"Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired" wrote in message
news:cdOTe.9805$dm.6970@lakeread03...

Forgetting turbulence following the B-17 the bullet would still have a
muzzle velocity of 900 FPS, assuming a military load. 50 yards is 50 yards
and the Me109 would still be hit assuming proper aim. Whether it does much
more than penetrate the canopy I don't know. Put the trailing turbulence
back into the scenario and all bets are off.

Remember, the ME-109 is not following the B-17. It is crossing behind the
B-17 at 90° and is fifty yards behind the bomber at the moment their flight
paths cross. The bullet comes out of the muzzle with a velocity of 820 fps
relative to the pistol. The pistol however, is traveling 820 fps in the
opposite direction relative to the ME-109. Therefore the bullet has zero
velocity toward the ME-109 and drops straight down due to gravity.

Rich S.