Headlight issues

[classicman]

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

What? Does that make sense to you?

[glatt]

It makes sense to me, but I think it's total BS.

TW is saying that in WWII, airplanes would turn their wing headlights on so that they could sneak up on submarines in broad daylight. He's saying lights made the planes less visible. Therefore, daytime running lights on cars are not effective at making cars more visible. TW thinks daytime running lights are stupid.

I personally find it easier to see cars with their daytime running lights on, because cars today are mostly all the same basic invisible color. Some sort of silver/gray/tan. They blend into the road and the background. I like daytime running lights.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by glatt

I think it's total BS.

Agreed.

TW is saying that in WWII, airplanes would turn their wing headlights on so that they could sneak up on submarines in broad daylight. He's saying lights made the planes less visible. Therefore, daytime running lights on cars are not effective at making cars more visible. TW thinks daytime running lights are stupid.

How did the lights make them less visible? This makes no sense.

I personally find it easier to see cars with their daytime running lights on, because cars today are mostly all the same basic invisible color. Some sort of silver/gray/tan. They blend into the road and the background. I like daytime running lights.

Agreed.

[Griff]

Originally Posted by classicman

How did the lights make them less visible? This makes no sense.

If you're chillin' on the deck of a U-boat you scan the sky for dark dots against the bright sky, lights along the wing may mask that sillouette... [shrug] I think the running lights are effective as well.

[HungLikeJesus]

Originally Posted by glatt

...
TW is saying that in WWII, airplanes would turn their wing headlights on so that they could sneak up on submarines in broad daylight. He's saying lights made the planes less visible. ...

I remember hearing about this when I was in the military. I think it's called active camouflage, which, for aircraft, is probably most effective with pale blue lights.

[tw]

Originally Posted by HungLikeJesus

I remember hearing about this when I was in the military. I think it's called active camouflage,

The technique was not used long. Radar made it easier for planes to get on top of a Uboat faster and to do so in inclement weather and at night.

With Ultra, they knew where to look. With radar, the Uboats were found quickly even when Uboats resorted to snorkels.

Anybody want to sink a German car?

[Shawnee123]

I always thought headlights in the daytime would make a car more visible...at first. Because, when only a few cars had headlights on in daytime they stood out, so you noticed them.

When every car has headlights on in the daytime, they all begin to blend together again.

For me, I am having a giant torch attached to the lid of my car, with sparks that shoot out, and lazzzzzzzzzzerrrrrrrrrrrs.

They'll see ME.