Re: "Charging guns" ?

in article dgkjfo$a6q$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Rich Rostrom at
rrostrom.21stcentury@xxxxxxx wrote on 9/18/05 1:42 PM:

> Gravel or dirt fields were common in many combat zones. A lot of the WW I
> fields were dirt; quite possibly taping over muzzles goes back to then.

Also, I have this notion (possibly picked up from something I read, but it's
been too long to say for sure) that taping over the gunports provided an
aerodynamically smoother airfoil while it was intact, i.e., less drag. This
would have resulted in slightly improved fuel efficiency and top speed. I
expect the difference would have been miniscule, but then some pilots
insisted that their aircraft be waxed for the same reason, and taping is
certainly a cheap and easy step to take.

Michael
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