David Thought you might like to see this pic, taken on a bombing run over Essen. It shows my late brother Jack in his position as rear-gunner and was given to me by his co-crew member the late Ted Hull. I tell the story of meeting up with Ted here: BBC - WW2 People's War - Sgt.Jack Goldstein, RAF Bomber Command Cheers Ron
Window, which the Americans referred to as chaff was a secret passed to them after scientists in the British TRE had developed it to combat the German radar defences.It was the prime reason why the large raid on Hamburg on the night of 24/25 July 1943 was successful. It reduced RAF losses on the night to 1.5%.The Lufwaffe air defence system involving ground and air radar was severely disabled during this raid and was the first time that Window was used by the RAF. On the subject of window radar-blocking metallic strips, in mid-1942 this propaganda leaflet was printed on tin foil: The hope was that disguising the foil as propaganda leaflets would help keep "window" a secret from the Germans. Following tests the metallic leaflets were found to successfully block radar and several thousand were printed as a result. But the deception wasn't considered a good one and it's not known if the leaflets were ever dropped on Germany. Surviving examples are very rare and the condition is generally poor as the ink did not adhere well to the metallic side of the leaflet.
There is certainly something about the Lancaster; one flew over my house in Kent a couple of months ago; quite something. There is something about a Lancaster.... ....I am fortunate that over the years I have had the opportunity to get quite close up and almost personal with the few surviving Lancs in the UK. My late father was a rear gunner on Lancs from '43 - '45 which accounts for part of my fondness for them I suppose. Without a doubt a superb aircraft the sight and sound of which will always send a shiver through my body! Awesome. Thanks for the pics guys... ...I will post some of mine in due course. Steve/460sqdn
Lancs were able to overtake B-17s on one engine...whch led to some practical joking in the skies over Bedfordshire!
Cheers David. I found it on here Pictured: Lancaster bomber in dramatic flypast to mark 65th anniversary of Dambusters Can but them here....Not cheap though Limited Edition Military Art, Military Aviation Art, Naval Art from mark Littlejohn, Robert Taylor, Simon Atack and Nicholas Trudgian There's some really great art on there