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How did World War 2 planes shoot through the propeller?
A synchronization gear (also known as a gun synchronizer or interrupter gear) was a device enabling a single-engine tractor configuration aircraft to fire its forward-firing armament through the arc of its spinning propeller without bullets striking the blades.
What was added to airplanes during ww2?
Technological advances in aviation during the war included improvements to long-range bombers, experimentation with jet-powered aircraft, and the use of radar to find enemy targets and detect enemy planes. Planes became faster, and fuel consumption also improved during the war.
What are plane propellers made of?
Most propeller blades are made from a fatigue resistant aluminum alloy; however, many large propellers (greater than 1,500 shp) are being made from structural composite material (Kevlar or graphite). Composite blades are costly to manufacture, but extremely lightweight.
How does an aircraft propeller work?
The propeller works by displacing the air pulling it behind itself (the action), this movement of air then results in the aircraft being pushed forward from the resulting pressure difference (the opposite reaction). The more air that is pulled behind the propeller the more thrust or forward propulsion is generated.
How does an airplane propeller work?
Why did WWII planes have different propellers?
The propellers of WWII planes were significantly more advanced than those of previous generations. Variable-pitch propellers, developed in the late 1930s, increased the efficiency of the propeller blades at different speeds. The number of blades had also been increased since WWI, adding to a plane’s power.
What happened to aviation during World War II?
During World War II, military investment drove growth in the aviation industry like never before. In just a few years, aircraft manufacturers were building aircraft at a remarkable rate to meet the demands of war. Today, we’re taking a closer look at some eye-opening facts and figures about aviation during World War II.
What kind of planes were used in WW2?
The Museum’s collection of 30 World War II-era American military aircraft ranges from propeller-driven trainers, fighters, flying boats, and bombers to the nation’s first generation of jet-powered fighters to take to the air.
What was the fastest aircraft in World War II?
The fastest aircraft to see any combat in WWII was the German Messerschmitt Me 163. The rocket-powered fighter set an airspeed record of 702 mph in 1944, although this record was not recognized by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale due to its secrecy during the war.