Couldn't the RAF have used the 20mm cannons that had been in downed 109/110 aircraft in the Hurricane and Spitfire during the Battle of Britain? Would they fit? Would they have the ammuntion? Thanks.
No,19 Squadron were flying Hispano cannon in their Spitfire Ibs. The aircraft were TOC by the unit in June 1940 and first used in combat in August. With an already developed home grown solution there was no operational need to interrupt/delay replacement aircraft by modding them on the hoof to accept captured ordinance. Even the Anson had been adhoc modified to include a belly firing cannon. Ross
I would think it would be pretty difficult. They would have to mount them in the wings and wing mounted guns are pretty prone to jamming when the feed systems flex unless all the bugs are worked out. Then you'd have to figure out how to cock or charge them and also get the sights right. The German FF cannon used different ammo then the British Hispo so you wouldn't have much ammo to practice with. Just my thoughts, but I like the topic.
Just out of interest, they were fitting 40mm cannon onto Hurricanes in the desert by 1942 Shandur 1942 - Google Search TD edited to add Some useful info on how the 40mm's were used - They Spread Their Wings
I suppose they would have had to put the wing faring in like they did in later Marks for it to work properly.
