Is/are the searchlights attached to the main gun? Is/ are the seachlights elevated and depressed with the main gun controls?
Should there be a space (noticable) between the main gun and the bottom of the searchlight?
Thanks
Joker

The big searchlight was mounted on three small posts attached to the main gun. So yes it did travel up and down with gun and was sighted that way so you could pop it on and off and see your target.

Te searchlight is mounted on ball mounts, similar to a trailer hitch, that are attached to the mantlet, not the gun itself. The light elevates with the gun as the mantlet raises and falls when the gun controls are used to move it. There is a space between the gun tube and the searchlight.

You can see the mounting balls on this old M48A3 on display in Vietnam


Here is one mounting a search light. You can see the space clearly.

DOH !!

I meant mantlett...thanks for clearing up my gaff Gino