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Aviation History
1940
1940 - 0928.PDF
292 MARCH 28, 1940 All for one : A Spitfire's eight 0.303 in. Browning guns, each capable of firing 1,200 rounds a minute, after overhaul in the armoury (below). The pilots in the group above are appraising the take-off of a flight of Spitfires on a practice interception. Below a Spitfire pilot demonstratesthe use of the reflector sight with which our fighters are fitted. fit them with remotely controlled cocking handles. The actual make-up of the belts (i.e., proportion of armour- piercing and tracer to "ordinary" ammunition) is secret, though it can, of course, be varied to suit the parti- cular requirements of Fighter Command. Empty cases and links are ejected through apertures in the bottom of the wing. Contrary to what might have been thought the empties do not damage the fabric-covered ailerons. Heating for the guns is provided by a hot-air duct from the engine. The gun compartments are made more or less air-tight until the first barst is fired by patches of fabric which cover each port. These also improve the perform- ance of the machine and decrease the chances of corrosion. After an action they are replaced, if time permits, before the next engagement. Fitters, riggers and sometimes even pilots assist in the rearming which, together with refuelling, can be completed in less than ten minutes. We were also shown the standard reflector gun sight in which the illuminated image of a ring sight is projected on to an oval mirror in front of the pilot's eyes and behind the armoured windscreen. If the pilot knows the span of his adversary he can adjust his sight "to fit" and knows immediately he is within range. Ordinary ring and bead sights are provided in case the electric supply should fail. As is now generally known the lines of fire of the eight guns converge at a set point in front of the machine and harmonise with the sight. Fighters are now going into action carrying their cine- camera guns which use 16 mm. film and prove or refute a pilot's combat report. The camera gun works only while the machine guns are firing and secures an amazingly detailed record of a combat. Sqn. Ldr. Farquhar's last engagement with an He IIIK was reproduced faithfully by his cine-camera ; it was possible to see oil spurting from The Spitfire usually flown by Wing Commander Farquhar is marked with a British lion trampling underfoot the Nazi swastika. It will be seen that two small Nazi flags are " cancelled " ,- actually the Wing Commander has accounted for three Heinkels to date.
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