Spitfire Armor - Aircraft of World War II

Lightning Guy · 01-29-2005, 04:51 PM

I was recently looking at a diagram of the armor plating used on the Spitifre. It appears that the ammo boxes for the .303 machine guns were armored but no protection was given to the 20mm cannons or there ammo. Does anyone know if this is correct or why it was?

plan_D · 01-30-2005, 04:51 AM

If it is true, I imagine it was because there was no room. 20mm cannons take up a lot of space, as do their ammo.

Lightning Guy · 01-30-2005, 10:29 AM

Perhaps, but I would think an explosion among the 20mm ammo would be a much greater threat. And would the added protection around the .303 ammo justify the added weight?

plan_D · 01-30-2005, 10:40 AM

I don't know if the added protection was worth it but on the A-Wing Spitfires, all the ammo and gun would be protected so it's good then. Maybe a waste on the B and C Wing Spitfires. I was wondering, did this diagram mention anything about the E-Wings? Were the .50cals armoured?

R Pope · 01-30-2005, 09:00 PM

None of my cutaways or references mention armoured ammo boxes. Are you sure you're not misidentifying the metal boxes as armour?

Lightning Guy · 01-31-2005, 10:55 AM

It's a cutaway titled "Armor Protection." The expected areas are highlighted (windscreen, seat back, etc.) but so are the ammo boxes for the .303 mgs.

plan_D · 01-31-2005, 12:37 PM

So, nothing on the E-Wing then?

Lightning Guy · 01-31-2005, 02:18 PM

No. It's a Mk.Vb. Is it just a bogus chart?

the lancaster kicks ass · 01-31-2005, 02:31 PM

boy i'd hate to see an armour diagram for the lanc

mosquitoman · 01-31-2005, 02:35 PM

The only bit of armour in a Lanc was the pilot's headrest I think

the lancaster kicks ass · 01-31-2005, 02:45 PM

yes that is correct, the only peice of armour plating on the entire lanc that was fitted as standard was behind the headrest of the pilot...............

mosquitoman · 01-31-2005, 02:47 PM

Lucky pilot!

Lightning Guy · 01-31-2005, 06:40 PM

I've got a chart that suggests the Lanc had a set of armored doors immediately behind the wireless operator's station.

plan_D · 02-01-2005, 06:03 AM

It seems this chart is a failure. Surely, it would state all the wing configurations. I've never heard of armoured ammo bins on the Spitfire. They didn't like extra weight after-all.

The only armour on the Hurricane was retro-fitted by 1st Sqn. in France.

Lightning Guy · 02-01-2005, 10:30 AM

That's kind of what I was thinking. Not only was it added weight, but it's added weight towards the end of the wings and that's not going to help maneuverability one bit. And I just don't see how protecting some .303 ammo justifies that weight.

01-29-2005, 04:51 PM	#1
Lightning Guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,512	Spitfire Armor I was recently looking at a diagram of the armor plating used on the Spitifre. It appears that the ammo boxes for the .303 machine guns were armored but no protection was given to the 20mm cannons or there ammo. Does anyone know if this is correct or why it was? __________________

01-30-2005, 04:51 AM	#2
plan_D Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 11,978	If it is true, I imagine it was because there was no room. 20mm cannons take up a lot of space, as do their ammo. __________________ "When you go home tomorrow, don't expect anyone to know what you have been through. Even if they did know, most people probably wouldn't care anyway. Some of you may get the medals you deserve, many more of you will not. But remember this, all of you are now members of the front-line club, and that is the most exclusive club in the world." - Lt. Col. Matthew Maer CO 1st Battalion, the Princess of Wale's Royal Regiment. Camp Abu Naji, Oct. 2004 To those in that club.

01-30-2005, 10:29 AM	#3
Lightning Guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,512	Perhaps, but I would think an explosion among the 20mm ammo would be a much greater threat. And would the added protection around the .303 ammo justify the added weight? __________________

01-30-2005, 10:40 AM	#4
plan_D Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 11,978	I don't know if the added protection was worth it but on the A-Wing Spitfires, all the ammo and gun would be protected so it's good then. Maybe a waste on the B and C Wing Spitfires. I was wondering, did this diagram mention anything about the E-Wings? Were the .50cals armoured? __________________ "When you go home tomorrow, don't expect anyone to know what you have been through. Even if they did know, most people probably wouldn't care anyway. Some of you may get the medals you deserve, many more of you will not. But remember this, all of you are now members of the front-line club, and that is the most exclusive club in the world." - Lt. Col. Matthew Maer CO 1st Battalion, the Princess of Wale's Royal Regiment. Camp Abu Naji, Oct. 2004 To those in that club.

01-31-2005, 10:55 AM	#6
Lightning Guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,512	It's a cutaway titled "Armor Protection." The expected areas are highlighted (windscreen, seat back, etc.) but so are the ammo boxes for the .303 mgs. __________________

01-30-2005, 09:00 PM	#5
R Pope Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 134	None of my cutaways or references mention armoured ammo boxes. Are you sure you're not misidentifying the metal boxes as armour?

01-31-2005, 12:37 PM	#7
plan_D Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 11,978	So, nothing on the E-Wing then? __________________ "When you go home tomorrow, don't expect anyone to know what you have been through. Even if they did know, most people probably wouldn't care anyway. Some of you may get the medals you deserve, many more of you will not. But remember this, all of you are now members of the front-line club, and that is the most exclusive club in the world." - Lt. Col. Matthew Maer CO 1st Battalion, the Princess of Wale's Royal Regiment. Camp Abu Naji, Oct. 2004 To those in that club.

01-31-2005, 02:18 PM	#8
Lightning Guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,512	No. It's a Mk.Vb. Is it just a bogus chart? __________________

01-31-2005, 02:31 PM	#9
the lancaster kicks ass Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 19,945	boy i'd hate to see an armour diagram for the lanc __________________ "Reminds me of the time I sank the Tirpitz" comments a Spitfire pilot, "One pass of course, old boy."

01-31-2005, 02:35 PM	#10
mosquitoman Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Saffron Walden/Sheffield Posts: 2,991	The only bit of armour in a Lanc was the pilot's headrest I think __________________ When you realise that the light at the end of the tunnel is actually an oncoming train, you know it's time to run for your life

01-31-2005, 02:45 PM	#11
the lancaster kicks ass Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 19,945	yes that is correct, the only peice of armour plating on the entire lanc that was fitted as standard was behind the headrest of the pilot............... __________________ "Reminds me of the time I sank the Tirpitz" comments a Spitfire pilot, "One pass of course, old boy."

01-31-2005, 02:47 PM	#12
mosquitoman Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Saffron Walden/Sheffield Posts: 2,991	Lucky pilot! __________________ When you realise that the light at the end of the tunnel is actually an oncoming train, you know it's time to run for your life

01-31-2005, 06:40 PM	#13
Lightning Guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,512	I've got a chart that suggests the Lanc had a set of armored doors immediately behind the wireless operator's station. __________________

02-01-2005, 06:03 AM	#14
plan_D Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 11,978	It seems this chart is a failure. Surely, it would state all the wing configurations. I've never heard of armoured ammo bins on the Spitfire. They didn't like extra weight after-all. The only armour on the Hurricane was retro-fitted by 1st Sqn. in France. __________________ "When you go home tomorrow, don't expect anyone to know what you have been through. Even if they did know, most people probably wouldn't care anyway. Some of you may get the medals you deserve, many more of you will not. But remember this, all of you are now members of the front-line club, and that is the most exclusive club in the world." - Lt. Col. Matthew Maer CO 1st Battalion, the Princess of Wale's Royal Regiment. Camp Abu Naji, Oct. 2004 To those in that club.

02-01-2005, 10:30 AM	#15
Lightning Guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,512	That's kind of what I was thinking. Not only was it added weight, but it's added weight towards the end of the wings and that's not going to help maneuverability one bit. And I just don't see how protecting some .303 ammo justifies that weight. __________________

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