Position Firing | B-17 Gunner Training Film (1944)

[1srelluc]

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[cnm]

Yeah, seen that. It's tricky all right.

 

[Mikeoxenormous]

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On the F-15 they had a "lead angle computer" that did all the thinking for the pilot to place the nose of the gun onto the opponent. Sometimes you never saw the other plane until it ended up on fire and heading to the ground,

 

[cnm]

Sometimes you never saw the other plane until it ended up on fire and heading to the ground,

Yeah? That's pretty chilling all right. What range would that be, for the gun?

 

[Mikeoxenormous]

Yeah? That's pretty chilling all right. What range would that be, for the gun?

20mm rounds but the way the computer forecasted where the jet was supposed to be, i would say inside 100 yards dogfighting. I got to see the debriefing of the pilot and his recording of the "kill" simulation of course.

 

[cnm]

20mm rounds but the way the computer forecasted where the jet was supposed to be, i would say inside 100 yards dogfighting. I got to see the debriefing of the pilot and his recording of the "kill" simulation of course.

Never saw it at 100yds? Chilling, fer sure.

 

[Mikeoxenormous]

Never saw it at 100yds? Chilling, fer sure.

The computer did, which was why it was leading the nose of the F-15 long before the other aircraft moved into the area where the cannon was shooting. Can you imagine if the gunners in the B-17 had that capability? Many men would of been saved back then.