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Being a gun collector, I sometimes see in the RIA auction brochures (Rock Island Armory- in my State) Luftwaffe survival weapons- a Drilling, usually a 12 gauge double shotgun with a metric rifle cal. barrel-in an aluminum case, with ammo, cleaning kit, etc. Krieghoff, Sauer, other makers. It is also well know that "Fat-Boy" Goering was an avid hunter and gun collector. Where would a pilot ever find room for such a bulky item, and how would he hold it while bailing out and deploying his 'chute?? And why would he need it if bailing out over German controlled land below. Most Luftwaffe pilots carried a sidearm with extra magazines, usually Luger pistole '08- possibly a Walther P-38, both in 9mm parabellum. Can anyone shed some light on this? Thanks, HansieOn the Spitfire and Hurricane, a small bag could be wedged into the radio compartment. The Bf109 had a storage facility, again accessed via the radio hatch, for the carriage of survival equipment for desert use, which consisted of a survival and first aid pack, extra water, and a Kar98K rifle.
But I know from cutaways of aircraft that the fuselage behind the pilot was often fairly hollow
Since you bring the up mugs, did any of these aircraft carry thundermugs? Some of those missions could be pretty long....Long term, the short range resulting from the lack of tea pot was a big drawback on the Spitfire. PR versions had a "Goblin teas maid" installed. BTW Spitfires had a cup and saucer while Hurricanes had an enamel mug.
Gladiators, Defiants and Blenheims got tin cups, dented.Long term, the short range resulting from the lack of tea pot was a big drawback on the Spitfire. PR versions had a "Goblin teas maid" installed. BTW Spitfires had a cup and saucer while Hurricanes had an enamel mug.
From "Fighter Group:The 352nd "Blue-Nosed Bastards" in World War II" By Lt Col Jay A. Stout
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So, don't want to follow the flight in front of you too close then...
On a more serious note, what happens if last nights dinner decides it's time to exit?
I can tell you that the guys who have it the worst are the U-2 bro's. Way too many hours airborne, and you can't use a piddle pack...