From: Norman Bassett, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
My uncle told me about seeing an Arab in Cairo's
market during WW2 ricochetting downloaded .32 revolver
bullets off the greased palm of his hand into a wad of
old cloth for a few ackers from the onlookers. NOW,
before you jump down my throat, it was very well
downloaded and the bullets were being re-used. Also
his palm was callussed from this activity. BUT that's
what he was doing.
My uncle did some experiments with bodies when they
became available. After rigor mortis had stopped a
greased human thigh would not be penetrated by bullets
on the outer third of the thigh on both sides, the
bullets were pushing the greased flesh aside. Rifle
bullets always left a "blood-blister" mark, pistols
didn't - these were standard loads. Consulting with
the local military hospital, about 25% of the wounds
were flesh wounds which, technically speaking at
least, could have been avoided by greasing the body.
In fact warriors at various times have greased/oiled
their bodies to stop themselves being gripped by
opponents. The problem is the practicality of doing
this under clothing. The alternative would be a
lubricated uniform which would produce this effect
without greasing the skin being necessary. Which
partially takes us back to General Haigh.
Anyone who's visited the Army Museum in Vienna will
remember the very heavy sections of armour plate with
various projectile marks in it and some embedded
projectiles too.
I'm more inclined to believe that the sloping of
armour as one of the "Christie" tank-design principles
was to encourage ricochets, though I admit it would
give the missile more armour to get through were it to
continue travelling into it.
I'll enquire with DERA about greasing armour plate, as
suggested, and let you know.
Regards
Norman Bassett
drakenfels.org
Cybershooters website: http://www.cybershooters.org
List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
___________________________________________________________
T O P I C A The Email You Want. http://www.topica.com/t/16
Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics
