RAAF Spitfire cannon - Australian Forces | Gallery

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#1

RAAF Spitfire cannon

Former Australian Prime Minister, W.M. HUGHES examines a Spitfire cannon during a visit to 1 Fighter Wing, RAAF, Darwin, NT. 1944-11-03. Next to the aircraft is Squadron Leader E.P.W. BOCOCK, an RAF Spitfire pilot.

This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://ww2incolor.com/gallery/australian-forces/36928/raaf-spitfire-cannon
#2

This shot illustrates well, the ammo feed arrangement. The Oerlikon cannon was designed with a beltless, magazine drum which in the Spitfire VB provided very little ammunition. For the VC, the ammo feed was redesigned with a motor/stripper unit replacing the magazine to pull belted rounds from the ammo box (visible just above the AWM symbol). The feed unit would then strip the rounds from the belt and present them to the gun for loading into the chamber.

#3