20mm Hispano guns on Spitfire VB non-explosive?
So the other evening I was taking the Spitfire VB on some strafing runs in a Conquest round. And I've always just assumed the Hispano 20mms on the wings had an explosive payload. As you can see in the clip though, I strafed an enemy infantryman pretty much dead-on, (considering the guns' convergence or lack thereof at the given range), and it is evident there is absolutely no explosive or splash damage on impact at all, which I found not only a little disappointing but hard to believe.
Looking up the Hispano, like any WWII-era aircraft mounted gun, I know they generally had different types of belts of ammunition for different roles, but I'm fairly certain even the 'SAPI' rounds had a few grams of TNT-equivalent explosive in them. This doesn't seem right to me.
Quoted variously online below:
'Firing a 20 mm diameter projectile, it delivered a useful load of explosive from a relatively light weapon. This made it an ideal cannon for use onboard fighters, replacing the multiple 7.62 mm (.30 caliber) machine guns commonly used in military aircraft in the 1930s.'
The types of ammunition used were mainly: 'Semi-Armour Piercing, Incendiary (SAPI) and High Explosive, Incendiary (HEI).'
- @Jan_Atreides
The standard 20mm cannons on all aircraft (apart from the HE specific 20mm cannons on the Pacific aircraft) are non-explosive.
The only explosive specific rounds (or equivalent) on the European maps are those on the German
- BF109 G6
- Stuka B2 with 37mm cannons
British
- Blenheim
- Mosquito 6pounder cannon
While the standar 20mm rounds are not explosive, it requires between 2 - 3 direct hits to take out infantry and they absolutely destroy wings on enemy aircraft, which is the primary reason for equipping them.
If you want an easier time strafing infantry with 'Heavy' rounds, I'd suggest on the Spitfire VB to use the .50 cals, these have less of an arc and also less dispersion than the 20mm at range. You'll have an easier time hitting infantry.
What I will say though, nothing is better at taking out infantry than the Spitfires .303 light rounds or BF109 7.92mm light rounds (exception to the explosive rounds on the G6)
I hope this helps answer your question and gives a bit more insight to the aircraft and how to bet utilize them for the ground strafing role you're taking on 🙂
