🚀 go-pugleaf

In ca.general Ron Miller <ron@fc.hp.com> wrote:
: : In article <7q51co$dsf@dfw-ixnews12.ix.netcom.com>, Merlin Dorfman
: :  
: : >   
: : >      Structural integrity is not the issue.  Explosive decompression
: : > is.  The plane probably would not crash but the danger and
: : > discomfort of decompression rules out armed resistance on board
: : > an airliner.

: You think a (say) .45 dia round hole in one or two places in the fuselage 
: equates to explosive decomp ????????   

     The first question is whether or not the bullet would penetrate the
outer skin.  A small, low-velocity bullet might not get through the
insulation between the outer skin and the cabin.  If a whole bunch of 
large-caliber, high-velocity bullets were fired, some of them
probably would.
     The second question is what size hole(s) would be made.  I see no
reason to believe they would be limited to 0.45 inches.   The bullets could 
have been tumbled, could have been slowed enough that it's not a
hyper-velocity impact situation, or for other reasons could open larger
holes.  
     The third question is what the effect of the holes would be.

: I'd be FAR more worried about it hitting hydraulics, fuels or electrical.....

     Also valid concerns, particulary if there was a large number of
bullets.  In any case, a gunfight on board an airliner could ruin your
whole day...