Historic Spitfire Mk1/1a loadout

[Skoshi Tiger]

Originally Posted by Moggy

If memory serves (and I admit I could be wrong), the Mk.VII was the American produced version of the Mk.VI and this was adopted because it slimlined the production methods. I believe it was being produced in 1940 but again this is off the top of my head and I could well be wrong.

As you said the US adopted a very similar design for their .30 and 50 incendiary rounds, it didn't have the brass screw in the base like B.Mk VI round. This simpler design was copied by the British as the B.MK VII.

I didn't think it was as early as 1940 so I'ld be interested to see a reference to it.

For that '42 date I was going from wiki (dangerous I know)

"These rounds were extensively developed over the years and saw several Mark numbers. The last tracer round introduced into British service was the G Mark 8 in 1945, the last armour-piercing round was the W Mark 1Z in 1945, and the last incendiary round was the B Mark 7 in 1942. Explosive bullets were not produced in the UK after 1933 due to the relatively small amount of explosive that could be contained in the bullet, limiting their effectiveness, their role being successfully fulfilled by the use of Mark 6 and 7 incendiary bullets."

I wonder if the US were supplying the simplified projectiles under lend lease before they were given a designation by the British?

Cheers!