You think you've had a bad day......

The incident reflects why guns on a high-performance jet are perhaps a less than ideal weapon. The Vulcan is capable of firing over 6,000 shots per minute, but its magazine carries only 511 rounds—just enough for five seconds of fury.
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What is the point of 'guns' on a jet fighter anyway? Particularly one with only 511 rounds!

This is by no means the first time this has happened to a jet pilot. I don't recall the dates or details, but an unwary pilot of an F6 many years ago ran into his own rounds. The not thinking straight pilot descended after firing his rounds and flew right into them. I guess he forgot that rounds just fired are going to lose altitude. Had he climbed quickly and/or turned right or left, he'd have missed them entirely. :biggrin-new:
 
n4gix said:
What is the point of 'guns' on a jet fighter anyway? Particularly one with only 511 rounds!

This is by no means the first time this has happened to a jet pilot. I don't recall the dates or details, but an unwary pilot of an F6 many years ago ran into his own rounds. The not thinking straight pilot descended after firing his rounds and flew right into them. I guess he forgot that rounds just fired are going to lose altitude. Had he climbed quickly and/or turned right or left, he'd have missed them entirely. :biggrin-new:
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I wouldn't be surprised if he pulled out of a strafing run too late or delayed his pullup/turn required to avoid a ricochete (sp?) round. Happens every once in awhile, especially if he "bunted over" a little to hold his aim point on target on a shallow run.
 
Mike71 said:
I wouldn't be surprised if he pulled out of a strafing run too late or delayed his pullup/turn required to avoid a ricochete (sp?) round. Happens every once in awhile, especially if he "bunted over" a little to hold his aim point on target on a shallow run.
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According to sources at pprune it was a defective round, that got struck by next one coming along behind it.

Ttfn

Pete
 
Reminds me of the famous F-14 story of one being shot down by it's own AIM-7 Sparrow during testing, great read too!
 
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