MovieChat Forums > By Dawn's Early Light (1990) Discussion > technical question; possible plot hole; ...

technical question; possible plot hole; spoiler

posted 9 years ago by benbo-3
3 replies | jump to latest

when they're getting chased by the 3 Russian Foxbat fighters, the B52 tail gunner shoots down 1 of them, then says the remaining 2 are 5 miles away. The scene right before showed all 3 flying together, so the 1 shot down was also 5 miles away. Could 1 cannon on a 52, even computer-controlled, shoot down something from 5 miles out? I remember hearing that even fighters use their missiles for anything > a mile, and their cannons for anything closer. Surely a fighter's cannon would be more accurate engaging at close distances. Any1 know if it's possible for a 52 to shoot down a fast Foxbat, with 1990 technology?

[–] rqwss 9 years ago

Could 1 cannon on a 52, even computer-controlled, shoot down something from 5 miles out?

No. B-52H had an M61 Vulcan cannon in the tail. Effective range "several thousand yards"
http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/equip/m61.htm

[–] benbo-3 9 years ago

Could 1 cannon on a 52, even computer-controlled, shoot down something from 5 miles out?

No. B-52H had an M61 Vulcan cannon in the tail. Effective range "several thousand yards"
http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/equip/m61.htm

Well, a mile = 1,760 yards so technically 5 miles = 8,800 yards, within 'several thousand'. But seeing how the plane was juking & diving, and it was so far, let's consider this an official plot hole.

[–] NOTACLERK1 9 years ago

The Mig- 25 as stated by the co pilot...does not have a cannon. Only missles. This is also verified by U.S. Na y Pilots on the Discovery channel. The Foxbat was meant to get High and fast to launch its missles at U.S. Bombers.... also the cannon on the Bomber would be firing backward..and the migs flying toward the Bullets ..but their maneuvering is why he only hit one.