And when they caught fire, they burned spectacularly. Just ask any Corsair or Hellcat pilot.
CC
Yep, the self-sealing fuel tank turned out to be a huge technological advantage for us.
Heh, I'm recalling a business lunch from some twenty years ago, where one of the younger guys seated at the table was speaking enthusiastically about his new car - a Mitsubishi. One of the older gentlemen in the group just sort of frowned and shook his head. Noticing my questioning expression, he explained:
"I couldn't drive one of those cars. That company built the plane that sank my destroyer!"
'Nuff said. ;-)