Conversation:

... had their fuel tanks in what you'd call an ideal position: quite possibly there is no such thing.

The Spitfire's fuel tank, for example, was immediately in front of the pilot; meaning that any hits that went between the pilot and the engine were pretty much guaranteed to spray burning petrol all over the cockpit....

That is true enough.

<BB<

Well, the ideal position for the fue tank would be three miles underground in a reinforced concrete bunker guarded by heavily armed SAS... Oh well I suppose in order to avoid getting hit you had to keep your head moving, searching. Silk scarves are for more than decoration.