Waterspouts - Water columns - Splashes

[uglyjeff]

I have not seen this one from anyone yet, but I think it's worth working on.

In short:

When chasing an enemy thats flying low over the water, you would be able to put a few rounds out in front of him thus creating waterspouts that would do damage or kill him if he flew into them.

Not sure that water "spout" is the correct term for what I am trying to say but I think it is easy enough to pick up what I'm throwing down.

[Rash]

Why not just shoot the plane?

[uglyjeff]

maybe you cant because he's outrunning you... or your aoa is bad, it shouldnt matter - this was a tactic used in the pacific but little heard of.

you would have to get out of the conventional box for this idea that's all

[Spikes]

It would put a halt to some of the deck running...

[BaDkaRmA158Th]

Would a few splashes realy hurt a plane goin' 300+mph in one direction, i can see it maby knocking it off flight path a WEE bit, but..far be it from knocking a engine out, or riping a wing off.

Maby to blind them, but thats about it as the prop would make quick work out of water splashed up from a few hundred rounds.

:Edit" not to say it would survive a huge splash from a cv round, or the ju's huge cannons "i remember it having like 60 foot tall water spouts, big thick ones too.
And how low would a ac need to be to be greatly effected.

[uglyjeff]

at 300mph - I'd say a plane hitting a 6" column of water wouldn't be any different than a plane hitting a 6" pillar of concrete.

[EskimoJoe]

It'd kinda be like shooting a sports car going 100+ mph with a squirt gun.

[Wes14]

I don't think a bullet from an airplane can cause enough of a splash to down a plane... now if the 5" cannon might be able too. 

[Matador]

lets take it to the Mythbuster 

[Delirium]

The Bismark threw a couple big shells at a Swordfish, the geyser was almost enough to down to plane.

An aircraft do that? Doubtful, unless it was with some type of explosive device.

[Spikes]

Who said it had to down it? Simply slow it down by making the guy maneuver, instead of the guy putting it on auto pilot, going to the kitchen to grab a beer, come back and go from 800 to 1.5 away...

[Wes14]

So, running planes normally fly a foot or two off of the water? Cause I don't think the splash of any airplane gun in AH, Other then the pumpkin chunker of a cannon the B25 has would cause a very high splash. You may be better off just trying to shoot the arse feathers off the runner's aircraft.

[Saxman]

Delirium pretty much got it:

The tactic WAS used by SHIPS firing their guns into the water.

[uglyjeff]

ok - uncle!

[evenhaim]

You can already kill low flying fast movers with rockets, especially over wooded areas, take a pony or p38 set salvo 1, aim above the enemy by 3-4 plane lengths, and watch.....