3D CAD- RAF Browning .303

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Member for

14 years 3 months

Posts: 245

A couple of years or so ago I drew up this gun.

http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu207/MikeHoulder/RAF%20Browning/Image1_zpsee032bf7.jpg~original

It now looks irritatingly primitive. I'd like to improve the drawing while I take a rest from the Lancaster itself.

Here is the improvement of the flash suppressor:

Old
http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu207/MikeHoulder/RAF%20Browning/flashsuppressor0_zps56b344ae.jpg~original

New
http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu207/MikeHoulder/RAF%20Browning/flashsuppressor1_zps818e9725.jpg~original

But even with the new drawing the screw thread is a bit hit or miss. What would be the thread spec or a good approximation?

And can anyone help me with photos or drawings to enhance the details of the rest of the gun and make my drawing more precise?
Mike

Original post

Member for

10 years 9 months

Posts: 26

I can get you some in the morning.

Member for

19 years 6 months

Posts: 562

Nice work on the models.

The front mounting bolt is used in FN turret mounts.

http://i1025.photobucket.com/albums/y317/turret_mike/browning.jpg

Member for

18 years 2 months

Posts: 1,270

Hi Mike

The flash arrester thread is 1.062" x 20 tpi and is 0.708" long.
There are also 13 off 0.90" wire locking holes close to the periphery of the flange in front of the thread.

Pete

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 16,832

As a matter of interest..

One of the tiny details of the Bomber Command Memorial is the hook that one of the gunners has tucked into his flying boot.

Does anyone have details of how this was used to clear stoppages? Was it just to draw back the breech? If so, where did it fit?

Moggy

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 16,832

Brilliant.

Thank you very much for that. Another small piece of knowledge gained

Moggy

Member for

14 years 3 months

Posts: 245

Turretboy, I'd love to see your Browning image. As you can see only the top part is displayed.

Unfortunately Photobucket are using a bad algorithm (for our purposes) for reducing the size of images if their size exceeds 1024x768 pixels.

It is possible to overcome this defect. Here are the instructions found if you follow this sequence of pages in the Photobucket Help system:
Photobucket Help -> Sharing and Linking -> Linking Original Size Images (full resolution)

where you will see the following which does do the job:

To link out your full size images (images larger than 1024x768):
1. Go to UPLOAD page
2. Click on the gear wheel icon (top right of panel)
3. Check the option to "Display my linked photos in their original sizes".
4. Click Save

This will append the ~original addition to your link codes, which allows them to be displayed in the full resolution they were uploaded as.

Member for

10 years 9 months

Posts: 26

[ATTACH=CONFIG]227549[/ATTACH]

Attachments

Member for

14 years 3 months

Posts: 245

Great stuff, many thanks all three of you, turretboy, MerlinPete and m3bobby
Mike

Member for

19 years 6 months

Posts: 562

Hi Mike,

I found this one in my files.

http://i1025.photobucket.com/albums/y317/turret_mike/browning303-3.jpg~original

I updated the link to original file option.

http://i1025.photobucket.com/albums/y317/turret_mike/browning-1.jpg~original

Regards,

Member for

14 years 3 months

Posts: 245

Mike, that is more than great. Many, many thanks. The plan and elevation are very desirable. Do you know the source? One thing has struck me. The outer barrel case is show as tapered to the front. Looking hard at one of the photos I have, I think I can see it now there as well. What a surprise!

Mike, do you happen to have the key to the part numbers shown. I struggle to find sensible names for the parts since I am completely clueless about guns.

Best wishes to all
Mike

Member for

16 years

Posts: 729

Careful now. If the plod get a whiff you're making viable CAD models of a .303 browning they'll be round and accuse of you facilitating the manufacture of banned firearms. :D

After all, they figure anyone with a 3D printer has the potential to print a "gun" which is grounds enough for a raid. http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-24666591

Member for

11 years 2 months

Posts: 901

OneEightBit, it's a good job Mike is in Argentina in that case:eagerness:

Member for

14 years 3 months

Posts: 245

Wow! And if I 3D print the bomber itself .....?

Member for

15 years 3 months

Posts: 116

Mike, I've got a fair bit of reference material on the .303 Browning which I'll be happy to share with you if you can let me have your e-mail address.

And yes, as you remarked earlier on, the barrel casing is tapered, something which is neglected in quite a few replicas, for ease of manufacture no doubt. Also, Turretboy's drawing (hi Mike) shows the gun in its Mk I version with the early flash eliminator, I believe the Mk II version with the revised muzzle brake and flash eliminator is somewhat shorter overall. Attaching one of the many photos I took of a .303 years ago at the Brussels Army Museum, as a teaser :) .[ATTACH=CONFIG]227671[/ATTACH]

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Member for

14 years 2 months

Posts: 36

Nice work, Mike!
I've also been modeling the Browning, for drawings to appear in my Wirraway book (Mk IIs were mounted under the wings of some Wirraways for training purposes).

Here is a snapshot of my efforts so far:
http://dbdesignbureau.net/images/misc/Browning 303 Mk II 3D model 01.jpg

I'm also looking for reference material... particularly the underside of the gun... Walter, I'll send you a PM.

Regards,
Derek

Member for

10 years 9 months

Posts: 26

The MkII has the early non finned booster and flash eliminator. The MkII* has the more usual finned versions. I think the Mk1 version is the Colt made ANM2.

I've got a MkII rather than the MkII* but I have a MkII* booster and flash eliminator to fit as I can't find the correct MkII parts.

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad51/m3bobby/Browning%20303/Number_zps4da6f8ff.jpg

Member for

10 years 9 months

Posts: 26

Mike, I've got a fair bit of reference material on the .303 Browning which I'll be happy to share with you if you can let me have your e-mail address.

And yes, as you remarked earlier on, the barrel casing is tapered, something which is neglected in quite a few replicas, for ease of manufacture no doubt. Also, Turretboy's drawing (hi Mike) shows the gun in its Mk I version with the early flash eliminator, I believe the Mk II version with the revised muzzle brake and flash eliminator is somewhat shorter overall. Attaching one of the many photos I took of a .303 years ago at the Brussels Army Museum, as a teaser :) .[ATTACH=CONFIG]227671[/ATTACH]

I don't suppose I could have a copy of some of the info could I? I've been slowly restoring my example and trying to get the correct AP but it's slow going.

Member for

14 years 11 months

Posts: 894

Do you have a copy of the RAF Museum Series Volume 9 "British Aircraft Guns of World War Two?" It says, on the cover, that it contains "The Official Air Publications for the Lewis, Vickers and Browning machine-guns and the Hispano 20mm cannon." ISBN is 0-85368-292-5, 0-88254-495-0 in the U.S., with a Library of Congress Catalogue Card Number 79-89016. When the book was written, it stated that the quality of the type and illustrations was not good enough for book purposes, so they had to be reproduced. According to the book, the A.P., for the Mk.II, is 1641C.

Member for

19 years 6 months

Posts: 562

Here's the source drawing for the gun plan & elevation I posted earlier.

I'm sorry for the quality.

http://i1025.photobucket.com/albums/y317/turret_mike/L_0_19.jpg~original