Stabilizing Automatic Bomb Sight
Encyclopedia
The Stabilized Automatic Bomb Sight (SABS) was a tachometric bombsight
introduced into operational service by the Royal Air Force
(RAF) in 1943 during World War II
. Hand-made throughout its lifetime, the SABS was produced in very small numbers and used only in specialist roles. The majority of Bomber Command
and Coastal Command retained the Mark XIV bomb sight
, which was easier to use and available in large numbers.
SABS was used operationally for the first time by No. 617 "Dambusters" Squadron
on the night of 11/12 November 1943 for their attack on railway viaduct at Anthéor. No hits on the viaduct were recorded during this raid by any of the 10 Avro Lancaster
s dropping 12000 lb (5,443.1 kg) Blockbuster bomb
s.
617 Squadron achieved an accuracy of 94 yd (86 m) at the V Weapon launch site at Abbeville
on 16/17 December 1943.
Bombsight
A bombsight is a device used by bomber aircraft to accurately drop bombs. In order to do this, the bombsight has to estimate the path the bomb will take after release from the aircraft. The two primary forces during its fall are gravity and air drag, which makes the path of the bomb through the air...
introduced into operational service by the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
(RAF) in 1943 during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Hand-made throughout its lifetime, the SABS was produced in very small numbers and used only in specialist roles. The majority of Bomber Command
Bomber Command
Bomber Command is an organizational military unit, generally subordinate to the air force of a country. Many countries have a "Bomber Command", although the most famous ones were in Britain and the United States. A Bomber Command is generally used for Strategic bombing , and is composed of bombers...
and Coastal Command retained the Mark XIV bomb sight
Mark XIV bomb sight
The Mark XIV Computing Bomb Sight is a vector bombsight developed and used by the Royal Air Force's Bomber Command during World War II. The bombsight was also known as the Blackett sight after its primary inventor, P.M.S. Blackett...
, which was easier to use and available in large numbers.
SABS was used operationally for the first time by No. 617 "Dambusters" Squadron
No. 617 Squadron RAF
No. 617 Squadron is a Royal Air Force aircraft squadron based at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland. It currently operates the Tornado GR4 in the ground attack and reconnaissance role...
on the night of 11/12 November 1943 for their attack on railway viaduct at Anthéor. No hits on the viaduct were recorded during this raid by any of the 10 Avro Lancaster
Avro Lancaster
The Avro Lancaster is a British four-engined Second World War heavy bomber made initially by Avro for the Royal Air Force . It first saw active service in 1942, and together with the Handley Page Halifax it was one of the main heavy bombers of the RAF, the RCAF, and squadrons from other...
s dropping 12000 lb (5,443.1 kg) Blockbuster bomb
Blockbuster bomb
Blockbuster or "cookie" was the name given to several of the largest conventional bombs used in World War II by the Royal Air Force...
s.
617 Squadron achieved an accuracy of 94 yd (86 m) at the V Weapon launch site at Abbeville
Abbeville
Abbeville is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Location:Abbeville is located on the Somme River, from its modern mouth in the English Channel, and northwest of Amiens...
on 16/17 December 1943.
See also
- Norden bombsightNorden bombsightThe Norden bombsight was a tachometric bombsight used by the United States Army Air Forces and the United States Navy during World War II, and the United States Air Force in the Korean and the Vietnam Wars to aid the crew of bomber aircraft in dropping bombs accurately...
a similar vintage USAAF bomb sight - Mark XIV bomb sightMark XIV bomb sightThe Mark XIV Computing Bomb Sight is a vector bombsight developed and used by the Royal Air Force's Bomber Command during World War II. The bombsight was also known as the Blackett sight after its primary inventor, P.M.S. Blackett...
a contemporary bomb sight used for area bombing by the RAF
Further reading
- John Davidson Air-Bomber (Sources for this site)