Cannon Armed F6F

[beau32]

Never new they had one. Thought I would share.

[Soulyss]

This comes up periodically, it's a bit of an interesting subject.  A couple of the F6F5N's used the mixed armament operationally but they seem to be the exception rather than the rule.  Many of the F6F-5's were designed at the factory to carry either armament package, but near as anyone can figure none were flown that way in daytime operations.

[zoozoo]

red X's FTW

[Saxman]

And here we go again....

[AWwrgwy]

We didn't search, did we?


wrongway

[oakranger]

If we get it, perk it.

[Ack-Ack]

"Cannon armed F6F-5" threads are starting to become so regular that you can set your clock to it.  At least he didn't ask for the B-29.


ack-ack

[humble]

The simple reality is that 20mm armed F6F's served on almost every fleet carrier in the PAC by 1945. Both in the N's and the P's (all of which were delivered with 20mm from factory). However this was normally only a few birds per Squadron and it was not uncommon for the 20mm to be removed (maybe even more common) due to logistical issues (mostly the links for 20mm rounds). In US service the only possible time the 2x20mm configuration might have seen combat is VOF-1 in France 1944. There are pics of 20mm armed VOF-1 F6F-5Ps but I do not believe they are clearly date identified. VOF-1 did not fly the F6F in the PAC and was originally in F6F-3's state side. No record of a full conversion to the -5 exists so its possible that just a few -5P's (or none) were used.

The F6F-5 was used extensively in Royal Navy service (900 or so), I have read conflicting accounts on 20mm use there but never seen pics of the 20mm armed birds (I have seen 6 x .50).

To me this is another example of the "acceptability police". It would not be suitable to use the 2 x 20mm configuration in a scenario or FSO but the F6F-5 was factory configured to accept the 20mm option and every -5 could be so converted in just a few hours if needed/wanted.

This is pretty typical 1944 breakdown...(10/24/44)
VF-11—LCDR E. G. Fairfax
11 F6F-3
2 F6F-3N
1 F6F-3P
21 F6F-5
2 F6F-5N
3 F6F-5P

The 2 5Ns and 3 5P's were built and delivered to the fleet as 2 x 20mm.

[Corrs]

[Angus]

So in short, historical, easily possible for AH, and probably a little perk tag.

[caldera]

As far as availability of 20mm links, the c-hog kinda sorta mighta used them. Or were they only flown by the Marines?

[humble]

I was looking for clarification on the marine use of 20mm equipped F6f-5's for CAS ( I do know they did use the configuration to a degree) but found something interesting. The marines were using cannon equipped F4U-4's for CAS

This is the generic statement on page 64 of the linked document...

Weapons developers struggled to develop aircraft-mounted 37mm and 75mm cannons during the war but these large and heavy weapons were not practical for smaller CAS aircraft. A suitable compromise was the 20mm cannon whose heavier projectile and much higher muzzle velocity provided improved effects against harder targets. Although its rate of fire waslower than the .50 caliber, it was readily available and provided enough improvement to justify employment./i]

The introductionof the F4U Corsair (particularly the F4U-4 version in early 1945, figure 20) by theMarines was a large step in the right direction because of its ability to carry a largerpayload over a longer distance at much higher airspeeds. With the F4U-4, the first 20-millimeter (mm) cannons were installed on a Marine fighter aircraft./i]

http://stinet.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=A367789&Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf

From page 374 of victory and occupation (another marine document)
Some overwhelming statistics appeared
in the course of the Okinawa air
operations . For example, while flyin g
118,982 hours and 38,192 sorties, TA F
pilots expended 4,102,559 rounds of .50
caliber ammunition and 445,748 rounds
of 20mm. In addition, the flyers released
499 tons of napalm, 4,161 tons of bombs ,
and 15,691 rockets . 3o/i]

Paragraph above is specific to marine F6F-5N's but follow up paragraph is entire TAF (tactical air force?)

[Yeager]

Rather than add the damned things, take some of the 4x20 birds out.  Either that or reduce the overall lethality in the MAs.  Warbirds was so much fun because even a damaged ride could still put up a fight.  In AH one good zap and the sortie is over.  That fact promotes alot of ahem......."extending" 

[haasehole]

      what about the P-51's the british had 3 sets of 20's ?

[LLogann]

You know what would be a nice addition?  The Super Fortress......  Just a thought...............   

"Cannon armed F6F-5" threads are starting to become so regular that you can set your clock to it.  At least he didn't ask for the B-29.


ack-ack