P-38's pilot

[USCH]

Why is it that the P-38's pilot (all 3 types) can get hit when rounds hit outside the cockpit? Ive done testing with .50 cals and we have seen that rounds .50 or bigger that hit outside the cockpit but inside the engines on both sides will hit or even kill the pilot. Even when they are only hitting the inside wing area (usually within the inside 1/2 of the wing closes to the cockpit). Its as if the pilot area extends 3 feet outside the cockpit.

Can anything be done about this with AHIII?

[Ack-Ack]

I've never been wounded by rounds that have not hit the cockpit.  All of my pilot wounds show a nice little hole (or a couple of them) in the canopy.  I've had rounds hit the inside of the engine nacelles and inboard wing, near the wing root without ever getting a pilot wound.

[Randy1]

How did you run the test?

[USCH]

First we parked a jeep behind the 38's and fired one round each time to establish a base (and basic knowledge) of the areas you can shoot and have this happen. Then we flew 38's at slow level flight (just above stall speed) and fired at it using ANY single mounted gun we could find, (Yak exc. 303, .50, 20mm firing only one gun at a time trying to make sure shots were accurate of course)

I would be more than happy to re-test with you if you doubt me. I don't want look foolish if i'm wrong. But i have seen in game, and as stated, in testing. That for me personally I have had it happen to me as stated.

[Randy1]

First we parked a jeep behind the 38's and fired one round each time to establish a base (and basic knowledge) of the areas you can shoot and have this happen. Then we flew 38's at slow level flight (just above stall speed) and fired at it using ANY single mounted gun we could find, (Yak exc. 303, .50, 20mm firing only one gun at a time trying to make sure shots were accurate of course)

I would be more than happy to re-test with you if you doubt me. I don't want look foolish if i'm wrong. But i have seen in game, and as stated, in testing. That for me personally I have had it happen to me as stated.

Interesting test.  Did you run a test with another plane and compare the results with the P-38 test?

[bozon]

Interesting test.  Did you run a test with another plane and compare the results with the P-38 test?

test a mossie.  it seems that every bullet hitting antwhere has the potential to ricuchet into the pilot.

[USCH]

Interesting test.  Did you run a test with another plane and compare the results with the P-38 test?

just the Temp, and a 109, didn't see anything similar.

test a mossie.  it seems that every bullet hitting antwhere has the potential to ricuchet into the pilot.

I have heard that as well and we were going to but since ran out of time. I will for sure try some when i get to it again.

[icepac]

Definately interested in the mossie but the test may have to include forward and back "pilot sizing" as well.

It's possible that the pilot is in front of the cockpit by a small amount....maybe?

[USCH]

Definately interested in the mossie but the test may have to include forward and back "pilot sizing" as well.

It's possible that the pilot is in front of the cockpit by a small amount....maybe?

possibly for the Mossy but for the 38 he seems 3 feet (each side) too Fat   

When i get more time ill see what i can find out.

[Mongoose]

 If you have film, send it in.  That will definitely help HTC  find and fix the problem.

[Randy1]

I have always thought the P-38 got more pilot wounds to my cartoon pilot than in the P-47 but it could be the P-47 had better pilot armor.

Every time a subject comes up like this it becomes clear that HTC's modeling is much more detailed than the players know.

A good example of the level of detail is the C-47 slows down when the door is open.  How cool is that.  My point is there may be more to the modeling of a pilot wound than we know or could even guess.

It would be interesting to know just how large HTC's reference library is that they draw their modeling information from.  I bet it is large and well documented.