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Author Topic: Search lights on aircraft.  (Read 7709 times)

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Gatrasz

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Re: Search lights on aircraft.
« Reply #24 on: November 13, 2018, 08:39:23 AM »

there could be one or two aircraft equipped with searchlights for the experiment. Unlikely they were used on regular basis.
MPVO = PVO (Anti-air defence) of Moscow.
That's more or less what I supposed  ;)

Hi Gatrasz,
forgive my previous laconic post, I found some info about Bf-110D-3.
That's okay  :) Both systems would be very interesting to test in game ; it happens that many countries tried to attach light projectors to planes for nightfighting purpose. But they must have discovered that carrying a big light in the dark wasn't the best idea to preserve night vision and to avoid becoming a target for gunners...
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Piotrek1

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Re: Search lights on aircraft.
« Reply #25 on: November 13, 2018, 10:35:08 AM »

I agree, but in my opinion this system was probably more suitable for maritime operations because of the lower air traffic and the lower possibility of detecting an illuminating aircraft.
In particular, aircraft such as Wellington operating in water areas have been very successful.

and by the way, from other interesting weapons we still have a flame thrower :) ;D:


This plane was fitted with a rear facing Infantry Flamethrower in the fuselage.
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=33151
Edit:
more info



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Spider16

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Re: Search lights on aircraft.
« Reply #26 on: November 13, 2018, 04:00:44 PM »

Two types of Leigh Light entered operational use:[6]

i) The Turret type, fitted on Wellington aircraft, was a 24-inch searchlight mounted in a retractable under-turret controlled by hydraulic motor and ram. The maximum beam intensity was 50 million candles without the spreading lens and about 20 million candelas with the lens. Total weight was 1,100 lbs.

ii) The Nacelle type, fitted on Catalinas and Liberators, was a 20-inch searchlight mounted in a nacelle 32 inches in diameter slung from the bomb lugs on the wing. The controls were electric and the maximum beam intensity was 90 million candelas without the spreading lens and about 17 million with the lens. Total weight was 870 lbs.

By June 1942, aircraft equipped with ASV radar and the Leigh Light were operating over the Bay of Biscay intercepting U-boats moving to and from their home ports on the coast of France. The first submarine to be successfully sighted was the Italian submarine Torelli, on the night of 3 June 1942,[7] and the first confirmed kill was the German submarine U-502, sunk on 5 July 1942 by a Vickers Wellington of 172 Squadron, piloted by American, Wiley B. Howell. In the five months prior not one submarine had been sunk, and six aircraft had been lost. The Leigh Light turned the tables, and by August the U-boats preferred to take their chances in daytime when they at least had some warning and could fight back.

Fairey Swordfish biplane torpedo bombers were trialled with a Leigh Light under the lower port wing. A large battery pack for it was slung under the fuselage where the torpedo would normally be carried. The armament was a rack of anti-submarine bombs carried under the other wing. With such a heavy load performance was poor with a top speed marginally above the stall speed.[8]

Wing Commander Peter Cundy was also given the Air Force Cross for his part in the development of the Leigh Light.


Source Wikipedia


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Piotrek1

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Re: Search lights on aircraft.
« Reply #27 on: November 14, 2018, 05:22:11 AM »

Great info 8) Spider16, Thank you for sharing with us.
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