20mm Hispano 'Condom' covers

[kahu1]

Heavy duty condoms on Hurricane Hispano cannons, to keep out the dirt and bugs etc (FOD).

Source;https://fotoweb.airforcemuseum.co.nz/fotoweb/archives

Caption;
""Flight Lieutenant Barber sitting on the wing of his Middle East Command Hurricane. Unknown location.
Nose art: "Mac Roberts Salute To Russia - The Lady."
CM 3419""

 

[Tony Williams]

I've always understood that the main reason for these was to prevent a freezing blast of air being channeled down the barrel to freeze the action solid (something the Hispano was vulnerable to).

 

[kiwieod]

the oerlikons also had a similar cover that was to prevent ice forming in the barrel which could cause the fuze to function

 

[sksvlad]

So did these condoms stay on during the flight, when the air actually entered the barrel?

 

[Tony Williams]

Well, they stayed on until the guns were fired.

I believe that the first round in the ammo feed was an AP rather than HE, just in case...