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Recoilless Gun, Davis, 2.5", Aero 6 Pdr MK XII (Felixstowe F5L)

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    Davis recoilless gun consisting of rifled steel tube barrel with hand grip and tiggers for firing both main round and Lewis gun, shoulder rest, and U-shaped support for post mount. Smaller diameter tube underneath serves as pivot to open barrel to load round. Chamber is locked/unlocked with handle on rotating rear tube. Lewis gun mounted on post mount above barrel, used as an aid to aiming by firing Lewis and observing bullet path.
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    The Davis gun was used to attack surfaced submarines with the largest shell fired by U.S. aircraft. The first recoilless gun, it had a counterweight that cancelled the recoil, or kick, that could damage a fragile airplane. The mounted Lewis machine gun helped aim the Davis. 

  • Davis recoilless gun consisting of rifled steel tube barrel with hand grip and tiggers for firing both main round and Lewis gun, shoulder rest, and U-shaped support for post mount. Smaller diameter tube underneath serves as pivot to open barrel to load round. Chamber is locked/unlocked with handle on rotating rear tube. Lewis gun mounted on post mount above barrel, used as an aid to aiming by firing Lewis and observing bullet path.

Created:

July 28, 2022

Photographer

Eric Long

ID#:

NASM2022-06598

Source:

Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

Rights Usage:

Usage conditions apply

Terms of Use:

Smithsonian Terms of Use

Admission is always free.
Open daily 10:00 am – 5:30 pm

National Air and Space Museum

National Air and Space Museum 650 Jefferson Drive SW
Washington, DC

202-633-2214

Free Timed-Entry Passes Required

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway
Chantilly, VA 20151

703-572-4118

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