Originally Posted by
izod tester
I recall reading that Capt Eric "Winkle" Brown shot down 2 FW 200 Condor whilst flying the Grumman Martlett (Wildcat) from HMS Audacity. Thus the .50 cal ammunition was effective against a large 4 engined aircraft.
Well it could be, in the right hands: there are also accounts of Ki-43s downing American heavies (from memory, early model B-17s ie without turrets) with the absurd armament (for 1941-2) of 2x 7.7mm guns! The quality of the IJAAF pilots early in the war made up for the apparent deficiencies - not just armament - of their mounts. Even the later Oscars had 1x 7.7mm gun and 1x 12.7mm...
Originally Posted by
rolling20
The idea was even toyed with 10 or 12 guns.
The Hurricane IIB entered squadron service with 12x .303s I think? Although the IIC and IID appear to have been more successful, albeit mainly air to ground.