Taped gun muzzles on wing leading edges.

[DiabloTX]

Was there a specific purpose to applying tape over the gun muzzles on the leading edge of the wing?  

Seems like such a basic question but I can't find an answer anywhere.

Thanks in advance.

[Widewing]

Originally posted by DiabloTX
Was there a specific purpose to applying tape over the gun muzzles on the leading edge of the wing?  

Seems like such a basic question but I can't find an answer anywhere.

Thanks in advance.

Keeping the guns clean and dry was important. Accumulated moisture could freeze at high altitudes. Taping was a simple method of increasing the reliability of the guns. AVG and later 1st Air Commando Armorer Chuck Baisden says that it was SOP.

Freeman's Mighty 8th War Manual explains it the same way.

My regards,

Widewing

[Krusty]

I've also heard that it was an instant tell if one of the guns failed to fire during combat. The ground crew could see the tape was intact and knew to check that gun.

[DiabloTX]

Thanks guys.

[Widewing]

Originally posted by Krusty
I've also heard that it was an instant tell if one of the guns failed to fire during combat. The ground crew could see the tape was intact and knew to check that gun.

While this would provide a visual cue, if the guns were fired they would require counting rounds fired, inspection, cleaning and reloading. Thus, a malfunctioning gun would be discovered anyway.

My regards,

Widewing

[Charge]

I think the primary reason was to keep the guns clean and dry as Widewing already said, but those holes and cannon muzzles etc. in the leading edge distrub the airflow and may provide a starting point for a local stall so it useful to have a the leading edge as clean as possible. So they were not taped because of aerodynamic reasons but it was a small improvement in that sense too.

-C+

[Stoney74]

Several of the VMF's flying the Corsair in the Solomons added a fourth set of tape on each wing to try and fool the Japanese into thinking the F4U had 8 .50 cals as well.

[Airscrew]

along with what was already mentioned I also read or heard the tape was also used as a visual clue that the plane's guns had been armed and also kept dust, dirt, bugs, birds and whatever else out of the gun barrels

[Ack-Ack]

I also heard the tape on the doorknob meant the crew chief was getting some action and not to come in.


ack-ack

[Krusty]

You mean a sock, right? Sometimes also a hangar, or a necktie, is sufficient >:D

[F4UDOA]

The answer is simple,

It prevented the enemy from sticking their fingers in the gun barrels and therefore disabling the weapon alla Bugs Bunny.

[Wes14]

Originally posted by F4UDOA
The answer is simple,

It prevented the enemy from sticking their fingers in the gun barrels and therefore disabling the weapon alla Bugs Bunny.

but really.. on Mythbusters they proved if u stuck your finger in the barrell of the gun is a BAD idea...if ur whole hand goesnt get blown off..all the damage to the gun may be a little damage at the end of the barrell

[Pooh21]

Originally posted by Wes14

but really.. on Mythbusters they proved if u stuck your finger in the barrell of the gun is a BAD idea...

LOL look what the modern education system churns out.

[Serenity]

Originally posted by Pooh21
LOL look what the modern education system churns out.

Yeah, seriously. If your only defense to a gun is to stick your finger in it, you deserve to be shot. You dont need to test it to figure out that is a bad idea...

[Wes14]

Hey dont point your fingers at me being dumb..i just showed a "Professional" opinion to F4UDOA's comment on sticking fingers in guns to disable them

but F4UDOA if u want to stick a finger in a gun to see if it would be disabled..go ahead:aok  make everyones day