Self Sealing Fuel Tanks

[Boomer Redleg]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwvlZISfMeg

[tocaff]

A very nice advantage to have had over the enemy.

[uncivil_servant]

I wonder if self sealing tanks were taken into consideration in plane statistics.

[dr.hal]

I think it is reflected in the durability of the aircraft.

[KenchiSulla]

Armor 1 = self sealing tanks?

[dr.hal]

I think that would be part of it, along with the steel plate behind the pilot. I've read histories where pilots use to fly with a helmet as well and they would put it UNDER the seat (as there was no steel there) but that was in bombers.

[Erkki]

I don't think the shot fuel tank in the video was filled with fuel or water(the last shot where someone pokes a hole with a cartridge).

I think self-sealing tanks worked mostly against shrapnel and light calibre rounds. The sealing process took time.

In WitPAE afaik all planes with self-sealing fuel tanks have armor: 1 but not necessarily the other way around, some that didn't like H8K have armour rating 1.

[Mundy]

I had watched a vid some time ago -- probably seen by most people here. I think it was from a German gun camera.

In it a P-47 was hit and a large fire resulted. After a few seconds, the fire was out, and fuel could be seen fanning out. After a few more seconds, this stopped and the 47 pulled away.

It was rather amazing to watch.

Ed-

[rustysi]

probably seen by most people here.

Awe... I missed it.[:(]

[Boomer Redleg]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz8QsBxcOMw

Uploaded on Sep 5, 2008
Fw-190 (von Hinton) vs La-5, Fw-190 (Kurvenkampf)vs P-47 (saved by self Sealing Fuel Tanks) in a long vertical tunring fight, Fw-190 (Kurvenkampf) vs P-51 (Acrobatics), USAAF Capt DW Johnson Johnson in unknown plane (from flight characteristics I'd say p-47) vs FW-190 ace (obvious).

[Erkki]

Sorry to ruin the party again but the P-47s used in Europe didn't have wing fuel tanks. Only P-47N did. (source: wiki and David Donald's American Warplanes of World War II, P-47 cut-away/explosion picture on page 225 and text on page 227).

I think what is seen on the video is either an incendiary or more likely explosive shell that burns where it hit.

edit: films of the time were very IR sensitive so it perhaps would have looked less spectacular to a naked eye or modern cameras.

[Mundy]

[:(]

[btd64]

ORIGINAL: dr.hal

I think it is reflected in the durability of the aircraft.

I think so also...GP