Author Topic: F4U hit location bug (Read 452 times)

Saxman · « **on:** March 22, 2007, 10:10:38 PM »

The F4U's main fuel tank is located in the fuselage forward of the cockpit. However it appears that damage inflicted on the rear of the aircraft can cause the main fuel tank to be damaged.

This has occurred in situations where an enemy is sitting literally on my direct 6 o'clock level so is not the result of a shot being taken from above or below. Clearly the odds of a round passing through the cockpit's armored rear wall, the cockpit itself, and the cockpit dash while without inflicting injury on the pilot (or even retaining the energy NECESSARY to cause significant damage to the fuel tank) are such a long shot it can't explain the frequency at which this happens.

Also, in the F4U-1 and 1A the wing fuel tanks are out in the outer part of the wing. However fuel leakage there still occurs too far inboard (around the inner third, though it IS improved over the fuselage leaks as it once did) and if the plane loses the outer half of one wing the fuel tank is unaffected, even if that fuel tank should be lost along with the rest of the wing.

Krusty · « **Reply #1 on:** March 22, 2007, 11:12:29 PM »

That depends entirely on which round. 20mm rounds (like the Hispano) could punch through the armor "tub", through the armored seat, through the pilot, through the instruments, and keep going into the engine or other parts forward. That did happen.

Small rifle caliber rounds less likely to happen.

50Cal API? Maybe, but only a small %, IMO.

What about the tank extending below the armored "tub", and bullets passing below the cockpit and hitting it's lower area, which is exposed?

Saxman · « **Reply #2 on:** March 22, 2007, 11:22:32 PM »

Thing is it happens without the pilot being wounded at ALL (I neglected to make that part clear).

Also, rounds can't pass below the cockpit tub in the 1-model Hogs without missing the plane outright. The floor of the cockpit tub there is quite literally the belly of the plane, and I don't believe the main fuel tank extended down that far.

Krusty · « **Reply #3 on:** March 23, 2007, 01:19:32 AM »

I can only suggest that the pilot's armor is only directly behind the pilot, and that the vast space below him and the belly (there is a gap, the seat is raised up off the floor) would still allow rounds to pass into the fuel tank.

Saxman · « **Reply #4 on:** March 23, 2007, 07:16:28 AM »

Like I said, I don't believe the fuel tank extends DOWN that far.

FBplmmr · « **Reply #5 on:** March 27, 2007, 07:24:46 PM »

check the Zapruder film, because there is no way that could happen in real life.

BGgetmo · « **Reply #6 on:** April 12, 2007, 08:03:18 AM »

Convergence? most planes, the rounds come from the wings, not from nose, might this account for the fuel hit? as they are actually comming from both sides of the plane, not directly behind it. Makes sense to me

~~Getmo~~

Saxman · « **Reply #7 on:** April 12, 2007, 11:09:50 AM »

It would have to be a shot from CLOSER than convergence range for that to be the case, (and the rounds to enter the ank from either side) and this is happening at ranges of 600 or more.

SkyGnome · « **Reply #8 on:** April 12, 2007, 11:34:00 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Saxman
It would have to be a shot from CLOSER than convergence range for that to be the case, (and the rounds to enter the ank from either side) and this is happening at ranges of 600 or more.

Not to be too picky, but it can also happen beyond convergence range, if the aim point is to the side of the target.