History Channel, Big Brit Bombs

[Bill Greenwood]

Today the history channel has the story of Barnes Wallace, British boffin ( scientific nerd) who invented the skip bombs that destroyed two dams in the Ruhr Valley. Then he went on to make the Tall Boy that Lancs dropped on the submarine pens at Brest France, finally the huge Grand Slam 22,000 labs filled with explosive Torpex that knocked down a viaduct and bridge which had resisted conventional bombs. It was the largest bomb ever lifted by an aircraft and the Lancaster had to remove bomb bay doors and guns and other weight in order to fit the bomb underneath. By then Barnes Wallace was regarded as a pretty smart guy. Then came nuclear weapons to really make bombs a new dimension.

[b29flteng]

The USAF scaled the "Grand Slam" bomb up to 43,000lbs. and dropped it out of the B-36. "KABOOM" !!!!!!!

[b29flteng]

There's a book out by Stephen Flower called "Barnes Wallis' Bombs: Tallboy, Dambuster & Grand Slam" that gives all the details about the design and lists all the operations they flew on. Good photos, lists the serial numbers of the aircraft used etc., surviving examples. I found it at "Alibris" on the net.

[lestweforget]

Don't forget he also designed airships and the Vickers Wellington with its geodetic structure (over 11,000 built!) A truly great man.

[Bill Greenwood]

I am lucky and proud to have in my log book the signature of one of the pilots of 617 Squadron who flew the dambusters raid.

[lestweforget]

You are indeed privileged. Which one if you don't mind me asking? I have enormous respect for those crews.

[Canberra Man]

I was a member of 617 Squadron in peace time. I was an electrician/air and worked on Avro Lincolns, same as a Lancaster but 15' bigger wingspan and Merlin 60s. There was a healthy rivalry between us and 9 Squadron. It was never really decided which squadron sank the Tirptz, but at the time I joined 617, a bulkhead door from the Tirpitz resided in 617 officers mess. 9 Squdron would get up a raiding party and pinch the trophy and a few weeks later it was back in 617s mess. Touche! In 1951 we received the Canberra and what a beauty. in 1954, we had the B6, even better. we ended up taking them to Malaya to use against the terrorists. The Canberra was only 57 feet wigspan but could lift 9/1,000 pounders. It didn't take you lads in America to realise how good it was and you built it under licence as the B57.

Ken

[Simcoe Warrior]

Today the history channel has the story of Barnes Wallace, British boffin ( scientific nerd) who invented the skip bombs that destroyed two dams in the Ruhr Valley. Then he went on to make the Tall Boy that Lancs dropped on the submarine pens at Brest France, finally the huge Grand Slam 22,000 labs filled with explosive Torpex that knocked down a viaduct and bridge which had resisted conventional bombs. It was the largest bomb ever lifted by an aircraft and the Lancaster had to remove bomb bay doors and guns and other weight in order to fit the bomb underneath. By then Barnes Wallace was regarded as a pretty smart guy. Then came nuclear weapons to really make bombs a new dimension.

I look forward to the new film about the Dambusters that Peter Jackson is doing, hopefully Wallace will be a significant character.