Water landings are said to be near impossible to pull off for anything but hydroplanes (see also: the Hudson miracle) and yet water bombers do it as a matter of routine. How do they keep from crashing (or at least, losing so much speed that they can’t just climb again after scooping up the water) as soon as they hit water?
In: 18
The scoop usually isn’t in the front of the belly where smooth low-friction contact is needed. The front is sealed and still acts as a normal seaplane “prow” in the water. The hatches open behind that point, letting the water leak in from underneath.
Latest Answers