Quote:
Originally Posted by LesBaker
In theory on a crystal clear day you would be able to see a column of dense smoke 100m high at a distance of 35.7Km.
However due to Dust, water vapour, atmospheric distortion and pollution in the atmosphere, you will very rarely be able to see the smoke more than 20 kilometres away even on a perfectly clear day,
on a day less than perfect this distance will be greatly reduced, for instance on a hazy day you would probably not see the smoke any more than about 10Km.  |
Quote:
Originally Posted by LesBaker
The Spitfire pilot would need exceedingly good eyesight to spot an object the size of a Mk VII at 385 Km as it would have an apparent height of only 0.025974025974026 m and a length of 0.174025974025974 m,
working on the theory that a Spitfire pilot would be able to detect an object with an apparent size of 2 metres in length (highly unlikely) then he would be able to spot the Mk VII at a distance of 33.5Km.
Conversely the Mk VII crew with the same capabilities as the pilot would be able to see the Spitfire with a wingspan of 11.23m at a distance of 5.615 Km.
At a distance of 20 Km a Mk VII would have an apparent height of 0.24m and a length of only 3.05m.
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You started the discussion on the distance from the horizon as the main factor limiting the view of stacks' smoke. I used your argument to demonstrate that land's curvature couldn't be the limiting factor, and you seem to agree now.
Dunno about aircraft spotting, but talking about smoke imo a visual range of 20 km is a good compromise. In ideal conditions, indeed, but I don't think our watch crew can see that far at night and during stormy / hazy weather