Pāhonoa te oro

The round struck the tank. Fuel would seep out, soaking through layers of rubber fitted inside the tank walls, and one of those layers would start to swell, pushing inward toward the bullet hole. As it expands, it presses until the opening closes, stopping the fuel from leaking out. You see, the ta…

The round struck the tank. Fuel would seep out, soaking through layers of rubber fitted inside the tank walls, and one of those layers would start to swell, pushing inward toward the bullet hole. As it expands, it presses until the opening closes, stopping the fuel from leaking out. You see, the tanks used to be metal, and when they were pierced, fuel burst into the air, becoming a mist that set the plane ablaze, so engineers chose rubber instead so it seals the gap, and the fuel remains inside.