Armed Ceremonial Fly-Past

[Tempest]

Was that the first ever armed ceremonial fly past a couple of days ago?

[Lorenco]

I presume the 4 aircraft on the flypast were double jobbing and diverted from their top cover role.

[Jetjock]

Possibly the first ever "Swing Role" ceremonial flypast!

[GoneToTheCanner]

First armed one?No. Vampires did it will full drums, years ago.
regards
GttC

[Goldie fish]

The Fougas escorting the Pope in 79 were armed with 7.5mm twin MGs in the nose too, and they flew in crucifix formation over the Phoenix park.

[Claudel Hopson]

Sorry Goldie, 7.62 MAGs were fitted.

[Goldie fish]

Thought they weren't fitted till the 80s?

[GoneToTheCanner]

Hi there
They had both the GPMG and AAT-52, in 7.62mm and used both, but there were only two of the French guns available and they were rarely used.
regards
GttC

[Goldie fish]

Ah, that makes sense, I thought all the AAT52s were 7.5mm.

[GoneToTheCanner]

They had 7.62 stamped on the top of the feed cover. Even though they have quite a different shape, either gun could fit the Fouga's mounts. Apart from that, is the French 7.5 round the old long round for the Lebel or a short equivalent to the 7.62 X 51?
regards
GttC

[Tempest]

Thanks for the replies. I've never seen footage of vampires doing ceremonials from a side or front view, it would probably have been difficult to tell if they had canons mounted unless you could see close enough from a suitable angle?

[GoneToTheCanner]

The Vampires' cannons were internal. The only external ordnance was rockets.
regards
GttC

[Tempest]

That's what I was saying, presumably the muzzles just barely protruding? Also, presumably when canon were mounted a cover plate/door would be removed?

[GoneToTheCanner]

The muzzles didn't protude at all. The cannon were fitted permanently and were rearmed thru access panels under the belly. The cannon barrels had their own access panel.
regards
GttC

[Tempest]

Thanks GTTC for clearing that up, I've been trying to get that answer for years without sucess! Obviously been asking the wrong people