What i love about the 109!

[Hveding]

The 109 can take a hit, or too ^^
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkBh0dBujiM&list=UUmjahgeB-JqZe-Nl9UPz_tw&index=1&feature=plcp

[GraveyardJimmy]

I suppose if it had been a turning fight there would be a greater area of the airframe in the stream of the bullets and areas like the engine and cockpit would be exposed rather than just the wings and rear fuselage.

[He111]

Isn't that why IL2 pilots were ordered to fly straight and level ? less damage?

But I've never heard Emils being complimented on their durability! :grin:

.

[JG52Krupi]

Isn't that why IL2 pilots were ordered to fly straight and level ? less damage?

But I've never heard Emils being complimented on their durability! :grin:

.

:D

The thing is being hit like that only takes a few burst and you can easily sever a crucial control cable... cut cables forcing me to bail out and pilot kills are usually how I am "bagged".

[ElAurens]

If those Spits were firing at the proper convergence, and had their ammo loadouts properly done, you would have been toast in short order.

Worse for you if they would have been Hurricanes as well.

[41Sqn_Stormcrow]

The spit pilots where a bit rookie I'd say. First they did not hit thaaaat much and then with bad convergence. And of course the 109 was rugged air plane with quite a bit of armour. That is why it was quite heavy compared to its size (it was considerably smaller than the spit or hurri)

[Sven]

But what is your reference that the 109 couldn't take such damage when the pilot remains in the aircraft? Firing from dead 6 is the 109's best defensive position, then the fuel tank is protected by an armoured plate and so is the pilot. The only obvious target is the coolant system, which both need to be knocked out if you want to prevent the 109 from reaching it's base. Secondary target are the control cables, which has to be a lucky shot. (Pilot probably bailed for that reason in vid )

[5./JG27.Farber]

Most of the shots missed...