Description
20mm M39A2/M39A3 Aircraft Cannon Feeder Sleeve Bushing for F-5 Freedom Fighter, P/N 8401446
Item Overview
This original U.S. military sleeve bushing was used in the feeder and rammer mechanism of the 20mm M39A2 and M39A3 aircraft cannons. The part supported and aligned a shaft or sprocket as the feeder moved linked 20×102mm ammunition into position for loading. Federal records associate this component with F-5 Freedom Fighter gunnery equipment.
Identification and Features
The official federal name is “Bushing, Sleeve.” The original wrapper carries FSN 1005-508-0422, not 1005-503-0422. The item was later reclassified under Federal Supply Class 3120 for unmounted plain bearings and assigned NSN 3120-00-508-0422.
- Official designation: Bushing, Sleeve
- Part numbers: A8401446 and 8401446
- Original wrapper FSN: 1005-508-0422
- Current NSN: 3120-00-508-0422
- Material: Steel
- Style: Flanged sleeve bushing
- Overall length: Approximately 1.100 inches
- Inside diameter: Approximately 1.001 inches
- Body outside diameter: Approximately 1.123 inches
- Flange outside diameter: Approximately 1.240 to 1.260 inches
- Weapon application: 20mm M39A2 and M39A3 aircraft cannons
- Aircraft association: F-5 Freedom Fighter gunnery equipment
How It Worked
The sleeve bushing provided a fitted bearing surface for a rotating shaft or sprocket inside the cannon’s feeder and rammer mechanism. It helped keep the supported component aligned while reducing direct wear between moving steel parts. During operation, the feeder positioned linked ammunition and the rammer moved each cartridge into the M39 cannon’s revolving chamber system.
Manual Identification
Air Force Technical Order T.O. 11W1-12-3-14 identifies this part and its related equipment in the illustrated parts breakdown for the M39A2 and M39A3 guns. Page 2-2, Figure 3, places the bushing within the feeder assembly and verifies its installation in the feeder and rammer mechanism.
Weapon and Aircraft History
The M39 was a gas-operated, five-chamber revolver cannon developed in the United States after World War II. It entered service during the 1950s and gave jet fighters a high rate of fire from a lighter single-barrel weapon. M39-family guns armed aircraft including the F-86H Sabre, F-100 Super Sabre, F-101 Voodoo, and F-5 Freedom Fighter. Single-seat F-5 fighters carried two M39 cannons in the nose for air-to-air combat and ground-attack missions.
Condition
This listing is for one original military-surplus sleeve bushing. The cannon, feeder, rammer, shaft, sprocket, ammunition, and other associated parts are not included. Please check the pictures for the general condition of the item.
Ideal For
This small but specialized component is well suited for collections, technical displays, and restoration projects covering American aircraft armament and the F-5 Freedom Fighter.
- 20mm M39 aircraft cannon collections
- F-5 Freedom Fighter displays
- Aircraft armament restoration projects
- Military aviation museums
- Feeder and rammer mechanism research
- U.S. Air Force ordnance collections
Approx length 1.1", Approx width 1.26", Approx height 1.26", Approx weight 0.1lbs.
Pictures are stock images of our inventory. Unless otherwise noted, you will not be receiving the exact item shown in the pictures. The pictures are representative of the item’s general condition. The item you receive might be slightly better, or worse, condition than was shown in the pictures.
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