The most prestigious air to air kill in history?

[Rockstar]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

For my money I don't think you can beat the feat of the WWII fighter pilots who physically tipped the wings/fins of the V-1 rockets...up real close and personal like.

I was thinking the same thing.

[kraznyi_oktjabr]

Originally Posted by Rockstar

I was thinking the same thing.

Me too. I would assume this to be a bit risky tactic. Do anyone know did there happen any mishaps when doing this?

[MH]

Originally Posted by kraznyi_oktjabr

Me too. I would assume this to be a bit risky tactic. Do anyone know did there happen any mishaps when doing this?

As far as i can remember from reading some books it sometimes ended with shattered wing tips of a fighter plane when V1 giro kicked in to stabilize the flight.
The pilot had to flip the wing beyond the correction point.
This tactics was used to avoid shooting on V1 which occasionally exploded in mid air.

[FIREWALL]

Originally Posted by kraznyi_oktjabr

Me too. I would assume this to be a bit risky tactic. Do anyone know did there happen any mishaps when doing this?

If it got to close it might blow the Tail off the B-24 .

I don't think the Tail Gunner or Pilot would be to happy.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Rockstar

I was thinking the same thing.

That picture is the only one I've ever found over the years...does anyone know of any more in existence?

[RickC Sniper]

What was the purpose of doing this dangerous tactic? Did it throw the V1 off course enough to matter? They weren't exactly known for precision targeting in the first place.

[razark]

Originally Posted by RickC Sniper

What was the purpose of doing this dangerous tactic? Did it throw the V1 off course enough to matter? They weren't exactly known for precision targeting in the first place.

The purpose was to tip the V1 enough so that its guidance system would go crazy and it would crash. It can't hurt anyone if it just crashes in the water.

[Tchocky]

Originally Posted by RickC Sniper

What was the purpose of doing this dangerous tactic? Did it throw the V1 off course enough to matter? They weren't exactly known for precision targeting in the first place.

As the boundary layer airflow separates from the wing at the tip, it creates a strong outward/rearward vortex.
The V1 had extremely limited correctional autopilot abilities, so kicking it off it's level roll axis would send it into a terminal spin, crashing short of target. The vortex from the Spit/Jug/Tempest could do this.