18.01.2008, 09:39
The P-51D/K seems to be taken as the standard introduction of the gyro gunsight in Mustangs. However, it is IMHO a safe bet that the installation would have been backdated to available aircraft assuming Ferranti could have kept production up with demand. There are pics of Hurricanes with gyro gunsights, for instance (see below). I think your problem is 'where do we draw the line?'
Of no use whatsoever in a Mustang III gyro gunsight debate, but maybe of use in further projects with other aircraft (most of the gyro stuff is on the second page):-
WWII RAF gunsights - fascinating for an Il-2 modder. Well illustrated.
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... a995b05dce
To back up Trooper's post with a source:-
http://home.att.net/~jbaugher1/p51_10.html
"The P-51D/K introduced the K-14 computing gyro gunsight, based on a British (Ferranti) design. When it first appeared, it was considered almost miraculous. The pilot needed only to dial in the wingspan of the enemy aircraft he was chasing and then feed in the target range by turning a handgrip on the throttle lever. Everthing was then done by an analog computer. All that the pilot had to do then was to get the wingtips of his target lined up on the bright ring projected on the gunsight, and press the trigger. The K-14 was fitted almost from the start of P-51D production, the P-51K receiving this sight from mid-1944. This sight played a major role in the P-51D's impressive score of aerial victories."
As above, still looking.
Of no use whatsoever in a Mustang III gyro gunsight debate, but maybe of use in further projects with other aircraft (most of the gyro stuff is on the second page):-
WWII RAF gunsights - fascinating for an Il-2 modder. Well illustrated.
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... a995b05dce
To back up Trooper's post with a source:-
http://home.att.net/~jbaugher1/p51_10.html
"The P-51D/K introduced the K-14 computing gyro gunsight, based on a British (Ferranti) design. When it first appeared, it was considered almost miraculous. The pilot needed only to dial in the wingspan of the enemy aircraft he was chasing and then feed in the target range by turning a handgrip on the throttle lever. Everthing was then done by an analog computer. All that the pilot had to do then was to get the wingtips of his target lined up on the bright ring projected on the gunsight, and press the trigger. The K-14 was fitted almost from the start of P-51D production, the P-51K receiving this sight from mid-1944. This sight played a major role in the P-51D's impressive score of aerial victories."
As above, still looking.