Here's the answer to my trivia question:
Our Hueys had ceramic/composite armored seats. These seats weighed 150 pounds each, and protected pilot and copilot from .30 calibre rifle fire approaching from the rear, beneath, and sides of the aircraft.
I also wore what was called a "ballistic" helmet, which was supposed to provide some protection for my noggin.
But we were unprotected from anything fired at us from the front or from above.
Before climbing into the aircraft, I would grab my gun belt and shift it 90 degrees, so the .38 was strategically located to provide a little protection for what I considered a pretty important area at the front of my body!
I never heard of an incident where the pistol actually helped deflect a bullet, therefore insuring a pilot was able to later father a family......but to me, feeling the weight of the revolver there during the flight was reassuring.
I was glad to take comfort anywhere I could find it!
And I thought for sure I had the correct answer. Did you invent that procedure, or did you learn it from hearing about a pilot that took a round? At any rate, it's a good idea.
ReplyDeleteI didn't invent it, Dave.....
ReplyDeleteAll the pilots did it. Having the revolver at your side in that seat would have been uncomfortable, so using it as armor killed two birds.