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File D 72.2 / 47

AIR SERVICE INFORMATION CIRCULAR

(AVIATION)

PUBLISHED BY THE CHIEF OF AIR SERVICE, WASHING_:rON, D. C.

Vol. III April 30, 1921 No. 215

REPORT OF GROUND TEST OF BALDWIN

3 7-MILLIMETER CANNON MOUNTED
ON DH-4 FUSELAGE
( ARMAMENT SECTION REPORT)

Prepared by Engineering Division, Air Service

McCook Field, January 25, 1921

Ralph Brown Draughon

LIBRARY

MAR 2 8 2013
Non•Depoitory
Auburn University

WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1921
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REPORT OF GROUND TEST OF BALDWIN 37-_MILLIMETER
CANNON MOUNTED ON DH-4 FUSELAGE.

OBJECT OF TEST. fired. To determine the effect of continued firing on the

To determine the effect of firing the 37-millimeter fuselager 25 rounds were fired with the above installation.
Baldwin cannon from a ring mount placed on the rear The installation was then reversed so the stresses were
observer's cockpit of a DH.::.:.ot· airplane. applied in the opposite direction and 25 more rounds were
·fired .
DATE AND PLACE OF TEST. Upon completion of the above tests the tail of the fuselage
The . test was conducted at McCook Field, Dayton, was tied to hold the fu selage more rigidly and about 25
Ohio, during December, 1920. more rounds were fired.

DESCRIPTION OF APPARATUS. RESULTS.

The cannon used was a Baldwin 37-millimeter . semi- The force of recoil of the cannon caused the tail of the
flexible automatic airplane cannon having a recoil of fuselage to swing about 2 feet when each shot was fired.
approximately 700 pounds. It was mounted on a type A close inspection of the fuselage did not disclose any
"A" cannon ring mount base and fastened in firing posi- failure or overstrain in any part of the fuselage. Upon
tion on the ring. The ring mount was screwed to a plywood firing the fifth round ith the tail tied the mounting yoke
plate of one-half inch thickness which was fastened to the broke and the test was suspended until a new yoke coul d
fuselage at the observer 's cockpit by sere s. The fuselage be mounted. The fuselage was not damaged by this firing .
was supported as shown in figs. 1 and 2 so the rear part of
CONCLU~IONS.
the fuselage was free to swing. ·
From the i:esults of this test it is safe to assume that the
PROCEDURE.
DH-4 fuselage will withstand the force due to firing the
Three reduced charges were fired, followed by a close Baldwin 37-millimeter cannon from it ·in the air under
inspection of the fuselage, after which four full charges were normal flying conditions.
4145S-21 (3)

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F IG. 7.