RNZAF Harvards with Wing Guns Question

[alanw]

Hi Team,

I think I know the answer to this, but would welcome
additional information
In the RNZAF Official Photo below, is Harvard NZ1095

with a gun mounted in Starboard Wing

fotoweb.airforcemuseum.co.nz/fotoweb/cache/5003/Collection/DWNZ1095_1.t60020b6d.m800.xyJepIhIt.jpg

The small bulbous item below the wing gun, I believe that to be for (at least) collection
of round links?

You can make out a similar item here on this RNZAF Official Photo,
of a FTS Harvard at Woodbourne

fotoweb.airforcemuseum.co.nz/fotoweb/cache/5003/Collection/PR2076.t5ee1843d.m800.xulQMaCT3.jpg

Thanks/regards

Alan

[davidd]

I think that many, if not most of the Harvards received by RNZAF had ONE (Browning) 0.303" MG, installed in one of the (outer) wings (and some had another installed forward of cockpit, with synchronisation gear), fitted at factory for gunnery practice. From about Feb/March 1942, the RNZAF designed and fitted a similar gun in the same relative position in opposite wing for the purpose of equipping several of the FAFAI (Forces Available For Anti-Invasion)Squadrons being set up within the structure of the Service Flying Training Schools located at Wigram, Woodbourne and Ohakea. The role of these squadrons was stated to be "Fighter-Bomber". However the concentration of these aircraft in No. 2 SFTS (Woodbourne) (and possibly some in the new Single engine OTU at Ohakea, later redesignated as No. 2 Fighter OTU) changed the arrangements considerably. How many Harvards were converted to this configuration is unknown, perhaps as many as thirty, but I think these aircraft were converted back to single-gun configuration when the invasion "flap" was over, certainly by late 1942 when such "strafers" were no longer required. Role of the "Fighter-bomber" squadrons was envisaged as strafing and bombing Japanese troops coming ashore on open beaches, as well as the barges bringing them ashore from troop ships. These Harvards would also be equipped with Light Series Bomb Carriers under mainplanes, for bombs up to 25 pounds. I doubt that a three-gun installation ever existed. Not a great deal has been published about the two wing-gun installation, but it certainly existed. A simple gun sight (similar to those used on "operational" Oxfords) was normally used with these guns; probably later they would have been equipped with a reflector sight.
David D

[Dave Homewood]

The Harvard in the second link Alan posted does not have a gun fitted but it has the bulbous fairing.

[Dave Homewood]

I checked with Bevan Dewes, who knows his WWII Harvard history well, and he confirmed that the bulge was for collecting the brass.