Bombing examination paper
Title
Bombing examination paper
Description
Two images showing a five-question, written examination paper in bombing knowledge. The time allowed, marks available and some written instructions are included.
Creator
Date
1943-12-13
Temporal Coverage
Coverage
Language
Type
Format
Two-page typewritten document
Publisher
Rights
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Contributor
Identifier
MRoyallGL1801494-220420-07
Transcription
[underlined] CENTRAL EXAMINATION BOARD. [/underlined]
NOS. OF AIR SCHOOLS. [a] 41 [b] 42 [c] 43
RESPECTIVE NO. OF COURSES [a] 21 [b] 21 [c] 6
STATUS OF PUPILS AIR BOMBERS
EXAMINATION IN BOMBING
TIME ALLOWED 2 HOURS DATE OF EXAMINATION 13/12/43
TOTAL NO. OF QUESTIONS 5. TOTAL MARKS 200.
MARKS ALLOTTED ARE SHOWN IN BRACKETS AFTER EACH QUESTION.
ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS.
(a) Answers should be brief, to the point, written in ink, and illustrated where possible with neat sketches in pencil.
(b) Tabulate where possible.
(c) All work on Form 3073 to be done in pencil, calculations and answers being shown in the answer book.
[underlined] Question (1) [/underlined]
On his first bombing exercise, a cadet overlooked the levelling of his bombsight whilst the aircraft was flown nose heavy and left wing low on each of the first four headings of 240ᵒ, 325ᵒ, 060ᵒ, and 145ᵒ respectively. If the angles of tilt from the horizontal were 1ᵒ and 1 1/2ᵒ respectively, plot T2 and the bombs given:- V.E. 180/7 1/2 m.p.h. and true height above target 6000 feet.
For the purpose of plotting assume track and heading are the same and work on a G/S of 180 m.p.h.
(45 marks)
[inserted] 35 [/inserted]
[underlined] Question (2) [/underlined]
An aircraft is flying on a bombing exercise in still air. Explain what could happen, and sketch plan view, the approximate trajectories if:-
(a) a stick of four bombs were released whilst the aircraft was skidding as a result of the pilot attempting to do a flat turn,
(b) a similar stick were released with the aircraft making a correctly banked turn away from the target in an effort to ‘throw’ the bombs on to it.
(40 marks)
[inserted] 30 [/inserted]
[underlined] Question (3) [/underlined]
(a) Tabulate the procedure for finding W.S. and D. by the [missing word] method.
(b) What are the advantages of this method?
(c) Tabulate the instructions for bombing with the Mark IX A bombsight at heights below 3000 feet.
(40 marks)
[inserted] 30 [/inserted]
[underlined] Question (4) [/underlined]
You are returning from an operational sortie in an aircraft damaged by flak, which the pilot is forced to ‘ditch’ some miles from the English coast.
What are the [missing letter]ontents of the S.O.S. message which is sent before ditching?
To whom is it transmitted?
Illustrate and explain through what channels of the Air Sea Rescue Organisation your message passes, giving the various vessels or craft from which you can expect assistance or rescue.
(35 marks)
[inserted] 15 [/inserted]
[page break]
[underlined] Question (5) [/underlined]
Re-arrange and write the following in their correct order.
[underlined] [a] Target. [b] Bomb. [c] Fuzing. [/underlined]
[a] Dispersed aircraft [b] 800 lb. S.A.P. [c] N. Inst. [symbol]
[a] Transformers [b] 20 lb. F. [c] Diaphragm operated. [symbol]
[a] Trains [b] 40 lb. G.P. [c] T.D. O.12 secs.[symbol]
[a] Food Dumps [b] 4000 lb. G.P. [c] T. Inst.
[a] Concentrations of oil on water [b] 4000 lb. G.P. [c] T.D 3 secs.
[a] Floating docks (afloat) [b] 1000 lb. G.P. [c] T.D. 0.025 secs. [symbol]
[a] Steel works (L.L. attack) [b] 500 lb. M.C. [c] Special. [symbol]
[a] Built-up areas. [b] Bomb, igniting, oil, No. 45 [c] N. Inst. [symbol]
Discuss briefly the purpose for which the H.C. bomb has been designed.
Contrast the casing and explosive content of the 4000lb. H.C. bomb with that of the 4000 lb. G.P. bomb. You are not expected to give precise details.
Give two targets with the appropriate fuzings for each of those 4000lb. bombs.
(40 marks)
[inserted] 20 [/inserted]
NOS. OF AIR SCHOOLS. [a] 41 [b] 42 [c] 43
RESPECTIVE NO. OF COURSES [a] 21 [b] 21 [c] 6
STATUS OF PUPILS AIR BOMBERS
EXAMINATION IN BOMBING
TIME ALLOWED 2 HOURS DATE OF EXAMINATION 13/12/43
TOTAL NO. OF QUESTIONS 5. TOTAL MARKS 200.
MARKS ALLOTTED ARE SHOWN IN BRACKETS AFTER EACH QUESTION.
ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS.
(a) Answers should be brief, to the point, written in ink, and illustrated where possible with neat sketches in pencil.
(b) Tabulate where possible.
(c) All work on Form 3073 to be done in pencil, calculations and answers being shown in the answer book.
[underlined] Question (1) [/underlined]
On his first bombing exercise, a cadet overlooked the levelling of his bombsight whilst the aircraft was flown nose heavy and left wing low on each of the first four headings of 240ᵒ, 325ᵒ, 060ᵒ, and 145ᵒ respectively. If the angles of tilt from the horizontal were 1ᵒ and 1 1/2ᵒ respectively, plot T2 and the bombs given:- V.E. 180/7 1/2 m.p.h. and true height above target 6000 feet.
For the purpose of plotting assume track and heading are the same and work on a G/S of 180 m.p.h.
(45 marks)
[inserted] 35 [/inserted]
[underlined] Question (2) [/underlined]
An aircraft is flying on a bombing exercise in still air. Explain what could happen, and sketch plan view, the approximate trajectories if:-
(a) a stick of four bombs were released whilst the aircraft was skidding as a result of the pilot attempting to do a flat turn,
(b) a similar stick were released with the aircraft making a correctly banked turn away from the target in an effort to ‘throw’ the bombs on to it.
(40 marks)
[inserted] 30 [/inserted]
[underlined] Question (3) [/underlined]
(a) Tabulate the procedure for finding W.S. and D. by the [missing word] method.
(b) What are the advantages of this method?
(c) Tabulate the instructions for bombing with the Mark IX A bombsight at heights below 3000 feet.
(40 marks)
[inserted] 30 [/inserted]
[underlined] Question (4) [/underlined]
You are returning from an operational sortie in an aircraft damaged by flak, which the pilot is forced to ‘ditch’ some miles from the English coast.
What are the [missing letter]ontents of the S.O.S. message which is sent before ditching?
To whom is it transmitted?
Illustrate and explain through what channels of the Air Sea Rescue Organisation your message passes, giving the various vessels or craft from which you can expect assistance or rescue.
(35 marks)
[inserted] 15 [/inserted]
[page break]
[underlined] Question (5) [/underlined]
Re-arrange and write the following in their correct order.
[underlined] [a] Target. [b] Bomb. [c] Fuzing. [/underlined]
[a] Dispersed aircraft [b] 800 lb. S.A.P. [c] N. Inst. [symbol]
[a] Transformers [b] 20 lb. F. [c] Diaphragm operated. [symbol]
[a] Trains [b] 40 lb. G.P. [c] T.D. O.12 secs.[symbol]
[a] Food Dumps [b] 4000 lb. G.P. [c] T. Inst.
[a] Concentrations of oil on water [b] 4000 lb. G.P. [c] T.D 3 secs.
[a] Floating docks (afloat) [b] 1000 lb. G.P. [c] T.D. 0.025 secs. [symbol]
[a] Steel works (L.L. attack) [b] 500 lb. M.C. [c] Special. [symbol]
[a] Built-up areas. [b] Bomb, igniting, oil, No. 45 [c] N. Inst. [symbol]
Discuss briefly the purpose for which the H.C. bomb has been designed.
Contrast the casing and explosive content of the 4000lb. H.C. bomb with that of the 4000 lb. G.P. bomb. You are not expected to give precise details.
Give two targets with the appropriate fuzings for each of those 4000lb. bombs.
(40 marks)
[inserted] 20 [/inserted]
Collection
Citation
Central Examination Board, “Bombing examination paper,” IBCC Digital Archive, accessed April 13, 2026, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/collections/document/40398.