"BLACK CAT CANNONS" ...

[Mark Allen M]

Noticed this photo this morning. Black Cat crews were frequently experimenting with new weapons setups, trying to find the best way to do the maximum amount of damage. The unusual field installation shown below is a pair of fixed 20mm cannons mounted in the bow of a PBY-5A, during April of 1944. Note the removal of the two 30 cal. machine guns from the eyeball turret. One " black cat " squadron tried the same 75mm cannon that some B-25's used. One problem though, the PBY's light structure. The gun was fired, the shell went forward, the recoil of the gun blew it off it's mount and out the rear of the fuselage. Story came from someone who saw the whole thing! .... hmmm!

[Invader26]

Great find Mark. Re the 75mm cannon trial my father was involved in an early field trial in Australia fitting a 75mm cannon to a B-25. Same result as the Cat trial as the recoil tore the fun out of the tunnel mount and back into the bomb bay area...more work needed he said. He also worked on Pappy Gun's first .50 straffer conversions.

[Joe Scheil]

Look at that antenna array on the back!!!