In 1937 Sir Hugh Dowding, Air Officer Commanding of Fighter Command, again drew attention to the possible usefulness of guns installed at the no-allowance angle. (set to fire forward and upwards). In response, the Armaments Branch reviewed the concept. Its conclusion was that, at the increased speeds of the new monoplane fighters, the elevation of the guns required to enter the ?no-allowance? condition had greatly decreased and that for all practical purposes, the method blended in to conventional gunnery. The first draft of the new fighter specification F18/37 still demanded guns that could be adjusted for no-allowance shooting, ?i.e. from 0? to 15? elevation?. But this provision was dropped before the specification was officially issued.The concept still wasn't dead yet. Gloster received a specification F9/37 for a twin-engined fighter, with nose cannon installed at the no-allowance angle of 15? and built this prototype.
by tornado (2008-05-07 02:25:50)
by tornado (2008-05-07 02:25:50)
