On 19 Nov 2003 21:55:39 GMT, (ArtKramr) wrote:

Subject: Which cockpit has the best visibility?
From: Ed Rasimus

Oh, and no armor anywhere.


NO ARMOR ANYWHERE?? In the B-26 the cockpit had 1/2" of a steel behind the
pilots and lots on the sides as well. Fuel tanks were armored as were tail and
top turret gunner positiones. Only the nose (Plexiglas) and waist windows had
no armor. How come yours was stripped?

Arthur Kramer

Maybe somebody was out to get me?

Weren't no armor in 105s. Probably had something to do with the desire
to make the airplane go Mach 2. I never had the pleasure of going that
fast, but found the beast more than thrilling at low level and high
speed.

Putting armor behind the seat would have been extraneous. There was
nearly six feet of airplane beneath the seat already and a big hulking
engine (and some fuel tanks) behind.

Of course, there was always the psychological benefit of crouching
down below the canopy rail. It made me feel secure.