Quote:
Originally Posted by Pfeil
Even so, oil/avgas are not lighter than air.
As such, draining both tanks(which would simultaneously fill them with air) would make for more effective floatation and less weight(thus higher on the water) than leaving them full.
Reducing overall mass would also reduce the damage caused by the initial impact into the water.
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True. Some fuel systems actually route exhaust gasses into the fuel tanks as a fire protection (the layer of CO2 and other gasses prevents a spark in the tank from igniting the fuel). In a few cases, there are fuel bladders which collapse as the fuel empties, so they wouldn't provide flotation.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pfeil
I remember seeing something about a carrier pilot who had a lightning strike take out most of his instruments.
He actually found the carrier at night because he followed the algae churned up in the wake of the ship. So presumably large ships would leave behind quite a trail(even if not exactly a wake).
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This is a bit of an unusual situation, since bioluminescent plankton don't appear in all waters, and they continue to glow for a while after they are agitated; possibly even after the ship's wake has subsided. (And damned lucky for the pilot!)
Even so, big ships traveling at speed leave long wakes. It would be wonderful if ships in IL2 looked like this:
http://bellsouthpwp2.net/e/a/ea_herr/Friday13th.jpg
http://bellsouthpwp2.net/e/a/ea_herr/NightFight2.gif
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/i...01/f003725.jpg
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/i...01/f004845.jpg
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/i...01/f057576.jpg
Note long wakes at high speeds and evasive action to avoid bombs and torpedoes.