Picture of the day. (22 Viewers)

[N4521U]

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.

Exactly what I was after........ for general knowledge only. Thanks for that.

 

[Wildcat]

A19-11 of 30sqnRAAF heavily damaged during Japanese air raid on Wards airstrip, New Guinea 12 April 1943.

 

[Flightpath]

A19-11 of 30sqnRAAF heavily damaged during Japanese air raid on Wards airstrip, New Guinea 12 April 1943.

On April 12, 1943, this Beaufighter (A19-11) was damaged on the ground at Wards Drome, when a Japanese bomb bounced off the rear of the right wing before exploding. Afterwards, this aircraft was used for spare parts, and transfered to 15 ARD for conversion to components on May 30, 1943.

 

[michaelmaltby]

Norwegians training on Curtis P-36 Hawks at 'Little Norway' in Toronto - Island AP

 

[Milosh]

Canadians ... signing up

Looks like pay parade. Paper money on the table and an armed guard.

 

[Milosh]

Panther dug in, Berlin 1945

 

[vikingBerserker]

They have been a wee bit busy.

 

[Airframes]

Not a Tiger, or a tank.
It's a Panther turret pillbox, utilising an early Panther Ausf. D turret. These were constructed using the turret on a box-like structure, which was then sited and dug in at strategic points such as cross roads, bridges, cuttings and other choke points, to act as an anti-tank gun. Note the lack of commander's cupola and hatch, which was not required for the static location.

 

[Njaco]

Anti-Submarine Weapons: A Royal Air Force Liberator illuminated by a Leigh Light on the airfield at St Eval.

 

[Aaron Brooks Wolters]

That's BRIGHT!
Excellent material folks, keep it coming!

 

[syscom3]

Infantrymen firing mortars ( holding their ears as they do) after crossing the Rhine, Germany, 1945.

 

[syscom3]

Come on you lurkers (you know who you are), post some pictures!

 

[Milosh]

Another panther turret. Note the copula laying next to it.

 

[GrauGeist]

Pictured is an Avro Lancaster of No. 1 Group, Bomber Command, silhouetted against flares, smoke and explosions during the attack on Hamburg, Germany, by aircraft of Nos. 1, 5 and 8 Groups on the night of 30 January 1943.

 

[v2]

...

 

[Airframes]

Ouch!
It's a KG30 Ju88A-4 - any info on where, when etc, Dominik?

 

[michaelmaltby]

Aircrew training on Bristol Bollingbrookes

 

[vikingBerserker]

Great pics!

 

[Airframes]

The one with the mortar team looked like they were all on their mobile phones - but of course they weren't invented then. But the I/C mortar is talking to the FCO by the look of it.

 

[GrauGeist]

Ouch!
It's a KG30 Ju88A-4 - any info on where, when etc, Dominik?

Terry, there's actually two photos of this crash, here's the other:

The info on this Ju88A-4 is that it was attached to 6./II.KG30, (WkNmr 0881777) 4D+IP and the crew had bailed out successfully near Rovaniemi, Finland as the aircraft was running ran out of fuel due to a navigational error. The Ju88 continued on for a ways, eventually crashing at Jänkisjärvi, Sweden on 28 August 1942.