English Electric Canberra

The photo shows a Belt Feed Mechanism (BFM) with the lead in section of ammo track. If I remember correctly, it was neccessary to pre-load the BFM with ammo and position a length of ammo belt in the lead-in track. Then attach the BFM to the gun feed and join the short ammo belt to the main belt in the box.

The 20mm Hispano fired from an open breech block so the gun had to be 'cocked' on the ground before takeoff. There was a special 'homemade' tool that had to be inserted in a hole in the gun reciever which would prevent the gun firing if the breech block did run forward. What was that called Superplum? Safety .......?

PETERTHEEATER;159725 wrote:

The photo shows a Belt Feed Mechanism (BFM) with the lead in section of ammo track. If I remember correctly, it was neccessary to pre-load the BFM with ammo and position a length of ammo belt in the lead-in track. Then attach the BFM to the gun feed and join the short ammo belt to the main belt in the box.

The 20mm Hispano fired from an open breech block so the gun had to be 'cocked' on the ground before takeoff. There was a special 'homemade' tool that had to be inserted in a hole in the gun reciever which would prevent the gun firing if the breech block did run forward. What was that called Superplum? Safety .......?

Peter. How about a stoppage tool? It was inserted in front of the locking shoulder and stopped the locking piece from fully dropping. Also visible are the firing pigtails and the barrel cleaning rods. My pic taken on APC Akrotiri 1960. Sach.

Thanks Sach.

Stoppage Tool.....I seem to remember a different name, perhaps plumbers slang. It was painted red for visibility so that one wouldn't forget to remove it and prevent the gun from firing.... not that we ever did that:wink:

My only installation experience of 20mm was Meteor 8 during the Indonesian Confrontation.

PETERTHEEATER;159755 wrote:

Thanks Sach.

Stoppage Tool.....I seem to remember a different name, perhaps plumbers slang. It was painted red for visibility so that one wouldn't forget to remove it and prevent the gun from firing.... not that we ever did that:wink:

My only installation experience of 20mm was Meteor 8 during the Indonesian Confrontation.

Did you not do 20mm servicing/installation/loading/firing on the Meteor at Airfields? We all had a go at pulling the trigger.

PETERTHEEATER;159755 wrote:

Thanks Sach.

Stoppage Tool.....I seem to remember a different name, perhaps plumbers slang. It was painted red for visibility so that one wouldn't forget to remove it and prevent the gun from firing.... not that we ever did that:wink:

My only installation experience of 20mm was Meteor 8 during the Indonesian Confrontation.

Stoppage Tool is my recollection too (from Halton only). Round pin on a handle/bar(?) inserted as Peter says.

ancientarmourer;159758 wrote:

Did you not do 20mm servicing/installation/loading/firing on the Meteor at Airfields? We all had a go at pulling the trigger.

No, although I can't recall why.

PETERTHEEATER;159763 wrote:

No, although I can't recall why.

I guess the Hunters had replaced the Meatboxes when you did airfields.

Transition, we did 20mm but not 30mm which I learned on the job.

Not a lot of ground clearance in that picture. How was the gunpack loaded onto the Canberra ? Aircraft jacked up ? Or ramps ?

ancientarmourer;159758 wrote:

Did you not do 20mm servicing/installation/loading/firing on the Meteor at Airfields? We all had a go at pulling the trigger.

Slight tangent, but where was the range - I don't recall it ever being mentioned.