Physics question

Harry K wrote:
wrote:
He misses the ME-109 because the recoil of firing the bullet
accelerates the B-17 just a bit, so that the bullet, travelling at a
little less than the bomber's speed actually briefly follows the bomber
as it falls.

A related question: Haven't there been cases of supersonic
fighters shooting themselves down when they caught up to the shells
they'd fired forward?

Dan

I was hoping someone would answer that. I recall seeing/hearing/reading
somewhat the same thing back when. Best I can recall it involved an
F-86 or equivalent (not supersonic) and happened by firing and then
going into a dive thus flying into the bullet stream. Are 50 cal
bullets supersonic?
If so, the plane would also have to be.

I don't know the muzzle velocity of 50 caliber ammo but even it
is supersonic, it is balistic whereas the plane is powered so
it could (maybe) dive and catch the bullets as they slowed.

--

FF

RST Engineering wrote:
Several people, most of whom have at least had physics, and at least one
with a degree in physics have stated that you are wrong and why. Suggest
you read the thread before you post.
...


"BRO" wrote in message
...




With the correct lead the bullet and the ME-109 colide, at which point the
tragectory of the bullet is drasticaly altered such that it, and teh
ME-109 all fall/fly to earth as one mass.


No. With the _correct_ lead he can hit.

The _correct_ lead is different from how he would lead if
he was firing from a fixed position.

The _correct_ lead is incompatible with firing when the ME-109 is
directly behind the B-17. He cannot correctly lead the Me-109
AND fire when the Me-109 is directly behind the B-17. But he
CAN correctly lead AND fire straight back.

In fact, he correct lead if the ME is at a range of 50 yards,
when the B17 crosses the flight path of the ME-109,
is to fire straight back. Then he will hit when the Me-109
is fifty yards behind the B-17.

The problem is not with what he said, but with what he did
not say. He didn't say what part of the original problem
he was changing in order to introduce his new condiditon,
_correctly_ leading he Me-109. Maybe he didn't realize
there was an incompatibility, or mybe he thought it
would be obvious which statement he was dropping.

Which just serves to demonstrate the conventional wisdom
about assumptions.

--

FF

All 'a dem Fokkers wuz Messerschmits!