Planes were generally split into three categories: scout planes, fighters, and bombers. This simple arrangement of warplanes was due to the fact that the early planes were fairly inadequate at performing multiple or complex roles.
A scout plane would provide reconnaissance for a particular region, bombers were responsible for dropping explosive payloads over enemy positions, and fighters were responsible for escorting these planes, destroying enemy planes, and patroling over friendly airspace.
By the beginning of World War II, technology and the performance of military jets had greatly improved. There were now monoplanes in place of the outdated biplanes and triplanes.
Planes were now highly pressurized during construction, and the cockpit was now covered with a glass canopy,
A scout plane would provide reconnaissance for a particular region, bombers were responsible for dropping explosive payloads over enemy positions, and fighters were responsible for escorting these planes, destroying enemy planes, and patroling over friendly airspace.
By the beginning of World War II, technology and the performance of military jets had greatly improved. There were now monoplanes in place of the outdated biplanes and triplanes.
Planes were now highly pressurized during construction, and the cockpit was now covered with a glass canopy,
protecting the pilot from the elements. Radar allowed the pilot to be wary of enemies, and radios allowed pilots to check in with their base of operations.
The airframes themselves were much more stable and much more sturdy, which meant that the planes could withstand more pressure and damage, thereby allowing the pilots to perform more advanced maneuvers.
The stable airframe and sturdy wings also allowed guns to be mounted on the wings, increasing the performance of the pilot's offensive capability. The guns themselves were now shrunk and integrated into the airframe, improving stability and accuracy.
The piston engine was improved and provided greater range, speed, and altitude for the warplanes, and unguided rockets were also being mounted on the wings.
The airframes themselves were much more stable and much more sturdy, which meant that the planes could withstand more pressure and damage, thereby allowing the pilots to perform more advanced maneuvers.
The stable airframe and sturdy wings also allowed guns to be mounted on the wings, increasing the performance of the pilot's offensive capability. The guns themselves were now shrunk and integrated into the airframe, improving stability and accuracy.
The piston engine was improved and provided greater range, speed, and altitude for the warplanes, and unguided rockets were also being mounted on the wings.
The first solution was to put guns on the top of the wings, but this resulted only in upsetting their balance.
One account describes a young pilot reloading his machine gun, for which he had to stand. As he ejected the magazine, the plane turned upside down and he found himself dangling from the already ejected magazine. He made a prayer to God, pleading to not let the clip fall, when the plane miraculously flipped right-side up. The pilot was saved, but the dangers of wing-mounted machine guns were clearly too great.
Soon, the Allies were able to design a mechanism which purpose was to stop the propeller before it rotated into the line of fire. The problem with it was that the propeller would not run until the pilot stopped firing.
As a result, a plane would fall into a nose dive if firing continued for too long.
Then, the Germans designed a mechanism that stopped the machine gun from firing if the propeller was nearing the line of fire. This allowed the pilot to fire continuously without being interrupted by performance issues (for the most part).
One account describes a young pilot reloading his machine gun, for which he had to stand. As he ejected the magazine, the plane turned upside down and he found himself dangling from the already ejected magazine. He made a prayer to God, pleading to not let the clip fall, when the plane miraculously flipped right-
Soon, the Allies were able to design a mechanism which purpose was to stop the propeller before it rotated into the line of fire. The problem with it was that the propeller would not run until the pilot stopped firing.
As a result, a plane would fall into a nose dive if firing continued for too long.
Then, the Germans designed a mechanism that stopped the machine gun from firing if the propeller was nearing the line of fire. This allowed the pilot to fire continuously without being interrupted by performance issues (for the most part).
