The
whole of the deck is clear, thereby offering no obstruction to
the gunner in training the weapon, while the space may be widened
by dropping down the wings of the vehicle. At the rear is a seat
to accommodate the gun crew, beneath which the ammunition is
stowed. When travelling and out of action, the gun lies
horizontally, the muzzle pointing from the rear of the car.
To reduce the strains arising from firing, the arm is fitted with
what is known as the "differential recoil." Above the breach is
an air recuperator and a piston, while there is no hydraulic
brake such as is generally used. The compressor is kept under
compression while the car is travelling with the gun out of
action, so that the arm is available for instant firing. This is
a departure from the general practice in connection with such
weapons. When the gun is loaded the bolt which holds the
compressor back is withdrawn, either by the hand for manual
firing, or by the action of the automatic closing of the
breech when the arm is being used as a quick-firer. In firing
the gun is thrown forward under the pressure of the released air
which occurs at the moment of discharge.
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