Author Topic: Question re SpitfireIX cannon position. (Read 323 times)

Squire · « **on:** August 23, 2002, 05:22:28 AM »

I was wondering if the "C" wing Spitfire IXs ever had the 20mm cannon in the outboard position? I see almost all of the "C" model pics with them in the inboard, but was just curious. Also if they did, why.

I understand the 4 x 20mm was never used operationally on the IXs either, although I saw a few VIIIs with 4 x 20mm in the RAAFs Darwin Wing.

Regards

Pongo · « **Reply #1 on:** August 24, 2002, 01:42:18 AM »

No the c wing has them in the inner position.
as for "ever"...ever is a big word.
I would like to see scans of a ww2 spit viii with 4 hispanos....
if you have one..

SKurj · « **Reply #2 on:** August 24, 2002, 09:10:52 AM »

i have a photo as well of a 4 cannon mk VIII.. its also one with the extended wingtips for hi alt work.

From the book:

Spitfire! A complete fighting history, by Alfred Price.

Its an Aussie spit too

SKurj

whgates3 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 24, 2002, 09:34:23 AM »

i know some of the Spits on Malta were armed 4 x 20mm, but i think they were Spit Vs

Pongo · « **Reply #4 on:** August 24, 2002, 01:35:51 PM »

4 cannon spit V were sent to the med alot. and used right through the italian campaign. Scan that spit viii shot....

mw · « **Reply #5 on:** August 24, 2002, 03:37:34 PM »

Pongo:

Originally posted in this thread.

Pongo · « **Reply #6 on:** August 24, 2002, 11:42:22 PM »

Thanks for the reminder, wonder if it was used in service...
I just found a pic of a Vc with the cannons in the outer spots squire..
on page 152 of Spitfire the history..
It is identified as a Vb but it has the 4 cannon spots..

BenDover · « **Reply #7 on:** August 25, 2002, 08:52:16 AM »

if i remember right (big if btw)

The 20mm was on the inboard when using 4 303s
And outboard when using 50 cals

or was it the other way round:cool:

Squire · « **Reply #8 on:** August 25, 2002, 05:47:32 PM »

Bendover, they were not iterchangeable, the E wing had .50s inboard and 20mm cannon outboard (always). The C wing had (usually) 2 20mm inboard and the 4 .303s (in their standard positions).

The 20mm "could" be set outboard on the C wing, in the usually empty spot, but I was wondering if they ever used it in that position on the IXC.

Regards.

Pongo · « **Reply #9 on:** August 25, 2002, 07:32:18 PM »

As that spit viii picture shows, anything possible was probably done somewhere, sometime