Nodeo-Franvier
Airman 1st Class
- 122
- Jul 13, 2020
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We know that both the Ho-103 and Breda-Safat was problematic in one way or the others especially with reduced rate of fire when synchronized,What others gun do you think they should be replaced with?
My pick is 11.25mm Madsen m1927 ,13.2mm FN m1939 ,Gebauer m1940 or maybe MG131.
Anything goes.Can we suggest alternative armament (as suggested in the title), or just alternative HMGs?
The Zero already got two on the wing though.
Jump on the Oerlikon FF bandwagon ASAP. Both countries were using engines of under 1200 HP, and in many cases up to 1000 HP, so guns' & ammo weight is a prime concern. Make a deal with Oerlikon for the belt-fed version ASAP, together with the deal for ammo with 100-110g shells so the MV can be 700+ m/s to increase the hit probability. Two per aircraft early on (on G.50, MC 200/202, Re.2000-2002, Ki-43/-44, Zero), later 4 per A/C (G.55, MC.205, Re.2005, Ki-61, etc; also probably on later Zeros and Ki-43s), in the wings outside the prop arc. 4 cannons on 2-engined fighters. Have it sped-up to 600+ rd/min as the war goes on. Adopt the Mine shell design past 1940 (better target effect, 92 g shell should also have a higher MV than the 100-110g one).
On early fighters, add a pair of LMGs or HMGs to complement the two 20mm cannons.
The Zero already got two on the wing though.
Even 20mm MG FF/M only managed to 700m/s i don't think 25mm Oerlikon cannon could go that fast.Heavier weapons: a derivative of the MK 108, but in 25mm calibre. Applicable mostly for Japanese, since by late war the Italians were pretty much out as an independent force. Use the 250g HE shell from the 25mm AA gun, fired at around 700 m/s here.
Even 20mm MG FF/M only managed to 700m/s i don't think 25mm Oerlikon cannon could go that fast.
Mk 108 itself only have muzzle velocity of 540m/s.25mm MK 108 derivative should.
Mk 108 itself only have muzzle velocity of 540m/s.
The only Japanese 25mm round i know of is from the anti aircraft gun.MK 108 fired a 330g shell. Japanese 25mm shell was 250g and it was shorter, while the MK 108 ammo protruded well into the casing's cavity thus eating up into propellant charge.
The only Japanese 25mm round i know of is from the anti aircraft gun.
I think your ballistics are a bit off.
The 25 x 163 is the Hotchkiss round used by the Japanese. It is 42.7mm in diameter just in front of the extractor grove. The German 30mm MK 108 case was 32.3mm in diameter just in front of the grove. The Hotchkiss had 101,000 joules of energy for the 250 gram HE projectile, the MK 108 had 42,100 joules.
Your proposed round would have a muzzle energy of over 61,000 joules. (250 grams at 700m/s) even if the velocity was 600m/s you would have just under 45,000 joules.
Interior ballistics problem with that is that you have less area on the base of the projectile to push against. And your projectile has more sectional density. perhaps not a lot but you need more chamber pressure to get the results you want or even get 600 m/s.
Ki-43 Oscar has the same armament of a Sopwith Camel, twin .303 machine guns, that's it. Meanwhile 1939 Spitfire and Hurricane have eight.
Bravo for Japan on the ROF increase I suppose. My point though is twin Vickers in 1941? That's the best you can do?Sopwith Camel had Vickers guns that fired at about 600rpm each before synchronization.
Ki-43 Oscar had Vickers guns that fired at about 900rpm each before synchronization. 50% increase in firepower?