Good Day
I recently retrieved a picture I took years ago at the FAA Museum. It shows a stencil with “REMOVE TAPE BEFORE FIRING”.
Personally I always thought the red tape would protect the fighters gun ports both on the ground and in the air, and the first firing shot would tore it apart. This placard seems to explain it differently.
Any explanations?
Thanks!
By: pogno - 5th February 2024 at 15:01
Ooops, should be David Morris, and its a brilliant book about the incredible conservation of an unbelievably unmolested survivor.
By: pogno - 5th February 2024 at 14:54
This subject is referred to in the book about this aircraft by Davis Morris, pge 75. There it says the reason for removing the tape was that back pressure could possibly damage the guns but does go on to say that not everyone believed that and operational Corsairs were often seen with taped gun ports. The same wording appears near the cartridge apertures, believed for the same reason.
By: adrian_gray - 5th February 2024 at 12:06
Intriguing! I can only think that there was a heavier grade tape applied at some point, perhaps when at sea to keep the gun ports dry, but it must have been tough old stuff to need to be removed before whacking a .50 call through it.
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February 5, 2024 at 10:32 am