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Initially, all the armament was fitted within the nose of the Macchi. Ammunition carried was up to 800 rounds (standard: 700 rounds). An additional pair of Breda 7.7 mm (.303 in) machine guns was fitted in the wings in the VII series onward, but these, along with 1,000 rounds of ammunition, added 100 kg (220 lb) to the aircraft's weight. Consequently, they were typically removed by pilots to save weight, since they were relatively ineffective against most enemy aircraft in 1942.[20] A synchronizing unit allowed the nose guns to fire through the propeller disk, but with a 25% loss in ROF (Rate of Fire).[21] A "San Giorgio" gun sight, a reflection unit, was also fitted in the cockpit.
In the Wiki page for the Macchi C.202 Folgore it says some pilots removed guns to save weight. Is there any other sources out there of other pilots doing the same thing?
Soviet pilots, as already said, often removed wing guns to lighten up their planes a little.
"...1. P-40 was "dull" in acceleration; it would accelerate quite slow. Poor acceleration dynamics resulted in the low combat speed. It was hard to obtain speed necessary for the air combat. Speed is ultimate thing for a fighter.
2. Poor vertical, especially Tomahawk.
The first and second was the result of the lack of power. What we did was simple. First drawback we removed by holding higher RPM. We always flew it with increased RPM. Second: we took (wing-installed) guns off. That was it..."
Taken from HERE
It was hard to obtain speed necessary for the air combat. Speed is ultimate thing for a fighter.
I believe the Finns and Greeks did the same thing.