[David Ransome]

Hi Larry,

It was for storage, presumably with safety in mind they were positioned to fire outwards and away from the aircraft if accidentally detonated. Looking at photos there are no cables or firing mechanisms going to the cases and the depth of the boxes is about the same as a cartridge case.

The openings for the flare blocks were made on the production line but I think that there was an option to fit either the block or a closing panel, certainly on earlier aircraft as in your photos.

From memory the pistol itself was just a push fit into the firing tube.

Regards,

David