Armoured headrest DM

[HagarTheHorrible]

I think it would be beneficial to have a DM for the headrest in the 109. At the moment the benefits of not having the headrest out way the disadvantage of having it fitted. If, however, it could be demonstrated to be of some use then the decision might not be quite so clear cut. Having the headrest show impact damage that might have otherwise have resulted in pilot death might do this.

[LukeFF]

How do you know that the headrest currently doesn't have a damage model?

[Cybermat47]

How do you know that the headrest currently doesn't have a damage model?

That's a good point.

[ImPeRaToR]

IIRC the (rear) pilot armor in the 109 and 190 only protected from normal rifles rounds, not the UB or the shvak. Not sure about 20mm HE rounds but even those might be too powerful.

[Cybermat47]

IIRC the (rear) pilot armor in the 109 and 190 only protected from normal rifles rounds, not the UB or the shvak. Not sure about 20mm HE rounds but even those might be too powerful.

So we really should remove the headrest, DM or not

[Kurfurst]

IIRC the (rear) pilot armor in the 109 and 190 only protected from normal rifles rounds, not the UB or the shvak. Not sure about 20mm HE rounds but even those might be too powerful.

 

It was 10 mm in thickness, so it would definietely protect you from 7,62 mm rounds from practically any range and angle, including AP rounds. Now, the 12,7mm rounds of the UB are a bit more messy with regards of brain matter all over the cocpit, but it would still depend a lot on range and impact angle and, more importantly, what structures (fuselage, alloy bulkhead) the round would go through first. Even the 8 mm backplate was considered largely proof against 12,7 mm AP from the Browning M2, where the round would have to go through the fuselage, the alloy armor and below the fuel line in the fuel tank first.

[HagarTheHorrible]

I'm surprised that there isn't more discussion about this.  It's a major tactical element for the 109.  As it stands, having the armoured glass or armoured headrest fitted, is just a waste of a good view.  Nobody in their right mind would disadvantage themselves in such a way unless they could see a positive benefit.  Who here can put there hand on their heart and say "Gosh, wasn't it lucky I had that armoured plate fitted, if it wasn't there my head would have been taken clean off, old boy !"

 

A simple deformation or damage decal to headrest or starring to the armoured glass might suffice, at least we would then have some idea of it's efficacy, or not.