beaufighter/s with 40mm cannon - Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum

brewerjerry · #1 28th August 2008, 07:07

Hi All,
Apparently 40mm cannons may have been fitted to beaufighter/s.
Does anyone know if this was a mock-up, trial or even limited unit use ?
Any serial number/s etc known?
Any known trial files at the NA/PRO ?
cheers
Jerry

Kutscha · #2 28th August 2008, 08:50

Jerry, R2055 had Vickers 'S' cannon fitted to the starboard wing and a R-R 'BH' to the port wing. R2055 was the 4th prototype.

With the mix, would say it was a trials a/c.

SteveB · #3 28th August 2008, 11:58

Jerry

At TNA there are three AAEE files in AVIA 18 on Beaufighter "gunnery trials" /767, /820 and /830.

Steve Brooking

brewerjerry · #4 28th August 2008, 23:56

Hi All,
Many thanks for the info.
cheers
jerry

hrossm · #5 29th August 2008, 09:22

According to Victor Bingham's book, which includes a photo, the installation was in the fuselage of R2055 with a Vickers 40mm in the starboard gun bay (conversion done sometime between 24/3/41 when the a/c arrived at the Aircraft Gun Mounting Establishment at Duxford and 11/July when air firing took place) and a Rolls Royce 40mm installed in the port gun bay after it was delivered on 12 August. Testing with both guns fitted was carried out in October 1941.

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