On 5 Oct 2005 12:18:58 -0700, wrote:

I'm aware that B-17s attacked Japanese Shipping during WW2
(battle of Midway comes to mind), but that they were way too
high and didn't hit anything.

Targets moving at 25+ kts. are difficult to hit.

Speaking hypothetically, would it have radically improved anthing
if the B-17 attacked from a much lower altitude?

Yes.

I'm thinking that the B-17 was a pretty tough plane, as proven
over bombing raids in Europe. And wonder if it could
survive the AA and CAP that the Japanese put up that so easily
downed the Vindicators? Speed and multiple engines come to
mind.

So do 8th AF losses over Europe to flak and fighters.

Of course if the ships are inadequately protected or you can overwhelm
the defenses then you might be able to reprise the fate of HMS PRINCE
OF WALES and REPULSE.

Still, would bombing accuracy have improved to a point that
hitting a Japanses CV would have been possible.

Yes, if you were willing to take the casualties.

I have this (crazy?) picture of a B-17 lining up with a Japanese
carrier (lengthwise) and dropping a stick of bombs on it. Wonder
what the spread would be at different speeds and the intervals
between bombs. Thanks, to the SBDs, this was not needed, but
just curious.

In horizontal bombing of a moving target you aim your bombs where the
target will be, not where it is. (Query: could the Norden bombsight
factor in target speed, or was it designed to only engage stationary
targets?) The captain of the target is watching the bomber and can
see the release. The ship is also manuevering to deny the bombadier
that nice target line that you desire!

Terminal velocity of the bomb is about 800 ft./sec. (per
naca.larc.nasa.gov/digidoc/report/tr/79/NACA-TR-79.PDF ). So for
every 5000 feet of altitude the bomb has to travel the ship's captain
has about 6.25 sec. to get out of the way. Actually, he has a bit
more because the bomb has to fall some distance to achieve terminal
velocity. Then there's aircraft drift, wind, sea state, etc. to
consider. Not a simple problem, eh? :-)

Come to think of it, the Carriers would and did perform evasive
movements, so skip that requirement that the B-17 would
line up with the keel of the carriers.

Ayup. :-)

Here's something to test you math skills:

http://www.saltspring.com/brochmann/...Ball-1.00.html

Bill Kambic

Who was pretty good glide bombing in a Stoof using "Kentucky Windage"!