P-51 w/ 4 X 20mm

[Graham Boak]

Yes. The USAAF ones in North Africa/Italy. The RAF ones in Northern Europe.

[Col Ford]

The RAF Mustang Mk.1A armed with 4 x Hispano Mk..II* 20mm cannon served in front line service from June 1943 until August 1945. They served with a number of the RAF's tactical reconnaissance squadrons and were well regarded by the pilots who flew them in that role.

There is documentation from 1944 and 1945 indicating that the RAF was still interested in Mustangs, including the Merlin engined variants, to be armed with 4 x 20mm cannon. However the expediencies of quantity of production and not wishing to delay deliveries meant the 0.50in HMG armament preferred by the USAAF was accepted.

[drgondog]

Colin - there were no significant changes to the gun bays of the XP-51 through P-51B/C so if Hispanos were feasible in the earlier series it should have been an easy field mod at worst to replace 4x50's in the inboard and center gun bays, and simply remove the outboard guns.

Is there any contrary documentation to indicate why RAF didn't do this? IIRC, the RAF modified the armament for the Mustang I to include 30 cal.