RAF gunsight use in USAAF a/c - Aircraft of World War II

Kingscoy · 07-19-2008, 05:53 PM

Hello,

I have a question regarding the (regular) use of the RAF MkII reflector gunsight in USAAF P-47D's.
Does anyone know what reason could be for the use of the RAF MkII sight instead of the standard USAAF Mk8 gunsight? Of course the pilots preference but what was the technical reason....because I have quit a few photo's which shows the MkII in use, so I guess the switch was made quit frequently.

For any help many thanks.

Kind regards from Holland,
Sander

drgondog · 07-19-2008, 08:03 PM

The one ring N-3 reflector gunsights in the P-51, 47 and 38 were found to have significant error in even beam shots. 8th AF repleced them first in the P-47 with the RAF MkII, then the similar USN Mk VIII.

The P-38s, 51B's used the N-3B, then the Mk VIII or the RAF Mk II. The early 51D used the improved N-9 then all Mustangs converted to K-14 (don't recall if P-38 and P-47 did)

Kingscoy · 07-20-2008, 07:28 AM

Hello Drgondog,
Thanks for the reply. So the use of the MkII was a somewhat regular confursion. Very interesting...didn't know that.
I know that the P-47's were fitted on production with the K-14 from January 1945. During august 1944 and after the K-14 was fitted in theatre with as many a/c as possible. From veteterans pilots I heard that in the period July/ August 1944 they would try to obtain the K-14 by any means they could.

Thanks again for the reply,

Sander

07-19-2008, 05:53 PM	#1
Kingscoy Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 40	RAF gunsight use in USAAF a/c Hello, I have a question regarding the (regular) use of the RAF MkII reflector gunsight in USAAF P-47D's. Does anyone know what reason could be for the use of the RAF MkII sight instead of the standard USAAF Mk8 gunsight? Of course the pilots preference but what was the technical reason....because I have quit a few photo's which shows the MkII in use, so I guess the switch was made quit frequently. For any help many thanks. Kind regards from Holland, Sander

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07-19-2008, 08:03 PM	#2
drgondog Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: oregon Posts: 3,933	The one ring N-3 reflector gunsights in the P-51, 47 and 38 were found to have significant error in even beam shots. 8th AF repleced them first in the P-47 with the RAF MkII, then the similar USN Mk VIII. The P-38s, 51B's used the N-3B, then the Mk VIII or the RAF Mk II. The early 51D used the improved N-9 then all Mustangs converted to K-14 (don't recall if P-38 and P-47 did)

07-20-2008, 07:28 AM	#3
Kingscoy Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 40	Hello Drgondog, Thanks for the reply. So the use of the MkII was a somewhat regular confursion. Very interesting...didn't know that. I know that the P-47's were fitted on production with the K-14 from January 1945. During august 1944 and after the K-14 was fitted in theatre with as many a/c as possible. From veteterans pilots I heard that in the period July/ August 1944 they would try to obtain the K-14 by any means they could. Thanks again for the reply, Sander