[ILUG] [way OT] Word 2003 problems...

[Paul Jakma]

On Wed, 13 Jul 2005, Niall O Broin wrote:

> According to Wikipedia, yes, though we all know now that that is a 
> very unreliable source. But when you think about it, it makes 
> sense.

See my reply to Ander's, Wikipedia is right and wrong. The Japanese 
apparently did design a cheap kamikaze plane, and build it in small 
quantities - but it never saw operational use.

So, in operational terms, that's apparently a myth.

The japs also had a rocket powered kamikaze (shinsen or something) 
which was launched from under a 'Betty' bomber, but the only time 
they were used all of the bombers were shot down before they could 
release their kamikaze rocket planes. Unfortunately, the rocket 
planes had a range of 10 miles or so, which meant the slow bombers 
carrying them had to get /really/ close and the americans had plenty 
of time to deal with them.

> basically propping the fuselage on a trolley, more or less, made 
> sense in a number of ways.

Makes sense, the Japs tried it - never saw operational use. Don't 
believe everything you read (including anything written by me ;) ).

> Damn but that was an expensive defense mechanism - they used up an aircraft 
> at every launch?

Unless close to land, Yep. So in the atlantic, pilot almost certainly 
would have to ditch. In the mediterrean there might have been 
friendly air fields nearby.

But not every convoy got attacked by Condors. Later in the war the 
allies had far more in the way of escort capability (particularly 
once the americans joined..).

regards,
-- 
Paul Jakma	paul at clubi.ie	paul at jakma.org	Key ID: 64A2FF6A
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