Mark Twain Bombsight: Doolittle Raiders success 81 years ago. #aviation #wwii #pearlharbor #b25

[calsurflance]

Jimmy Doolittle’s son, retired Col.John Doolittle was a friend of mine. He came to my Air Force retirement ceremony.
Jimmy Doolittle is best know for this mission, however this is only a fraction of his accomplishments in aviation.
Instrument flying was his inception, high octane fuel development when he was racing and VP at Shell oil, and his master’s thesis (MIT) is still to this day the basis for structural analysis in aircraft design. He also received a PHD in aeronautical engineering from MIT.
He and Howard Hughes were acquaintances and collectively contributed so much of what we now take for granted in aviation.

[randolphstead]

No matter how many times I see it, that footage of the bombers lifting off of Hornet still amazes. Some of them were airborne before reaching the end of the deck. Very well trained men!

[mr.hermitsquid]

Hi! I am a volunteer working at the National Museum of ww2 avation in Colorado Springs. Do you have any more information about the specifics of the bombsight? I have made a replica based on documents and pictures that I have found, but there are several different designs and specifications that I have found. Also, the mounting onto the norden base. How exactly did that work? I honestly have minimal knowledge on how the norden works, but the more information the better. Finally, do you have the tables for a 500lb bomb? I need to know the angle at different speeds and altitudes. We plan to make an exhibit and eventually a simulation using this bombsight. I would appreciate any information that you have. Thank you!