On 12 Aug 2003, Chris Mark wrote:

-snips-

Whatever makes the bigger hole. twentymikemike presumably. But the .50 was
adequate, when used correctly and with sufficient volume, to deal with most of
the tanks of WW2/korea era.

I shouldn't think so - top armor on a T34/85 was 20mm which is just about
at the maximum penetration of an AP .50 caliber round at 300 yards.

But of course, maximum penetration is calculated with a 90 degree
impact - something a strafing aircraft is unlikely to achieve -
anything over 45 degrees is unlikely and something below 30 degrees
more typical.

Cheers and all,