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Bouncing Bomb Tests

From December and into early January 1943 testing was carried out using metal spheres dropped from a Wellington Bomber at Chesil in Dorset. However they were being badly damaged when they hit the water rather than bouncing across the surface.

With these problems in mind Vickers produced this plan for a wooden version to be used for testing. The first successful release on Saturday 23 January resulted in the wooden test sphere bouncing 13 times.

Spherical bouncing bomb diagram
MAC55392

Breaching The German Dams - Flying into HistoryTo commemorate the 65th anniversary of the "Dambusters" Raid the Royal Air Force Museum in conjunction with the Newsdesk Media Group has produced a new book "Breaching The German Dams - Flying into History" which uncovers elements of hidden history crucial to the success of 617 Squadron's attack on the German Dams in May 1943. To order your copy go to the Museum Shop.
RAF Museum Shop