Delta Dagger Dinosaur Boeing X-20 Dyna-Soar Dogship Grumman A-6 Intruder Dollar Nineteen Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar Doodlebug V-1 Dorito MDD A-12 Double-Breasted Cub Cessna UC-78 Bobcat Double Ugly McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II Double Ugly Grumman EA-6B Prowler Dowager Ducchess Douglas C-47 Dakota Dragon Lady Lockheed U-2 Dreifinger (Three Fingers) Junkers Ju 88 Droop Snoot Lockheed P-38 Lightning with glass nose Egg Hughes OH-6 Cayuse Electric Jet General Dynamics F-16 Emil Messerschmitt Bf 109E Etagere (elevator) NC.1071 Faithfull Annie Avro Anson Fat Albert Lockheed C-130 Hercules Fertile Myrtle Grumman AF-2W Guardian Fifi Grumman F3F Fliegendes Stachelschwein Short Sunderland Flying Banana Vertol CH-21 Workhorse Flying Bathtub Northrop M2F Flying Bedstead Rolls-Royce TMR Flying Carrot Westland Lysander Flying Coffin Airspeed Horsa Flying Dump Truck Douglas AD Skyraider Flying Edsel General Dynamics F-111 Flying Eggbeater Sikorsky R-4 Hoverfly Flying Gas Station Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker Flying Prostitute Martin B-26 Marauder Flying Potato Martin-Marietta X-24A Flying Flatiron Martin-Marietta X-24B Flying Shithouse Kaman HH-43 Huskie Flying Suitcase Handley Page Hampden Flying Speed Brake Lockheed Constellation Flying Washboard Ford Trimotor FOD Vacuum Northrop F-89 Scorpion Ford Douglas F4D Skyray Fork-tailed Devil Lockheed P-38 Lightning FRED Lockheed C-5 Galaxy (Fantastic Ridiculous Economic Disaster) Fritz Messerschmitt Bf 109F Frog Martin P5M Mariner Frustrated Palm Tree Sikorsky R-4 Hoverfly Gabelschwanzteufel Lockheed P-38 Lightning (Fork-tailed devil) Gator Boeing T-43 Go Get Him Fido AIM-120 AMRAAM Ghost Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk Ginnie Vickers Virginia Gipsy Rose Lee Curtiss P-40L Warhawk Gliding Electric Show Grumman EA-6B Prowler GLOB Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker (Ground Loving Old Bastard) Gooney Bird Douglas C-47 Dakota Grand Old Lady Douglas C-47 Dakota Ground Gripper De Havilland Trident Ground Loving Whore Republic F-84F Thunderstreak Guppy Grumman AF-2W Guardian Gustav Messerschmitt Bf 109G Gutless Cutlass Vought F7U Cutlass Habu Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird Heinneman's Hot Rod Douglas A-4 Skyhawk Helldiver Curtiss F8C Herk Lockheed C-130 Hercules Hog Republic F-84 Thunderjet Hog Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II Hog Lockheed C-130 Hercules Hog Bell UH-1 Iroquois Hog Nose Boeing RC-135M Hook Boeing CH-47 Chinook Huey Bell UH-1 Iroquois Huey Cobra Bell AH-1 Cobra Hummer Cessna T-37 Hummer Grumman E-2 Hawkeye Hun North American F-100 Super Sabre Iron Butterfly Republic F-105 Thunderchief Ironworks Grumman Jenny Curtiss JN Jug Republic P-47 Thunderbolt Jump Jet BAe/MDD AV-8 Harrier Kaasjager (Cheese fighter) North American F-86K Sabre Katy Payen Pa 49 Katyusha Tupolev SB-2 Kanonenvogel Junkers Ju 87G Kraft Ei (power egg) Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet Lanc Avro Lancaster Lawn Dart General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon Lawn Dart Rockwell B-1 Lancer Lead Sled McDonnell F3H Demon Lead Sled Republic F-84 Thunderjet Lead Sled Republic F-105 Thunderchief Lead Sled Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird Lead Sled Boeing RC-135U Lieutenant Eater Republic F-84 Thunderjet Little Hummer General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon Little Hummer Douglas A-26 Invader Little Racer Douglas A-26 Invader Lizzie Westland Lysander Loach Hughes OH-6 Cayuse Magnesium Overcast Convair B-36 Peacemaker Man-Eater LTV A-7 Corsair II Maytag Messerschmitt Ryan PT-22 Recruit Meatbox Gloster Meteor Mezek ("Mule") Avia S-199 MiG Master Vought F8U Crusader Mighty Iron Hardware Republic F-105 Thunderchief Mighty Mite Douglas A-4 Skyhawk Monkeyknocker Boeing B-52 Stratofortress Mos Neata (Geezer) I.A.R. 39 Mosca (Fly) Polikarpov I-16 Mushka (Fly) Polikarpov I-16 Nighthawk Lockheed F-117 Ninak De Havilland D.H.9A North American Safety Jet North American T-2 Buckeye Old Metuselah Douglas C-47 Dakota Old Shaky Douglas C-124 Globemaster Old Smokey McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II Olive on a toothpick Hughes OH-6 Cayuse One-Oh-Wonder McDonnell F-101 Voodoo Overcast North American B-70 Valkyrie Panzerknacker Junkers Ju 87G Peacemaker Convair B-36 Pea Shooter Boeing P-26 Peter Dash Flash North American P-51 Mustang Pinball Bell RP-63 Kingcobra Placid Plodder Douglas C-47 Dakota Polecat Grumman X-29 Porker Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II Pregnant Beast Grumman TBF Avenger Puff, the Magic Dragon Douglas AC-47 Pylly Walteri Brewster B-239 Buffalo (Finnish) (Bustling Walter) Queen Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Q-bird Grumman EA-6B Prowler Queer Grumman EA-6B Prowler Radial Interceptor Beech T-34 Mentor Rhapsody in Glue Cessna UC-78 Bobcat Rhino McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II Sabre Dog North American F-86D Sabre Scarier BAe/MDD AV-8 Harrier Scrapper Grumman AF-2S Guardian Seven Balls Two Convair XF-92 Shagbat Supermarine Walrus Shar BAe Sea Harrier Shithook Boeing CH-47 Chinook Silver Bullet Convair XP-81 Silver Dollar North American F-100 Super Sabre Silver Sow Boeing C-135 Six Convair F-106 Delta Dart Six Shooter Convair F-106 Delta Dart Skooter Douglas A-4 Skyhawk Skunk Works Lockheed's Burbank plant Skycrane Sykorsky CH-54 Tarhe Skyhog Douglas A-4 Skyhawk SLAT Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II (Slow, Low Aerial Target) Sled Lockheed SR-71 Slick Bell UH-1 Iroquois Slick Chick North American RF-100A Slow But Deadly Douglas SBD Dauntless Slow Navy Bomber Beech SNB Kansan Sluf LTV A-7 Corsair II (Short, little ugly fellah) Snake Bell AH-1 Cobra Snake Lockheed P2V Neptune Son of a Bitch 2nd Class Curtiss SB2C Helldiver Spad Douglas A-1 Skyraider Spam Can North American P-51 Mustang Sparkvark Grumman EF-111 Raven Speedy Three Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless Spit Supermarine Spitfire Squash Bomber Republic F-105 Thunderchief Staggerwing Beech 17 Superbolt Republic P-47 Thunderbolt with 'bubble' cockpit. Stanley Steamer Northrop F-89 Scorpion Star Lizard Lockheed C-141 Starlifter Sterile Arrow Grumman EA-6B Prowler Stoof Grumman S2F Tracker Strat Boeing 377 Stratocruiser Stratobladder Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker Strike Pig Boeing T-43 Stringbag Fairey Swordfish Stuka Junkers Ju-87 Super Hog Republic F-84F Thunderstreak Super Shitter Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion Swinger General Dynamics F-111 Switchblade General Dynamics F-111 Swoose Goose Vultee XP-54 Tadpole Grumman A-6 Intruder Taivaan Helmi (Sky Pearl) Brewster B-239 Buffalo (Finnish) Tank Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker Tante Ju Junkers Ju 52/3m Tausendfussler Arado Ar 232 T-bird Lockheed T-33 T-bolt Republic P-47 Thunderbolt Tennis Court McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle Thud Republic F-105 Thunderchief Thunder Piglet Fairchild Republic T-46A Thunderscreech Republic XF-84H Tin Goose Ford Trimotor Tinker Toy Douglas A-4 Skyhawk Tin Mossie Vickers 432 Torbeau Bristol Beaufighter TF.X Tripehound Sopwith Triplane Triple Threat Republic F-105 Thunderchief Tsetse De Havilland Mosquito FB Mk.XVIII T-tailed Mountain Magnet Lockheed C-141 Starlifter Tub Convair TF-102 Delta Dagger Turkey Grumman F-14 Tomcat Turkey Grumman TBF Avenger Tweet Cessna T-37 Tweety Bird Cessna T-37 Ubiytsa (Killer) Yakovlev Yak-3U Ultra Hog Republic F-105 Thunderchief Useless 78 Cessna UC-78 Bobcat Velcro Hawk Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk Vibrator Vultee BT-13 Valiant Viper General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon Voting Member F-16 pilot Warthog Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II Whale Douglas F3D Skynight Whale Douglas A3D Skywarrior Whispering Death Vought F4U Corsair (apocryphical?) Whispering Death Bristol Beaufighter Whistling Shitcan BAe/MDD AV-8 Harrier White Rocket Northrp T-38 Talon Widow-Maker Martin B-26 Marauder Willy Fudd Grumman W2F Wimpy Vickers Wellington Wobblin' Goblin Lockheed F-117 World's Largest Dog Whistle Cessna T-37 Yastreb (Hawk) Polikarpov I-16 Yastrebok (Little Hawk) Polikarpov I-16 Yellow Peril Stearman N2S / PT-17 Kaydet Nuclear Bombs, United States Bomb Yield Type Weight ------------------------------------------------------------- B28 70kt to 1.45MT Fusion 919kg to 1152kg B43 1MT Fusion 934kg to 971kg B53 9MT Fusion 4014kg B57 5kT to 10kT Fission 231kg to 322kg B61 10kT to 100kT Boosted Fission 326kg to 347kg B83 MT Fission 1092kg --O-------------------------------------------------------------------------- --P-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Peacetime shootdowns. 9 August 1946 A C-47 transport over Yugoslavia 19 August 1946 A C-47 transport over Yugoslavia 8 April 1950 An US PB4Y-2 Privateer, shot down over the Baltic Sea. 6 November 1951 An US P2V-3 Neptune of VP-6 , shot down near Vladivostok. 18 November 1951 A C-47 transport over Hungary June 1952 A Swedish ELINT DC-3 shot down over the Baltic. A Catalina looking for it was shot down too. 13 June 1952 A RB-29 over the Sea of Japan, near Hokkaido. 7 October 1952 A RB-29 over the Kurile Islands 12 January 1953 A B-29 on a leaflet-dropping mission over Manchuria. 18 January 1953 A P2V over Formosa Strait 10 March 1953 A F-84 over Germany. 29 July 1953 A RB-50 over the Sea of Japan. 17 August 1953 A T-6 over the Korean demilitarized zone. 4 September 1954 A P2V-5 of VP-1. 4 September 1954 A RB-29 over the Sea of Japan, north of Hokkaido. 19 January 1955 Over the Korean demilitarized zone. 17 April 1955 A RB-47 near Kamchatka. 22 June 1955 A P2V-5 Neptune was attacked over the Bering Strait. The USA demanded $724,947; the USSR finally payed half. 17 August 1955 A T-6 over the Korean demilitarized zone. 22 August 1956 A P4M Mercator near Wenchow, China. 10 September 1956 RB-50 over the Sea of Japan. 23 December 1957 A T-33 over Albania. 6 March 1958 A F-86 over North Korea. 27 June 1958 A C-118 over the USSR (Armenia). 2 September 1958 A C-130 over the USSR (Armenia). 4 July 1959 A P4M of VQ-1, attacked near to Korean peninsula by MiG-15s. Damaged, one wounded crewmember. 1 February 1960 The Lockheed U-2 of Gary Powers, shot down by an SA-2 'Guideline' missile, near Sverdlovsk, USSR. 25 May 1960 A C-47 over East Germany. 1 July 1960 An RB-47 over the Barentz Sea. 27 October 1962 An U-2 over Cuba. 17 May 1963 A helicopter over the Korean demilitarized zone. 6 August 1963 An LT over North Korea 24 January 1964 A T-39 over East Germany. 10 March 1964 A RB-66 over East Germany. 24 December 1957 A RB-57 over the Black Sea. 30 June 1968 A DC-8 over the Kurile islands. 15 April 1969 An EC-121 over North Korea. 17 August 1969 An OH-23 over the Korean demilitarized zone. 21 October 1970 An U-8 over the USSR (Armenia). 14 July 1977 A CH-47 over North Korea 6 September 1983 October A Boeing 747 of KAL, shot down over Sachalin by a Su-15. All 269 on board were killed. Phonetic Alphabet, German, WWII Anton Berta Caesar Dora Emil Friedrich Gustav Heinrich Ida Josef Konrad/Kurfurst Ludwig Martha Nordpol Otto Paula Quelle Richard Siegfried Toni Ulrich Viktor Wilhelm Xantippe Ypern Zeppelin (B-Bruno and F-Fritz were used in aircraft designations.) Phonetic alphabet, 1952 version Alpha Bravo Coca Delta Echo Foxtrot Gulf Hotel India Juliet Kilo Lima Metro Nectar Oscar Papa Quebec Romeo Sierra Tango Union Victor Whisky Extra Yankee Zulu Phonetic alphabet, 1956 NATO version Alpha Bravo Charlie Delta Echo Foxtrot Gulf Hotel India Juliet Kilo Lima Mike November Oscar Papa Quebec Romeo Sierra Tango Uniform Victor Whiskey X-ray Yankee Zulu Pyinmana A bridge in Burma. During WWII, several thousand of bombs were dropped on this bridge, without much effect. It was finally destroyed in December 1944 by US VB Azon guided bombs. --Q-------------------------------------------------------------------------- --R-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Radar and detection sets, German, WWII Berlin, FuG 240 Airborne radar. Dish antenna inside stremalined nose cover; 30 to 50 issued to service units, mostly on the Ju 88G-6. Berlin used a wavelength of 10cm and was based on captured examples of the British cavity magnetron. Flensburg, FuG 227 Passive homing device, tracking the allied 'Monica' tail-warning radar. Antennea were fitted to the outer wing panels, projecting from the leading edges. Freya, FuGM 80 Long-range ground radar. Range 120km, Frequency 125MHz, range precision 125m, angle precision 0.5 degrees. Hohentwiel, FuG 200 Anti-ship radar. Kiel IR detector. Lichtenstein BC, FuG 202 Airborne radar. 409MHz, maximum range 4km, minimum range 200m. Four masts on the nose of the aircraft, each with an X-frame on top that carried four tandems of vertical dipoles. Lichtenstein C-1, FuG 212 Airborne radar. Simplified and updated FuG 202; longer masts, small streamlined cap over the nose of the mast. Lichtenstein SN-2, FuG 220 Airborne radar. The first version operated at 91MHz, maximum range 5km, minimum range 500m. Later sets could use different frequency bands and also had a switchover capability for short ranges. Four large curved masts, each carrying a tandem set of vertical dipoles. Often combined with FuG 202 and FuG 212 because of the large minimum range, until this was cured. Later sets had dipoles not vertical but at 45 degrees. Some sets also had a tail-waring antenna, fitted under the tailplane or on the rudder. Mammut, FuMO 51 Long-range ground detection radar. Range up to 300km, frequency between 120 and 138MHz. Range precision 300m, angle precision 0.5 degrees. Morgenstern Alternate antenna arrangment for the Lichtenstein (or Neptun?) radar; a single mast carried three crosses of antennas, decreasing in size towards the tip. This reduced drag. Sometimes fitted in a conical nose cover, with the tips of the anttenas protruding from it. Naxos Z, FuG 350 Passive homing device. Naxos detected the emissions of the H2S ground-mapping radar sets of allied bombers. A teardrop-shaped cover. Neptun, Fug 218 Airborne radar. Frequency could be set between 158 and 187MHz, maximum range 5km, minimum range 130m. A single nose mast with a large X-cross, or four masts, and a tandem set of dipoles on each tip of the cross. A small mast on top of the vertical fin was fitted for tail-warning. A version with four sets of three antennas was fitted to the Fw 190. Spanner IR detectors. Spanner I used an IR searchlight, Spanner II used passive detection only. Only Spanner I was of any use. Wassermann, FuGM 402 Long-range ground detection radar. Range 190km, frequency between 120 and 158MHz. Range precision 300m, angle precision 0.25 degrees. Wurzburg, FuMG 39/62 Short-range ground radar. Range 170km, frequency 560MHz, range precision 100m, angle precision 0.2 degrees. Rockets, United States Type Size ================================================================== Mk 4 2.75 in Mk 40 2.75 in Mk 66 2.75 in Zuni 5 in ================================================================== Warheads: M247 Shaped-charge (2.75in) M255 Flechette fragmentation (2.75in) M261 Subminution dispenser (2.75in) M262 Illumination (2.75in) M264 Smoke Screen (2.75in) M267 Smoke, training (2.75in) Russian Air Force, Order of Battle in 1993 Strategic Forces 43 Tu-95-K-20/22 Bear-B/G 27 Tu-95MS Bear-H 4 Tu-160 Blackjack Air Defence Forces Fighters: 676 MiG-23 Flogger 174 MiG-25 Foxbat 300 MiG-31 Foxhound 200 Su-27 Flanker AWACS 15 A-50 Mainstay 10 Tu-126 Moss Air Force Medium Bombers 30 Tu-16 Badger 65 Tu-22 Blinder 100 Tu-22M Backfire Tactical Interceptors 400 MiG-23 Flogger 21 MiG-25 Foxbat 430 MiG-29 Fulcrum 30 MiG-31 Foxhound 150 Su-27 Flanker Ground-attack aircraft 400 MiG-27 Flogger 120 Su-17/22 Fitter 480 Su-24 Fencer 192 Su-25 Frogfoot Reconnaissance / ECM aircraft 125 An-12 Cub 100 An-26 Curl 20 An-30 Clank 20 Il-20/22 Coot 85 MiG-25 Foxbat 90 Su-24 Fencer 50 Su-17 Fitter 70 Tu-16 Badger 30 Tu-22 Blinder 40 Yak-28 Brewer Tankers 20 Il-78 Midas 10 M-4 Bison 20 Tu-16 Badger Transports 350 An-12 Cubs 45 An-22 Cock 26 An-124 Condor 297 Il-76 Candid 300 An-2 Colt 100 An-24 Coke 50 An-32 Cline 20 An-72/74 Coaler 1 An-225 Cossack 150 L-410VP 20 Tu-134/154 Crusty/Careless 25 Yak-49 Codling Naval Air Forces Bombers and Strike aircraft 15 Tu-16 Badger 15 Tu-22 Blinder 165 Tu-22M Backfire Interceptors 47 MiG-29 Fulcrum 20 Su-33 Flanker 15 Yak-38 Forger Fighter / Attack aircraft 30 MiG-27 Flogger 35 Su-17 Fitter 107 Su-24 Fencer 55 Su-25 Frogfoot Tankers 6 Tu-16 Badger Reconaissance / EW aircraft 7 An-12 Cub 3 Il-20 Coot 24 Tu-16 Badger 20 Su-24 Fencer 6 Tu-22 Blinder 24 Tu-95RT Bear-D ASW aircraft 55 Be-12 Mail 36 Il-38 May 88 Ka-25 Hormone-A 88 Ka-27 Helix-A 63 Mi-14 Haze-A 58 Tu-142 Bear-F --S-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ship losses & victories... Involving carriers and/or air attack. D4 30 April 1915 British Submarine Conning tower damaged by attack from a German airship, the Zeppelin L 9. ? 12 August 1915 Turkish Supply Ship The first ship ever sunk by torpedo air attack, by a Short 184 seaplane from the seaplane tender Ben-My-Chree. Another was sunk on 17 August. Foucault 15 September 1916 French submarine Sunk by an Austrian Lohner flying boat. U-36 20 May 1917 German Submarine Sunk in the North Sea by a Curtiss H-12 Large America flying boat of the RNAS. Stroini 22 August 1917 Russian destroyer Sunk in shallow water in the Baltic, hit by 60kg bopmbs dropped by German Friedrichshafen FF41A floatplanes. C-25 6 July 1918 British submarine Damaged (sunk?) by German floatplanes. Panay 1937 US Gunboat Sunk by Japanese aircraft, on the Yangtse river. It was declared and 'accident', and the Japanese government apologized. Espana 30 April 1937 Spanish Nationalist Battleship Sunk by Republican Aircraft (?) Emden 4 September 1939 German Cruiser Damaged in Schillig when hit by a downed Blenheim bomber. Courageous 1939 British carrier Sunk by an U-boat, U-29, in the Channel of Bristol. Iron Duke 1939 British battleship Damaged by German bombers, at Scapa Flow. Konigsberg 10 April 1940 German Light Cruiser Sunk by British aircraft when at Bergen; later refloated. ? German destroyer U-64 13 April 1940 German submarine Sunk by a Swordfish floatplane, launched by the battleship HMS Warspite. Resolution 18 May 1940 British Battleship Hit by a 1000kg bomb from a Junkers Ju 88, near Narvik. Glorious 8 June 1940 British carrier Sunk by the battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau while transporting Hurricanes off Norway. Richelieu 7 July 1940 French battleship Rendered inoperative at Dakar by air attack from the light British carrier Hermes. Eagle 9 July 1940 British carrier Damaged by near-missing Italian bombs. Conte di Cavour Italian battleship Littorio Italian battleship Duilio 11 November 1940 Italian battleship Conte di Cavour was destroyed and the two other severly damaged by 21 Swordfishes that attacked Taranto, launched by the British carrier Illustrious. Illustrious 16 January 1941 British carrier Heavily damaged by German dive bombers, at Malta. Southampton 11 January 1941 British cruiser Hit by German aircraft in the Mediterranean; sunk by its crew. Pola 28 March 1941 Italian heavy cruiser Crippled by air attack from the British carrier Formidable in the battle at Cape Matapan; sunk by battleships together with the escorting cruisers Zara and Fiume. Diamant British destroyer Wyneck April 1941 British destroyer Sunk by Stukas in Nauplion, Greece. Gneisenau 6 April 1941 German battlecruiser Damaged by RAF torpedo attack at Brest. Hit several times in the following days. Fiji British Cruiser Gloucester 22 May 1941 British Cruiser Sunk off Kreta by German and Italian aircraft. Bismarck 26 May 1941 German battleship Crippled by torpedo attack by a Swordfish from Ark Royal; sunk by battleships King George V and Rodney. Lutzow 12 June 1941 German pocket battleship Damaged by RAF torpedo attack south of Stavanger. U-570 27 August 1941 German submarine Forced to surrender by a RAF Hudson. Marat 23 September 1941 Soviet Battleship Sunk at Kronstadt by a 1000kg bomb dropped by a Ju 87. Latona 24 October 1941 British minelayer Sunk by air attack. Ark Royal 12 November British Carrier Sunk by the German submarine U-81 off Gibraltar. U-206 30 November 1941 German Submarine Sunk by a Whitley using ASV radar, in the Bay of Biscay. Nevada US battleship Penssylvania US battleship Tennesee US battleship California US battleship Maryland US battleship West Virginia US battleship Arizona US battleship Oklahoma 7 December 1941 US battleship Helena US cruiser Honolulu US cruiser Raleigh US cruiser Cassin US destroyer Downes US destroyer Oglala US mine layer Victims of Japanese air attack at Pearl Harbour; the ships were later repaired, with exception of Arizona Oklahoma, and the two destroyers. ? 10 December 1941 Japanese Submarine Sunk by aircraft from the USS Enterprise, north of Hawaii. Prince of Wales British battleship Repulse 10 December 1941 British battlecruiser Sunk by Japanese G3M 'Nell' bombers. Audacity 21 December 1941 British escort carrier Sunk by U-741. U-451 21 December 1941 German submarine First submarine to be sunk at night by an aircraft using ASV radar, a Fairey Swordfish. Gneisenau 26 February 1942 German battlecruiser Damaged by bombs while in dock; repairs abandoned. Langley 27 February 1942 US aircraft tender The former carrier CV-1. Sunk by Japanese bombers. Dorsetshire British cruiser Cornwall 5 April 1942 British cruiser Sunk by Japanese carrier aircraft in the Indian Ocean. Hermes 9 April 1942 British light carrier Sunk by air attack from Japanese carriers. Shokaku Japanese carrier Shoho 7-8 May 1942 Japanese carrier Shoho was sunk and Shokaku damaged by air attack in the battle of the Coral Sea. Lexington 8 May 1942 US carrier Lost to Japanese air attack in the battle of the Coral Sea. Mogami Japanese cruiser Mikuma Japanese cruiser Kaga Japanese carrier Akagi Japanese carrier Soryu Japanese carrier Hiryu 4 June 1942 Japanese carrier Kaga Akagi, Soryu and Hiryu were lost to air attack from Enterprise, Yorktown and Hornet in the battle of Midway. Mogami collided with Mikuma; the first was then damaged and the latter sunk by US aircraft. Yorktown 4 June 1942 US carrier Damaged by air attack from Hiryu in the battle of Midway, sunk at 7 June by submarine I-19. Trento 14 June 1942 Italian Cruiser Hit twice by torpedoes from RAF Beaforts; then sunk by submarine P35. Eagle 11 August 1942 British Carrier Sunk by four torpedos of the German submarine U-73, at the Tunesian coast. Kinugasa 13 November 1942 Japanese cruiser Sunk by aircraft from USS Enterprise, near Guadalcanal, together with 7 transport ships. Enterprise 24 August 1942 US carrier Damaged by air attack in the battle of the Eastern Solomons. Ruyjo 24 August 1942 Japanese light carrier Sunk by air attack in the battle of the Eastern Solomons. ? 1 September 1942 German submarine Sunk by PBY Catalina in the North Atlantic. Hornet US carrier Wasp 15 September 1942 US carrier Sunk by Japanese submarine I-19 south of Guadalcanal. Enterprise 26 October 1942 US carrier Hornet was sunk and Enterprise damaged by air attack in the battle of Santa Cruz. Hiei 13 November 1942 Japanese battleship Torpedoes by US aircraft after being damaged in gunfight with the cruisers San Fransisco and Atlanta; scuttled. U-331 17 November 1942 German submarine Sunk by air attack in the Mediterranean. ? 14 January 1943 Italian submarine Rendered inoperative by RAF Beauforts; finished off by naval vessels. South-East of Malta. ? 2-4 March 1943 Japanese shipping Approximately 40.000 tons of Japanese shipping sunk by air attack in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea. U-384 19 March 1943 German submarine Sunk by a B-24. U-630 German submarine U-710 4 May 1943 German submarine U-630 was sunk by Canadian flying boat and U-710 by a British aircraft, during an attack on an Allied convoy in the Atlantic. On this occasion, the Germans also lost U-638, U-125, U-531, U-438, U-659 and U-439! U-572 23 May 1943 German submarine Sunk by rocket attack by a Swordfish from the escort carrier HMS Archer. This was the first victim of the new 3in rocket. U-185 August 1943 German submarine Sunk by air-dropped acoustic torpedo. Landguard 25 August 1943 British destroyer Landguard suffered light damage from a near of miss of a Henschel Hs 293 guided missile -- the first use of such weapon. Athabascan 27 August 1943 Canadian destroyer Egret 27 August 1943 British corvette Egret had the dubious honour of being the first warship ever sunk by an air-launched guided missile, a German Hs 293A-1. Athabascan was damaged. Warspite 1943 British Battleship Damaged by German guided bomb; never fully repaired. Italia Italian battleship Roma 9 September 1943 Italian battleship Roma was sunk by two German Fritz-X guided bombs while on its way to surrender. Italia was damaged. ? 5 November 1943 Japanese Several cruisers and destroyers damaged by aircraft from USS Princeton and USS Saratoga, on their way from Truk to Rabaul. Later more damage was done by attack from Essex, Bukber Hill and Independence. U-123 7 November 1943 German Submarine Damaged by 57mm shells fired by a Mosquito. Liscombe Bay 24 November 1943 US escort carrier Sunk by Japanese submarine I-175 at the Gilbert Islands. Spartan 29 January 1944 British cruiser Sunk by German guided bomb. U-288 April 1944 German submarine Sunk by a Grumman TBF Avenger Tirpitz 3 April 1944 German battleship Damaged by carrier air strike. Block Island 29 May 1944 US escort carrier Sunk by U-549 at the Canary Islands. U-505 June 1944 German submarine Captured by CVE-60 Guadalcanal and escort group; now in Chicago's museum of Science and Technology. U-955 German submarine U-970 6 june 1944 German submarine Sunk by Coastal Command aircraft when attempting to attack the invasion fleet off Normandy. Harusama 8 June 1944 Japanese destroyer Sunk by B-25 bombers when carrying reinforcements to Biak. U-980 11 June 1944 German submarine Sunk by a Catalina of 162 Sqn, RCAF, off the Shetlands. South Dakota US battleship 19 June 1944 Hit by aircraft bomb in the battle of the Marianas. 27 death, but remained fully operational. Taiho Japanese carrier Shokaku 19 June 1944 Japanese carrier Sunk in the battle of the Marianas, torpedoed by the US submarines Albacore and Cavalla. Zuikaku Japanese carrier Chiyoda Japanese light carrier Haruna Japanese battleship Hiyo 20 June 1944 Japanese light carrier Hiyo was sunk and the other damages by US aircraft in the battle of the Marianas. U-347 17 July 1944 German submarine Sunk by a Catalina La Galissoniere French cruiser Strasbourg August 1944 French battleship Sunk by self-destruction of the French fleet in Toulon in 1942; refloated by the Germans; sunk by B-25 bombers during the siege of Toulon, 20-28 August 1944. Tirpitz 22 August 1944 German battleship Damaged by carrier air strike at Altenfjord. Tirpitz 15 September 1944 German battleship Damaged by Lancaster bombers using 'Tallboy' bombs, at Altenfjord. Musashi Japanese battleship Myoko 24 October 1944 Japanese cruiser One of the 'super battleships', Musashi was sunk by air attack in the battle of the Sibuyan Sea, part of the battle of Leyte. Myoko was damaged. Princeton 24 October 1944 US carrier Sunk after being damaged by aircraft bombs during the battle of the Leyte Gulf Suyuza 25 October 1944 Japanese cruiser Sunk by US aircraft during the battle of Leyte. Gambier Bay 25 October 1944 US escort carrier Sunk by Japanese gunfire in the battle of Samar Street, part of the battle of Leyte. St. Lo 25 October 1944 US escort carrier Kitkun Bay US escort carrier White Plains US escort carrier Kalinin Bay 25 October 1944 US escort carrier St Lo was sunk after hit by a Japanese Suicide attack aircraft, in the Battle of Leyte. The other were damaged. Suwannee US escort carrier Santee 26 October 1944 US escort carrier Damaged by suicide attack aircraft. Santee was sunk shortly thereafter by a torpedo from the submarine I-56. Kumano 6 November 1944 Japanese cruiser Finished of by US aircraft after being damaged by a submarine. Kiso 11 November 1944 Japanese cruiser Sunk by US aircraft. Tirpitz 12 November 1944 German battleship Sunk by 'Tallboy' bombs dropped by Lancasters, at Tromso. Shinano 29 November 1944 Japanese Carrier Sunk after being torpedoed by the US submarine Archerfish. Ommaney Bay 4 January 1945 US escort carrier Sunk by kamikaze attack at the Phillipine Islands. Ticonderoga US carrier Langley US carrier Maddox 21 January 1945 US destroyer Damaged by suicide attack aircraft. Bismarck Sea US escort carrier Lunga Point US escort carrier Saratoga 21 February 1945 US carrier Bismarck Sea was sunk by kamikaze attack off Iwo Jima; the two other were damaged. Henry Bacon 23 February 1945 Last ship sunk by the Luftwaffe during WWII. Randolph 11 March 1945 US carrier Damaged by suicide attack aircraft, at Ulithi. Essex US carrier Franklin US carrier Wasp US carrier Enterprise 19/20 March 1945 US carrier Damaged by Kamikazes while attacking the South of Japan Haruna 19 March 1945 Japanese Battleship Sunk by US carrier aircraft. Trigger I 28 March 1945 US Submarine, SS-237 Sunk by Japanese air attack in East China Sea. Scheer April 1945 German pocket battleship Damaged by bombs in Kiel, capsized. Abandoned. Lutzow German pocket battleship Damaged by bombs in Swinemunde. West Virginia US battleship Idefatigable British carrier 1 April 1945 Damaged by Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka suicide attack aircraft, off Okinawa. Yamato Japanese battleship Yahigi Japanese cruiser Asasjimo Japanese destroyer Kamakaze Japanese destroyer Isokaze Japanese destroyer Kasumi 7 April 1945 Japanese destroyer The 'super battleship' Yamato, the cruiser Yahagi and eight destroyers were on their way for a suicide attack on US forces at Okinawa. Their were sunk by air attack before they arrived. Mannert L Abele US destroyer 12 April 1945 First ship sunk by the Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka suicide attack aircraft. Koln 30 April 1945 German Light Cruiser Sunk by bombers at Wilhelmshaven. U-320 7 May 1945 German submarine Last of the 196 U-boats sunk by RAF Coastal Command during WWII. Enterprise 14 May 1945 US carrier Damaged by Kamikaze aircraft. Nagato 18 July 1945 Japanese battleship Damaged by US aircraft. Hyuga 24 July 1945 Japanese battleship Sunk at Kure by US aircraft. Ise 28 July 1945 Japanese battleship Sunk at Kure by US aircraft. England 5 September 1945 US Escort Destroyer Sunk by Japanese suicide attack aircraft. Ibrahim El Awal 30 October 1956 Egyptian Destroyer Hit by anti-tank missile fired by Israele Dassault Ouragan's. Surrendered to Israeli destroyers. Santa Fe 24 April 1982 Argentine Submarine Forced to the surface by depth charges from the British destroyer Antrim; then attacked by helicopters. Beached. Alfreze Sobral Argentine Patrol Vessel Comodorp Somerella Argentine Patrol Vessel 2 May 1982 The first was damaged and the second sunk by British Lynx helicopters, in the Falkland War. (On this day, the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano was sunk by the British Submarine Conqueror.) Sheffield 4 May 1982 British destroyer Hit by Exocet missile, fired by Argentine Super Etendard. Damaged, 21 dead, and later abandoned and sunk. Naval 9 May 1982 Argentine ? Attacked by British Sea Harriers. Surrendered. Glasgow 12 May 1982 British destroyer Damaged by a bomb, dropped by an Argentine A-4, that went through the ship without exploding. Returned to port for repairs. Argonaut British ? Ardent 21 May 1982 British frigate Argonaut was damaged and Ardent lost after Argentine air attack. HMS Antrim was also hit, but the bomb did not explode. Antelope 21 May 1982 British frigate Exploded and sunk after Argentine air attack. The Antelope had had been hit by unexploded bombs; attempts to remove these detonated them. Atlantic Conveyor British transport Broadsword British ? Coventry 25 May 1982 British destroyer Coventry was set on fire and sunk by Argentine Skyhawks. Atlantic Conveyor was abandoned after a Exocet hit. Broadsword was damaged. Sir Galahad British Landing Vessel Sir Tristan 8 June 1982 British Landing Vessel Galahad destroyed and Tristan seriously damaged by Arngentine air attack. Snapper The British submarine HMS Snapper was hit, in december 1939, by error by a British 45kg bomb. It shattered four light bulbs. Thereafter heavier bombs were introduced. Specifications, British E28/39 Gloster E28/39 F9/40 Gloster Meteor F37/34 Supermarine Spitfire E6/41 De Havilland DH 100 Vampire Spitfire vs. Hurricane during the Battle of Britain From "Spitfire Special" by Ted Hooton: Spitfire Hurricane Time ------------------------------------------------------------------ Average Strength 295 461 11th Group 137 243 Average Strength 38% 62% July 1 -- September 30 German shot down 43% 57% July 1 -- September 30 Bf 109 shot down 49% (of all lost) July -- August Bf 109 shot down 54% (of all lost) September Combat losses 39% 61% Accident rate 7% 7% ------------------------------------------------------------------ Spitfire vs. Bf 109 : 219 to 180 lost. Hurricane vs. Bf 109 : 272 to 153 lost. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Submarines During WWII, aircraft sank 289 German, 11 Italian and 12 Japanese submarines. (Germany deployed 842 operational U-boats, so that accounts for 34% -- total losses were 93%.) Swallow Design of dr. Barnes Wallis (known for the Wellesley and Wellington bombers, the 'dambuster' bomb and the Tallboy and Grand Slam bombs) for a supersonic airliner. The Swallow design had a sleek fuselage, variable sweep wings, a cockpit that could be raised for take-off and landing, and four jet negines on rotating pylons towards the wing tips, to control the center of gravity. It was found out during wind-tunnel tests that the wingtip pods would not work. --T-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Troika Schlepp Method to tow the Me 321 glider behind three Bf 110 fighters. It was decidedly dangerous. --U-------------------------------------------------------------------------- U-boat offensive in WWII Allied Merchant ship losses in 1939: by U-boats 114 421.156 tons by mines 79 262.697 tons Allied Merchant ship losses in 1940: by U-boats 2.186.158 tons by aircraft 192 580.000 tons by mines 210 510.000 tons by raiders 54 367.000 tons by warships 17 97.000 tons by S-boats 23 48.000 tons ----------------------------------------------- TOTAL 1059 3.991.641 tons Allied Merchant ship losses up to December 1940: by U-boats 2.606.000 tons by mines 772.000 tons by aircraft 583.000 tons by surface ships 514.000 tons by E-boats 48.000 tons Allied Merchant ship losses in 1941: by U-boats 432 2.171.754 tons by aircraft 371 1.017.422 tons by surface ships 84 428.350 tons by mines 111 230.842 tons ----------------------------------------------- TOTAL 1299 4.328.558 tons Allied Merchant ship losses in 1942: by U-boats 6.226.215 tons ----------------------------------------------- TOTAL 1664 7.790.697 tons or, other source: 8.333.258 Number of operational U-boats September 1939 46 January 1942 91 October 1942 196 December 1942 212 April 1943 240 Losses of U-boats 1940 22 1942 87 April 1943 15 | + 13 May 1943 40 | June 1943 17 July 1943 37 Monthly losses of ships July 1940 38 195,800 (Atlantic only) August 1940 56 267,600 (Atlantic only) September 1940 59 295,300 (Atlantic only) October 1940 63 352,400 (Atlantic only) November 1940 32 146,600 (Atlantic only) December 1940 37 212,500 (Atlantic only) January 1941 21 126,700 (Atlantic only) February 1941 39 196,700 (Atlantic only) March 1941 41 243,000 (Atlantic only) April 1941 43 249,375 (Atlantic only) May 1941 58 325,400 (Atlantic only) June 1941 61 310,000 (Atlantic only) July 1941 22 94,200 (Atlantic only) August 1941 23 80,300 (Atlantic only) September 1941 53 202,800 (Atlantic only) October 1941 32 156,500 (Atlantic only) November 1941 13 62,100 (Atlantic only) December 1941 26 124,000 (Atlantic only) June 1942 114 856,041 tons July 1942 69 695,562 June 1943 157,000 July 1943 389,000 --V-------------------------------------------------------------------------- V-1 Vergeltungswaffe 1, 'revenge weapon one'. Also know as Fi 103 or FZG 76.The V-1 pulse-jet powered flying bomb and the V-2 ballistic missile. Over 29000 V-1s were built. About 8000 were fired at London, of which 2419 hit. An additional 2448 fell on Antwerp. Violations of Swedish Airspace As published in 'FlygvapenNytt': 1970 12 1976 21 1982 28 1971 19 1977 28 1972 23 1978 25 1973 19 1979 77 1974 15 1980 50 1975 20 1981 49 Vought V-173 Aerodynamic prototype of the (never flown) F7U fighter. The V-173 was a 'pancake'-shaped flying-wing design. --W-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Westland Lysander A prototype was built of a version of the WWII Lysander STOL aircraft with a four-gun tail turret. The Lysander was a small aircraft and fitting the turret required extensive modifcations; to carry the weight the tailplane was extended, making it almost a tandem-wing aircraft. Another Lysander was fitted with a forward-swept wing. --X-------------------------------------------------------------------------- X211 See J87. --Y-------------------------------------------------------------------------- --Z-------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------