Which fighters were "thick skinned?"

The P-51's wings were very fragile when it comes to thier aerodynamic properties. They were only expected to exhibit laminar flow properties through about the first 50 hours of flight time. Great care not to distort the surface was recommended.

Flyboy, my point is that the P-47 required no special care. They would have a man out on the wing, way out about 6 feet from the tip, to direct the plane into position to takeoff. When it was time for him to jump down, he'd stand up and trot over to the back of the wing root and slide off. And they were in combat boots. The P-47 is said to have had "double thick" skinning, though I've not been able to specifically confirm that it was indeed twice as thick as other US fighters. I suspect it was noticably thicker, but not twice as thick.

I think if you can nab the full version of the P-47 "in color" film you will see the flight crews doing what I've noted above.

=S=

Lunatic

[FLYBOYJ]

Originally Posted by RG_Lunatic

The P-51's wings were very fragile when it comes to thier aerodynamic properties. They were only expected to exhibit laminar flow properties through about the first 50 hours of flight time. Great care not to distort the surface was recommended.

Flyboy, my point is that the P-47 required no special care. They would have a man out on the wing, way out about 6 feet from the tip, to direct the plane into position to takeoff. When it was time for him to jump down, he'd stand up and trot over to the back of the wing root and slide off. And they were in combat boots. The P-47 is said to have had "double thick" skinning, though I've not been able to specifically confirm that it was indeed twice as thick as other US fighters. I suspect it was noticably thicker, but not twice as thick.

I think if you can nab the full version of the P-47 "in color" film you will see the flight crews doing what I've noted above.

=S=

Lunatic

Yes - I totally understand what you're saying. With the Mustang as you said with its laminar wing, I'm sure when it first entered service this was closely watched, but say by Korea, the ground pounders were probably stomping all over those wings! Sometimes maitainers are their own worse enemys!

By Korea none of the P-51's had any laminar flow at all. Under perfect condtions the characteristic could last as much as 200 flight hours, but 50 was the reasonable expectation, and many did not hold it even that long. Since the life expectancy of a fighter in combat was 20-30 hours, it was not considered an issue.

=S=

Lunatic

[FLYBOYJ]

Yep - I'm with you, I got my boots on right now!

[Soren]

And I repeat: Both the Spit, 109 and 190's wings could be walked on (Boots or not) without sustaining ANY damage AT ALL !

[KraziKanuK]

Now this is a tough wing.

[mosquitoman]

It was quite a thick wing- that's why the Tiffie was no good at altitude

[the lancaster kicks ass]

but brilliant at lower altitudes.........

but that pic with all the guys on the wing is amazing!!

[FLYBOYJ]

If you seen how wing spars are made (machined and heat treated) you'll realize that airplanes are a lot tougher than you think!

Originally Posted by Soren

And I repeat: Both the Spit, 109 and 190's wings could be walked on (Boots or not) without sustaining ANY damage AT ALL !

One picture of a guy on a spit wing, carefully posed with his weight upon the spar, is not "proof". All the FW photos are totally irrelevant, the person standing is right at the wing root, or is quite near the root and we cannot see his feet, or in the last pic he's either sitting or kneeling on the wing or he's actually on a ladder or something on the far side of the wing.

[Soren]

Originally Posted by RG_Lunatic

One picture of a guy on a spit wing, carefully posed with his weight upon the spar, is not "proof".

Originally Posted by RG_Lunatic

All the FW photos are totally irrelevant, the person standing is right at the wing root, or is quite near the root and we cannot see his feet, or in the last pic he's either sitting or kneeling on the wing or he's actually on a ladder or something on the far side of the wing.

Ladder ??!!! You must be blind !!

Oh really? Well, I am pretty sure it is you who is "blind". Take a good look Soren:



On first glance, it appears the man is sitting on the wing facing away from the camera. But on closer inspection, it appears he is facing the camera, and leaning on the wing while standing or maybe even sitting on some kind of support that is located on the far side of the wing blocked from our view.

But the point is he is clearly not standing on the wing, so it does not really matter.

[Soren]

RG it is clearly you who is the blind one, and especially because you don't even see it when enlarged !

[FLYBOYJ]

OK guys - next week I'm going to be in California, at Mojave airport and at Gillespie Airfield for an airshow (Apr. 28-May 1). Both places are a warbird environment rich. There will definitely be a Mustang at at least one these places, maybe a Spit, possibly a P-47. Because I'll be an airshow participant, I should be able to get a real close look at these aircraft, providing they are all there. I'll take pictures and let you know what I find out.

=FBJ=

Originally Posted by Soren

RG it is clearly you who is the blind one, and especially because you don't even see it when enlarged !

Soren, do you notice that there is a head right in the middle of the red circle you've drawn and marked "leg" ???