Air Force·Technology obsolescence·In Memoriam
Bombardier
Served: WWII–1949
Took control of the aircraft on the bomb run via the Norden bombsight and released ordnance.
The Story
The Bombardier "took control" of a B-17 on the bomb run via the Norden — the pilot literally surrendered the airplane to a junior officer with a telescope and a slide rule. The Norden was so classified that bombardiers swore an oath to destroy it before capture.
Epitaph
“Drove the airplane with a telescope. Killed by the integrated circuit.”
Sources
- Wikipedia — Bombardier (aircrew)en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia — USAF Aeronautical Ratingsen.wikipedia.org