Any proof F8F Bearcat used M3 Brownings?

• Oct 16, 2014

• #21

GrauGeist

Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung

29,854

25,650

Aug 29, 2008

Redding, California

www.netallurgy.com

Also when looking for information regarding the M3 .50 used in aircraft, use the U.S. Bureau of Ordnance terms: AN/M3 and/or T25E3. T25, T25E1 and T25E2 were the predecessors and reworked until the T25E3 model, which went into production in mid-late 1945.

 

• Oct 18, 2014

• #22

G

Gripe

Recruit

5

1

Sep 16, 2014

Thank you very much Rdriscoll! You made my day

 

• Oct 18, 2014

• #23

G

Gripe

Recruit

5

1

Sep 16, 2014

Yeah, the production names are useful, i've been using those. The AN/M3 term unfortunately is, i think, what has caused much of the confusion out there. Anyway, my understanding is that the production of the M3 was stopped right after the war, with only 3000 or so built. They continued production at the onset of Korea, but in the meantime no new guns were made. I've tried chasing down information on how guns were handled if a plane was dismantled etc to get an idea where those 3000 ended up, but there is very little specific info out there online.

 

• Jan 9, 2016

• #24

R

rdriscoll

Airman

21

12

Jan 24, 2009

Central Florida

AN 01-85FD-2 Erection and Maintenance Handbook for F8F-1, -1b, -1N, F8F-2, 2N airplanes

 

• Jan 12, 2016

• #25

CharlesBronson

Senior Master Sergeant

3,568

89

Jan 11, 2005

Cordoba - Argentina

rdriscoll said:

AN 01-85FD-2 Erection and Maintenance Handbook for F8F-1, -1b, -1N, F8F-2, 2N airplanes

Click to expand...

Thanks for the handbook, is funny how the word "erection" was widely used for technical publication in those days.
And answering another, earlier post, the T60 guns were never operationally used by any plane.

 

• Oct 11, 2024

• #26

_PabloSniper_

Airman

65

83

Sep 25, 2024

I found another source saying they were M3.
And honestly, how easy it would be to do a field modification from M2 to M3.
I doubt it has ever been done.