Recognition: Army Air Forces Ground Observer Corps - Identification of Aircraft - V: Fuselage

CHAPTER V: FUSELAGE

SECTION I. Shape and Size of Fuselage 

66. The fuselage extends from the nose to the very rear end of the plane. Its contour is broken by one or more cockpits, and sometimes by machine gun turrets, or blisters, and by air-scoops (air intakes).

67. The size and shape of the fuselage reflect the function of the plane, in respects already discussed; i. e., typically the fighter is compact and streamlined, the bomber long and thin, the transport long, thick, and deep. And, of course, there is the easily recognizable fuselage of the "flying boat."

SECTION II THE NOSE

68. The effect of the engine upon the shape of the nose has already been noted. If seen from the side or underneath, observation of the following additional characteristics of the nose will be helpful.

SECTION III COCKPITS, GUN TURRETS, AND AIR-SCOOPS

69. A fighter plane usually has one small cockpit. Behind it there may be panels to give additional visibility to the rear. In a bomber, there will be at least two cockpits, one in the nose for the bombardier, possibly a third aft of the pilot for gunners. Observation planes will have one or more large cockpits, sometimes open.

70. Gun turrets (as well as cockpits) break the contour of bomber fuselages, like blisters, and are valuable in distinguishing bombers from transports.

71. Air-scoops may sometimes be observable, and by their location may aid in establishing identity. As examples, note the air-scoop in the nose of the P-40, and contrast the P–39 in which the air-scoop is behind the cockpit.

SECTION IV UNDER-CARRIAGE

72. The under-carriage of seaplanes (floats and pontoons) is an easy mark of identification for such planes.

73. Fixed under-carriage (landing gear) of military land planes is also valuable for identification purposes because it is rare to find such aircraft without retractable landing gear—that is, landing gear which, in flight, fold up into the wings or nacelles to reduce wind resistance.