P-51C/A with 3 .50s?

[Die Hard]

On recon planes the reason was so that the enemy wouldn't know they were unarmed and couldn't pick them out from the escorts.

[Cthulhu]

On recon planes the reason was so that the enemy wouldn't know they were unarmed and couldn't pick them out from the escorts.

In the air, the windows for the large apeture photo gear would be visible long before the armament, either real or bogus, was. Most likely the fake gunports were more of a psychological boost to the recon pilots than anything else. Also I believe almost all recon missions were flown unescorted, keeping a "low profile", minimizing radar return, etc. IIRC, this was true with most of the F-4 and F-5 missions flown.

[Guppy35]

In the air, the windows for the large apeture photo gear would be visible long before the armament, either real or bogus, was. Most likely the fake gunports were more of a psychological boost to the recon pilots than anything else. Also I believe almost all recon missions were flown unescorted, keeping a "low profile", minimizing radar return, etc. IIRC, this was true with most of the F-4 and F-5 missions flown.

This guy must have missed the memo.  Fake gun barrels on his recce 38.  The nose contour would have been the same until the late F5G noses too.  I would agree that in least part of the logic was to reassure the pilots.

Recce 38s often got escorts in the ETO.

[1pLUs44]

Sorry, was honestly looking for a plane that I was gonna try skinning. I wanted to take a whack at a 352nd when that picture caught my eye.



(what I get from a Texas edujamacation   )

[Cthulhu]

This guy must have missed the memo.  Fake gun barrels on his recce 38.  The nose contour would have been the same until the late F5G noses too.  I would agree that in least part of the logic was to reassure the pilots.

Recce 38s often got escorts in the ETO.

(Image removed from quote.)

Actually the glazing for the recon gear was even more obvious on the F-5E's than it is on the G's. (will post pics as soon as ImageShack get's it's act together ) Still seems that the camera ports would be identifiable at a far greater range than any armament, real or "pretend". Guessing the escort info I found was more applicable to the PTO the the ETO. Far easier to just outrun any surprises in the Pacific than it was in Europe.

[Krusty]

I've got a book with a photo of a Bf110C/E in the med with painted on cannon gunports and the ground crew walking towards it with the recon camera (which sat in the fuselage where the cannons normally were).

I think by the time you got close enough to notice it would be too late to make a difference. I agree it's mostly for the crew's sake.


EDIT: P.S. Maybe the enemy pilots didn't know most recons were unarmed. Most allied recon planes WERE armed, whereas many LW recon fighter planes sacrificed significant armament to house cameras (weight savings)

[Chalenge]

Just another dumb things humans do from time to time.