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N4521U said:
What was the sighting distance?
Was ther more than a single bullseye?
Click to expand...

Not sure of all that but it looks like they set the targets at a set distance from the aircraft and each gun has it's own target to be set up on. It looks like a fairly early Spitfire as it has eight .303 Brownings and no 20mm cannon. (also a single radiator and oil cooler under the wings).

Notice the plumbob under tha centre of the aircraft and (maybe) the pilot with his Irvine jacket sitting on the wing watching over things.
 
Another factory photo...... Sunderlands..............

SunderlandFactory1_zps7d880062.jpg
 
Last edited:
Flightpath said:
Not sure of all that but it looks like they set the targets at a set distance from the aircraft and each gun has it's own target to be set up on. It looks like a fairly early Spitfire as it has eight .303 Brownings and no 20mm cannon. (also a single radiator and oil cooler under the wings).

Notice the plumbob under tha centre of the aircraft and (maybe) the pilot with his Irvine jacket sitting on the wing watching over things.
Click to expand...

It's a Spitfire Mk1a of 65 Sqn in early 1940, possibly at Hornchurch in February, when Official and Press photographers did a 'photo shoot'.
At that time, the 'official' harmonization range for guns was 250 yards, although some experienced pilots of rank higher than, say, Flying Officer, had their guns harmonized at shorter ranges, which, eventually, became 'official'.
A bore sight was used on each gun, which was then aligned and adjusted onto the centre of the cross on the target discs on the hangar doors, which were positioned to correspond with the equivalent desired range at the required angle. Note the lower target disc, which would be used for the next outboard gun, or guns, depending on how many discs were used per wing and per pair of guns.
The guns would then be adjusted to give a concentrated spread of fire across the approximate wingspan represented by the positioning of the discs, with the mpi on the centerline between the pairs of discs on either side, representing the fuselage area of the target aircraft, with the area of the 'spread' being set by requirements. This could be by experience or preference, but within the official guidelines of the period and, on average, would concentrate strikes within an area approximately five to fifteen feet across for all eight guns, allowing for convergeance and subsequent 'cross over' spread.
This could allow for a 'hosing' effect, probably the most common, given gunnery skills of the average pilot at that time, or for a concentrated, tight pattern at the convergeance point.
 
N4521U said:
What was the sighting distance?
Was ther more than a single bullseye?
Click to expand...

Bill, I always thought they set them up according to what the pilot wanted as far as distance. But I could be very wrong you see, I have been in the past on occasion. And if I had read Terry's post, you wouldn't have to read this mindless dribble.:lol:
 
Last edited:
"The Aerodrome of Democracy" .... Brandon, Manitoba, one of Canada's many Commonwealth Air Training Plan bases (1939-45)
 

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