WIX Archives
Whitley exception...
Posted by Elliott on Tue Dec 17, 2002 11:34:18 AM
In reply top Bomber Command query posted by Tony C on Tue Dec 17, 2002 11:09:30 AM
Hi Tony
The Whitley was in fact specifically designed for night operations - priority was given to range and bombload over speed which was not a serious issue at the time since its design predated AI radar and the threat of sophisticated nightfighter opposition.
Good question though!
: I have just been asked a question by my son which I can't
: answer. I'm probably missing something but can anyone prov
: ide an answer to this question.
:
: In the '30s, RAF Bomber Command felt that with the aircraf
: t under its control and in those at the planning stage, co
: uld attack any future enemy in daylight and be able to pro
: tect itself, without the need for fighter protection.
:
: Why then (I am not too sure of these dates) did the RAF in
: 1937/38, decide that their aircraft would carry black und
: ersides. This was before operations proved the folly of da
: ylight raids and led to the switch to night ops.
:
: Hardly an ideal camoflauge scheme for daylight operations
: so I would be interested to hear your suggestions/reasons
: .
:
: Tony