Convergence tips from real RAF WW2 manual

Public IL-2 Cliffs of Dover
1

Chaps - got talking with Swoop & Charlie about harmonising guns and I remembered I had a book ‘Fighting in the Air’ which is a collection of British air combat manuals.

In a booklet from 1943 ‘Notes on Air Fighting and Gunnery’ by Wg Cdr E M Donaldson there is an interesting passage on his tips for most effective convergence settings.

He says

“I have found it most effective to harmonise the two inboard guns at say 200yds, the next pair at 225yds the next pair at 250 and so on”

He concludes with 12 guns (probably talking about Hurri IIB) that gives you a lethal density from about 175yds to 325yds.

I tried this once and seemed to shred 110s nicely, but that I think was before the last 1C and TF patches.

Anyway - thought someone might find it useful!

2

I wonder if he meant harmonizing them only horizontally or both horizontally and vertically? The latter actually makes more sense to me when I think about it, but trying both might be worth a try.

3

Think its horizontal convergence he is talking about.

The idea is instead on an ultra-lethal point at ‘X’ range where all guns converge, to have a nice spread of sufficuent density that covers ‘W-Z’ range.

No idea what you would do with vertical convergence

4

Sure that it’s interesting…
Here’s what Phil 92 Squadron think and use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTQHVZ_9iTM
He sended me his excel file and I will be happy to share with everyone of you that want it (Phil agrees).