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Not wholly true; when Stanford Tuck had his first sheet of armoured glass fitted to his Spitfire, during Dunkirk, it stopped a round from a 110's gunner, which would have taken Tuck's head off. He was totally unscathed.As to 'bullet proof' - in the true sense of the word, no. As to affording some protection - to an extent. It might stop the full force of a projectile, but would still 'scab off'
Concerning armoured glass I have read in a few places fitting armoured glass reduced the speed of the airplane by a few MPH, which doesnt seem logical to me. Does it reduce speed and if so why. Or is it the generalk fitting of armour radios and other ancilliaries that produce this reduction.
The internal armour was designed for the cancelled Mk.III, and was fitted during the Mk.II/V production run in April 1941, not just on the Vc.Early Spitfires for one had their performance cut by adding armoured glass, as the glass was EXTERNALLY mounted. Tests showed that the armoured windscreen cost the Spitfire Mk I about 6 mph in performance.
It was fitted to the Mk I through Mk Vb. From the Mk Vc onwards, the glass was an integral part of the cockpit frame.
Armoured glass is made up of laminate glass isn't it?
So, would armoured glass be able to absorb multiple hits or is it a one hit protector I wonder?
Cheers
John
Think of auto windshield glass only much thicker and with more layers. Second hit close to first and there would be very little protection. Second hit a number of inches away (and the windscreens weren't very big) and while the glass in one or more layers may be cracked it is still there and the plastic laminate material still has to be torn. Bullet may change direction and/or turn sideways as it penetrates.
Armoured glass is made up of laminate glass isn't it?
The same sort of idea as self sealing fuel tanks, ie the round energy is absorbed by the laminate.
So, would armoured glass be able to absorb multiple hits or is it a one hit protector I wonder?
Or if the glass wasn't intended for anything more than protecting the pilot from flying debri, such as after shooting at it.
This is probably where ordinary canopy glass might fail.
I just wonder why then they stick some installations inside the canopy. I'm only guessing, but i would think it had a more significant purpose than
that.
I'm dreadfully sorry, but I can't follow your drift with this post....