AAs the RAF's Hurricanes and Spitfires turned Hitler's bomber fleets back over the English Channel in 1940, it became evident that the standard British fighter armament of eight 0.303in (7.7mm) guns was inadequate against modern bombers. Armour protection and self-sealing fuel tanks made the German aircraft tough targets requiring a large number of hits - or just a few lucky shots - to bring down. The range of the 0.303in Browning machine gun also brought the fighter uncomfortably close to the target. A weapon of greater range and heavier punch was needed. The cannon was the answer, but while a handful of Spitfire Mk IB fighters armed with 20mm Hispano cannon entered service during the Battle of Britain, there were no cannon Hurricanes.
展开▼
