And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Looks like the decking for the position has a short rim. Given the air speed they would be flying at, any brass on the outer skin would be blown and rolled off almost immediately. Not a problem.
Aggie you are spot on about the leaking hydrogen. The zeppelins had vertical exhaust vents to remove the hydrogen that leaks from the gas bags. So firing the guns would be a hazard, but the incendiary bullets from an attacking warplane would be much worse.
Although hydrogen has a very wide LEL (4%) to UEL (75%) is also has a very fast dissipation rate due to it's small molecular size and fast movement. It's not like gasoline vapor that seems to hang around and cause trouble but it more flock of birds fleeing a loud noise. This is perhaps its only mitigating characteristic.
Please take note of the deck surface under the gun mounts. I am guessing that someone had a bit better perception about hot brass and put a hard surface down.
The outer skin was doped with nitro-cellulose lacquer which is highly flammable, nitro-cellulose is also used to make explosives such as gun-cotton. There was enough room for a fit man to move between the gas bag and the outer skin of a Zeppelin due to the width of the skeleton frame. The accident investigation reports, both US and German, both concluded the outer skin's flammability doomed the Hindenburg. Al_in_Ottawa
Makes you wonder what hot brass by the thousand does for a canvas zepplin skin containing hydrogen.
ReplyDeleteLooks like the decking for the position has a short rim. Given the air speed they would be flying at, any brass on the outer skin would be blown and rolled off almost immediately. Not a problem.
DeleteIIRC, the hydrogen was contained in internal bags, so it should be safe from the brass.
ReplyDeleteHow about from the canvas when it catches fire from the hot brass?
DeleteAggie you are spot on about the leaking hydrogen. The zeppelins had vertical exhaust vents to remove the hydrogen that leaks from the gas bags.
ReplyDeleteSo firing the guns would be a hazard, but the incendiary bullets from an attacking warplane would be much worse.
Although hydrogen has a very wide LEL (4%) to UEL (75%) is also has a very fast dissipation rate due to it's small molecular size and fast movement. It's not like gasoline vapor that seems to hang around and cause trouble but it more flock of birds fleeing a loud noise. This is perhaps its only mitigating characteristic.
ReplyDeletePlease take note of the deck surface under the gun mounts. I am guessing that someone had a bit better perception about hot brass and put a hard surface down.
ReplyDeleteThe outer skin was doped with nitro-cellulose lacquer which is highly flammable, nitro-cellulose is also used to make explosives such as gun-cotton. There was enough room for a fit man to move between the gas bag and the outer skin of a Zeppelin due to the width of the skeleton frame. The accident investigation reports, both US and German, both concluded the outer skin's flammability doomed the Hindenburg.
DeleteAl_in_Ottawa
OSHA, please pick up the white courtesy phone.
ReplyDeleteNot only the machine guns but is that not a mortar at the apex. It has a 360° floor where the mg's appear to have a limited field.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a third tripod without a MG mounted.
Delete