Originally posted by Kev367th
Thanks Dan.
Reading that forum came up with a few questions-
AH Spit 5 - Could have option for 4x303 and 2x20 or 2x50 and 2x20 as per the mk9. Could also add 4x20 option.
AH Spit 9 - Could have 4x20 option added.
One thing or did I misunderstand -
There was an option for 4x20 AND 2x50 on the Spit9 and later 'e' wing?
The Spit V never carried 50 cals outside of a specially modified high alt Vb that was done locally in the Med to chase Ju86Ps as they did their high alt recon runs. That Spit had 1 50 cal in each wing if I remember right.
Generally it was 8 303, 2 20mm and 4 303, or 4 20mm for the Spit V
Spit IX had 2 20mm and 4 303, 2 50 cal and 2 20mm or 4 20mm.
That being said, there seems to be no indication of any operational use of 4 20mm with the Spit IX. I've seen an image of an Aussie flown Spit VIII with 4 20mm, but it wasn't done in squadron strength, just a special for chasing Dinahs
I have seen a number of photos of Spit Vs with 4 20mm. 2 Squadron SAAF used them a lot well into 45 in the ground attack role. This was in the Med and they also had the large Volks filter under the nose so it must have been one slow Spit
As for the E wing. I think they finally decided the best compromise of hitting power came with the 2 20mm and 2 50 cals. I also think it was because they added the hardpoint on the wing for bombs or rockets as well so having the guns outboard of this was not a good idea in terms of strength of the wing.
They'd been having problems with IXs modified for divebombing having the wings fold up if the bomb didn't come off. The E wing was stronger then the Universal or C Wing to carry the added bombs or rockets.
Dan/Slack
