[Pursuivant]

Originally Posted by RPS69

Just find some time to spend testing .50's on lots of planes.

Brilliant! A very clever method of testing.

Originally Posted by RPS69

I used a B25 rear gunner, and each time placed a different plane at it's rear on the runaway.

B-25 rear guns are equal to those of most other US medium or heavy bombers - twin .50 calibers - so good choice.

Originally Posted by RPS69

Planes I tested that won't break a wing:

Good data. But, two minor complaints.

How many bullets does it take to break the wings of the planes whose wings will break?

Shooting at planes on the ground also means that its wings are under exactly 1 G of positive pressure for the entire period. Assuming that IL2 models it, that means that there's no way to test whether a wing will fail due to damage when subjected to G loads.

Further experiment idea: Try the same thing with the G4M "Betty" and see how well suspect planes fare against a 20 mm cannon. If you can't eventually break wings with a 20 mm cannon, that means there's a serious DM problem.

For the planes whose wings can't be broken off by .50 caliber fire, it seems odd that the P-40 and the Tempest are on the list. Both were regarded as being quite rugged.

Originally Posted by RPS69

I also tested the other thread beginner theory about 190 no taking fire when hitting their engine with .50's.

190 Do take fire, but it is represented on the cabin.

That might just represent a fuel tank fire, since the FW-190 is angled up when its on the ground, possibly allowing bullets to hit just below the engine so they pass through the fuel tank.

Originally Posted by RPS69

All other airplanes will also take fire, but it will be showed on different places, not necessary on their engines.

Again, is this due to actual engine fire, or due to hits to the fuel tanks?

Originally Posted by RPS69

Only the Zero it's much more fragile to the .50's. A well placed burst will break it easily.

This seems to be realistic. There are many reports of US pilots causing Zeroes, especially the A6M2 series, to break up in midair using just .50 caliber bullets. But, that might just be wing tanks exploding.