Any proof F8F Bearcat used M3 Brownings?

[GrauGeist]

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.

 

[Gripe]

Thank you very much Rdriscoll! You made my day

 

[Gripe]

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.

 

[rdriscoll]

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

 

[CharlesBronson]

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

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.

 

[_PabloSniper_]

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.