To be read by anyone who wants to discuss guns in AH

[Pongo]

 http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/8217/fgun/fgun-in.html

This excellent thesis could have been torn from the pages of the AH news group. It should definatly be set up as a link from this web site.

While no doubt some of it is opinion the discussion is of increadable thouroughness.



------------------
Pongo
The Wrecking Crew

[snafu]

Fantastic Article Thanks Pongo,

From someone who couldn't hit a buff at 500 yards with an anti aircraft gun.

TTFN
snafu

[Karnak]

Very nice.  A good constructive post.

Sisu

[NineZ]

Thanks Pongo, great article!

------------------
 

[This message has been edited by NineZ (edited 03-31-2000).]

[Minotaur]

Pongo;

Thanks!    

This whole debate for was starting to become a real life issue vs game issue.  I realize that you can't compare the two.

 

A recent British book claims that these Tempests outgunned and could outspeed all contemporaries. It is a matter of record that eight .50-cal machine guns or one 20-mm plus four .50s can throw a much greater weight of lead in a given period than four 20-mm cannon can.

 
I found the above quote and this table fascinating.  Kind of going along with what I had thought.  This however, is just not so for on-line sim games that I have played.

I assume this table does not compensate for HE rounds.  This has to be the difference including the way damage is modeled, which I am guessing is rather simplistic.  

Thanks again!    

------------------
Mino
The Wrecking Crew

[This message has been edited by Minotaur (edited 04-01-2000).]

[Minotaur]

I also found this, pertaining to the P-51.

 

Six .50 guns was the armament of most US fighters. Most pilots liked the .50 gun, but it lacked the power to do structural damage to enemy aircraft. Postwar research demonstrated that only armour-piercing incendiary rounds were really effective, by setting fire to ammunition or fuel. This armament was sufficient for the Mustang, because it was an escort fighter, that had to fight mostly against enemy fighters. The guns were usually set to converge at 300 yards, and 2 degrees above the normal flight attitude. The ammunition supply was relatively large, and that was also beneficial for an escort fighter. Last but not least, the Browning was very reliable and had good ballistics.

------------------
Mino
The Wrecking Crew

[funked]

 

The choice of the .50 machine gun as standard weapon for US fighter aircraft is one of the most controversial armament issues, and many authors seem to seek justification for its use by making highly exaggerated claims about its effectiveness.