[303rd-Talk] More Questions for Bill Runnels

[bill runnels]

Bob,
   
  I will attempt to answer your questions in the same order you presented them:
   
  1. The bombsight was a better drift meter than the one used by the navigator so I used my own readings. The optics were much better in the bombsight. However, our navigator and I used to double check drift readings all the way to and back from the target.  More often than not, they were the same or very close. Drift was an important factor for the reason you stated.
   
  2. We did use tables setting forth ballistic information on each type of bomb. This information and true airspeed helped determine time of fall from release to impact. All calculations were done and input made in the air just prior to reaching  the IP( initial point of bomb run).
   
  3. When I was there in 1945, train bombing was no longer used. Instead we dropped in squadron formation which created a more compact footprint on the target area.  The intervalometer was used so the release could be by electrical impulse which began at the bombsight. The calibration could be set from 7 to 750 feet bomb separation on the ground. The usual setting was 7 feet.
   
  4. The intervalometer settings were given to us at time of briefing. 
   
  Hope this answers your questions.......................Bill

Bob Van Pelt <bvp6565 at yahoo.com> wrote: