Winds of War Trivia Quiz

Answer: Mitsubishi

The Mitsubishi A6M Zero, popularly called the "Zero", was one of the premier carrier based fighter aircraft in the world at the beginning of World War II. Its use in dogfighting may have been unequaled, as at one time it boasted a kill ratio of 12:1. By 1942 American and European aircraft engineers caught up and surpassed the design of the Zero. By 1944 kamikaze tactics began in earnest as the Japanese lost their hold on the skies of battle.

Answer: Aleutian Islands

This Akutan Zero or Aleutian Zero was a Japanese fighter plane that crashed in the American owned Aleutian Islands on July 11, 1942. It was recovered in flyable condition after being shot down and was used by the American Air Force to discover design flaws. What was learned from this plane had a direct impact on the tactics used to defeat the Japanese Army.

Its recovery was regarded by many as priceless.

Answer: Soviet Union

"Operation Barbarossa" ultimately destroyed over 5,000 planes belonging to the Red Army by the beginning of October. The Soviet Union fought back valiantly, engaging in dogfights over Leningrad, Moscow and the Ukraine. In desperation the Soviet Airforce took to ramming their aircraft into the German aircraft in a futile attempt to save what they could.

Answer: The Korean War

Often called "Black Tuesday", the Namsi MiG Alley Battle is usually considered the largest air combat of the Korean War. Fought on October 23, 1951, it involved battle between the American made Boeing B-29 Superfortess and the Soviet designed MiG jet fighter over Namsi, Korea.

While many experts consider this battle to be the greatest aerial jet engagement of the 20th century, sadly it has become just another forgotten air battle in a largely forgotten war.

Answer: World War I

The first dogfights occurred during World War I, only a decade or so after the invention of the airplane. Early on, due to weight restrictions, pilots were limited as to the weapons that could be carried on these early airplanes. At first pilots were known to throw bricks and grenades or attempt to drop a rope into another pilot's propeller, all of which could cause the opponent to crash.

The area of aviation weaponry was born at this time and has advanced rapidly ever since.

Answer: Divine Wind

The word "Kamikaze" is usually translated as "divine wind". The word was originally used as a name for large typhoons that were believed to have been caused by divine beings.

Answer: First plane to land on a moving ship

This plane was the first to ever land on a moving ship, HMS Furious. This dangerous aerial maneuver became a mainstay in 20th century warfare. Sadly, Edwin Dunning was killed the third time he attempted this when his plane did not stop in time and went over the side of the ship.

Answer: Boeing B-29 Superfortress Bomber

The Enola Gay was a B-29 Superfortress Bomber with extensive modifications. The payload delivered by this plane played a pivotal role in ending World War II. In 1995, the cockpit and nose section of the plane were put on display at the National Air and Space Museum.

Answer: Great Britain

Both of these aircraft were single-seat British fighter aircraft. The Spitfire sported newly designed elliptical wings and was powered by a Rolls-Royce engine. The Hawker was used extensively and very successfully during the Battle of Britain. Among the advantages of these aircraft was the fact that they could be produced on production lines and easily adapted.

Answer: True

Operation Ranch Hand used exfoliation and herbicides with devastating effect on rural areas of Vietnam. Over 20 million gallons of these products were used in an attempt to deprive the Viet Cong of both sustenance and cover in which to hide. The Fairchild C-123 Provider was the aircraft that was frequently used as they could carry tanks of over 1,000 gallons of herbicide on each flight.

The repercussions of this type of warfare have been more complex and longer-lasting than was thought at the time.