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**44 AMP** · July 7, 2013, 01:54 PM

As a side note, according to one of my "expert" friends, the Browning .303s that filled the wings of Spitfires and Hurricanes were made by Colt, for the British. They were considered superior to the Vickers guns (a Maxim design) for use in the cramped space in a fighter's wing.

Vickers guns were used in bombers and other places where the bulkier receiver was not a concern.

This might also have been a factor in the use of cannon in British fighters from 41 on. Besides the tactical performance of cannon, the US entering the war, and Colt's shift to production for the US might have had an influence. Can't prove anything, of course, but I would imagine that with Colt running full out to supply the US, .303 Brownings from Colt probably got harder to come by.

July 7, 2013, 01:54 PM	#6
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,812	As a side note, according to one of my "expert" friends, the Browning .303s that filled the wings of Spitfires and Hurricanes were made by Colt, for the British. They were considered superior to the Vickers guns (a Maxim design) for use in the cramped space in a fighter's wing. Vickers guns were used in bombers and other places where the bulkier receiver was not a concern. This might also have been a factor in the use of cannon in British fighters from 41 on. Besides the tactical performance of cannon, the US entering the war, and Colt's shift to production for the US might have had an influence. Can't prove anything, of course, but I would imagine that with Colt running full out to supply the US, .303 Brownings from Colt probably got harder to come by. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.