G_AHRENDT@VAXA.CC.UWA.OZ.AU (Gunter Ahrendt) (08/07/90)
From: G_AHRENDT@VAXA.CC.UWA.OZ.AU (Gunter Ahrendt) The original prototype Spitfire had a massive 2 blade propeller. By 1939 Constant-Speed 3 blade propellers were becoming available for the Mark 1 The Mark 6 was the first to use 4 blade propellers. The Mark 14 was the first to use 5 blade propellers. The Mark 21 Griffon 85 was the first to use 6 blade propellers. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The USAF F-13 designation was used by Boeing for it's B-29 Superfortress Strategic Reconnaissance Version with large camera installations and long-range tanks. This version was known as F-13A. 117 were manufactured.
fiddler@concertina.Eng.Sun.COM (Steve Hix) (08/10/90)
From: fiddler@concertina.Eng.Sun.COM (Steve Hix) > From: G_AHRENDT@VAXA.CC.UWA.OZ.AU (Gunter Ahrendt) > > The USAF F-13 designation was used by Boeing for it's B-29 Superfortress > Strategic Reconnaissance Version with large camera installations and > long-range tanks. This version was known as F-13A. 117 were manufactured. Here we have some confusion brought about by changing nomenclature rules. Pre-1947 or so, P = pursuit, B = bomber, F = recon, C = transport (cargo), T = trainer, ... After that, the rules changed: B = bomber, F = fighter, R = recon, C = transport, T = trainer, ... You get reminded about things like that when you read something like a description of flying an F5 over the Normandy beaches during D-Day... The book wasn't a science fiction alternate history story...in this case, the F5 was, I think, the recon version of the P-38. ------------ The only drawback with morning is that it comes at such an inconvenient time of day. ------------