The Google-friendly History Question Thread.

[klr]

Tony but I don't know why ?

"Tony" wasn't the original name, although "Tony" it is derived from it (massive hint).

[Don't Panic]

Antonio, the Americans initially thought the plane was a licensed copy of a German or Italian design as it was different to other Japanese planes of the time.

It does look a lot like the bf-109.

[klr]

Antonio, the Americans initially thought the plane was a licensed copy of a German or Italian design as it was different to other Japanese planes of the time.

It does look a lot like the bf-109.

http://www.faqs.org/docs/air/avhien.html

...
The Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien ("Swallow") fighter represented a major departure for Japanese aircraft design in World War II. While other Japanese fighters were designed with air-cooled radials and were optimized for maneuverability, the Ki-61 used a liquid-cooled in-line engine and was designed for speed and power.

In fact, the Ki-61 was so different from other Japanese fighters that when the type was first encountered in combat over New Guinea in June 1943, the Allies thought it wasn't a Japanese design at all. At first they believed it was a copy of the German Messerschmitt Me-109, then suspected it was a copy of the Italian Macchi C.202 Foglore or similar Italian fighter. For this reason they gave it the code-name "Antonio", or "Tony", though by the summer of 1943 the Allies had realized the Ki-61 was in fact a Japanese design.

So it was an original design, but it did use the same Daimler-Benz engine series as was used on the Bf 109 and on later Italian fighters such as the Foglore.

I'm back to work, but will check regularly for the next question ...

[klr]

No sign of the Paranoid Android, so:

Which aircraft designer was so successful that some US carriers put to sea carrying aircraft that were almost all designed by him?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

No sign of the Paranoid Android, so:

Which aircraft designer was so successful that some US carriers put to sea carrying aircraft that were almost all designed by him?

Grumann?

[klr]

No sign of the Paranoid Android, so:

Which aircraft designer was so successful that some US carriers put to sea carrying aircraft that were almost all designed by him?

Grumann?

Noooo ... and remember, we are talking not just about one company here, but one chief designer (not that Lockheed guy, obviously ).

[Gawdzilla Sama]

No sign of the Paranoid Android, so:

Which aircraft designer was so successful that some US carriers put to sea carrying aircraft that were almost all designed by him?

Grumann?

Noooo ... and remember, we are talking not just about one company here, but one chief designer (not that Lockheed guy, obviously ).

Ach! Pre-coffee again. Kelly somebody or other. (Note to self: Engage brain before starting computer.)

Edit: Kelly Johnson?

[klr]

No sign of the Paranoid Android, so:

Which aircraft designer was so successful that some US carriers put to sea carrying aircraft that were almost all designed by him?

Grumann?

Noooo ... and remember, we are talking not just about one company here, but one chief designer (not that Lockheed guy, obviously ).

Ach! Pre-coffee again. Kelly somebody or other. (Note to self: Engage brain before starting computer.)

Edit: Kelly Johnson?

Nope, not 'Kelly' Johnson of Lockheed.

I thought you would get it easily, being a Naval type.

Anyway I have to head off to another meeting (just come from one). I might put you out of your misery then.

[Geoff]

The Douglas Guy? Hanneman?

[klr]

The Douglas Guy? Hanneman?

Ed Heinemann it is.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_H._Heinemann

Some US carriers that embarked in the 1950's had air groups that were drawn almost completely from his designs, apart from some odz'n'sodz like rescue or COD (carrier onboard delivery) aircraft.

Your call, my good man.

[Geoff]

Approximately how many people were killed by cherry stones in WW2?

[klr]

Approximately how many people were killed by cherry stones in WW2?

I detect a whiff of "lateral thinking may be required" on this one. :hum:

I need a lunch break ...

[klr]

Cherry Stone: WW2 German code word for the V-1 rockets

http://www.militaryimages.net/forces_di ... p?parsed=C

V-1 death toll: 22,892*

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V-1_flying_bomb

*This is given as 'casualties', but I think it's a death toll. Whether it covers just England, or all regions targetted by the Fieseler Fi 103*, I do not know.

*You knew that was the real name of the V-1, didn't you?

[Geoff]

Cherry Stone: WW2 German code word for the V-1 rockets

http://www.militaryimages.net/forces_di ... p?parsed=C

V-1 death toll: 22,892*

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V-1_flying_bomb

*This is given as 'casualties', but I think it's a death toll. Whether it covers just England, or all regions targetted by the Fieseler Fi 103*, I do not know.

*You knew that was the real name of the V-1, didn't you?

That was fast; well done!

[klr]

What famous historical figure was nick-named "littleboots"?