.303's

[Flying Pencil]

Originally Posted by Kurfürst

The Do 17 is the easiest to be shot down IMHO, as it has neither the robustusness of the Heinkell nor the nimbleness of the 88, but the radial engines seem to be very resistant.

Myth.

Statistically, The Ju-88 suffered significantly more losses in BoB then He-111 or Do-17z.
Do-17z's where also used in low level bombing raids, including the very famous one on, pardon if I name the wrong field, but Kently.
IIRC, of those that attacked, 1 crashed, 1 force landed in UK, the rest made it to France, only just, all where badly damaged.

The Do-17 was smaller then the other two, had a one piece space frame wing making it more durable then the joined wings of the 111 and 88.
As you mentioned, the radial engines where less prone to stoppage due to damage, as the B-17's and Grumman aircraft years later proved as they kept coming back home.

17's did have Self-sealing fuel tanks (while Blen and Wimpey did not, resulting in many losses). Armor was added later (non of the German bombers had armor at start, field additions).

The 17's could and did carry 20mm cannons, with the bomb sight (The 88 could carry 20mm, or bomb sight, BUT NOT BOTH).