Originally Posted by
flyboy2610
Somewhat along the same lines was the Japanese Zero fighters biggest weakness. American fighter planes had their fuel tanks lined with a self sealing rubber bladder. As the fuel was used up the bladder collapsed, preventing a buildup of explosive fumes in the fuel tank. The Zero did not have this. One or two good hits from incendiary ammo to a partially used tank of fuel and bye, bye Zero!
Actually, more A6Ms were lost to the pilot getting killed than a fuel tank exploding, at least until one was found, up side down and intact in Alaska. After that, the allied pilots were trained on where to aim