"Vickers" machine gun: characteristics and photos

England - one of the first states, militarywho were fully appreciated all the advantages of such automatic weapons as a machine gun. From 1912 to the 1960s, the main model used by the British infantry was the Vickers machine gun. Information about its structure and characteristics is presented in the article.

Introduction

In 1883, the British Weapons DesignerKhayrem Maximus Stevenson designed the first automatic machine gun. Weapons were used in the Anglo-Boer, First and Second World Wars. The model was named in honor of its creator and entered the history of weapons as "Maxim". The Vickers Mk.I machine gun is an analog of the automatic machine tool of Hayram Stevenson. This explains their external similarity. However, according to weapons experts, the models manufactured at the Vickers factories and the Maxim machine guns have design differences.

About the device

Differences between the machine guns "Maxim" and "Vickers" are as follows:

• For machine guns from Vickersprovides an inverted system of lever locking, as a result of which machine guns are characterized by a reduced height and weight of the box. This was achieved by turning the lock 180 degrees.
• Boxes of Vickers machine guns are completed with lids consisting of two halves. With the help of the front half, the receiver is closed, and the back is closed by the box itself. The fixing point is the axis.
• Machine gun "Vickers" is equipped with a folding backplate. Its attachment to the box is made using the upper and lower bolts.

Photo of the Vickers machine guns is presented in the article.

About the system

Machine gun "Vickers Mk.I "is an automatic weapon that uses the kickback of a barrel, for which a short stroke is provided. The weapon is equipped with special water cooling. For antiaircraft and aviation versions of the machine gun, a blast-hole is used, which acts as a barrel accelerator - increases the rate of fire. It works under the influence of powder gases. The barrel is locked with two cranked levers. Immediately after the shot, it starts to move back under the influence of the formed powder gases. Thus, due to the short stroke of the trunk, a recharge mechanism is activated: the munition is removed from a special tape and sent to the breech. At the same time, the shutter is cocked. This sequence is repeated after each shot. The Vickers machine gun has an average rate of fire. Within one minute, you can produce no more than 450 shots. Shooting is possible only when the shutter is closed. Shock-trigger system allows you to use the machine gun only in automatic mode. USM equipped with a special fuse, whose task - to prevent accidental shooting.

About the combat

Боеприпасы для станкового пулемета содержатся в special tapes that are inserted into the receiver of the weapon. Machine guns from the Vickers company are equipped with receivers of a slide type. Initially, the tapes were cloth. Over time, British gunsmiths created a metal ribbon, the capacity of which is 250 cartridges.

About sighting devices

The Vickers machine gun is equipped with a rifle sight and a fly with a rectangular top. Some samples are equipped with optical sights.

On the tactical and technical characteristics of the Vickers machine gun

They are as follows:

• The weapon is an easel machine gun.
• Country of origin - England.
• The manufacturing company is Vickers-Armstrong.
• The length of the entire weapon is 110 cm.
• The length of the trunk is 72 cm.
• The ammunition is a British 303 cartridge of 7.69 mm or 7.71 mm.
• The weight of weapons without a machine is 18.1 kg, with a machine - 35.4 kg.
• The machine gun has a rate of fire of 450 rounds per minute.
• The initial speed of the bullet is 745 m / s.
• Shooting is effective at a distance of not more than 2190 m.
• The maximum range is up to 4100 m.
• The battle is ribbon.
• The machine gun operates on the principle of kickback of the trunk with a crank-and-rod locking.
• The machine gun went into service in 1912.
• Serial production was carried out from 1912 to 1945.

Modifications

On the basis of "Vickers MK.I" the following models were created:

• The machine gun "Vickers MK.II". Entered service in 1917.It is a standard fixed offensive weapon, which was installed on British military aircraft. Unlike the "Vickers MK.I", air cooling is provided for this model. The designers equipped the machine gun with a special finned radiator with a perforated casing. As a result of such a replacement, the weight of the weapon was reduced from 13.6 to 11.4 kg. The way of feeding the tape was also subject to modernization. Ammunition in the "Vickers MK.II" could come from both the left and the right side, so it was possible to put two machine guns next to each other. Also in the design of the model, gunsmiths added a special handle to adjust the tension of the return spring. The machine gun was used by the British air force during the First World War.
• «Vickers MK.III». This model was created in 1920.This modernized machine-gun, equipped with a special muzzle accelerator, was used as an antiaircraft weapon. The place of its installation was warships and coastal structures.

• "Vickers MK.IV". The machine gun was installed on all types of tanks.
• «Vickers MK.V». It is an improved model of "Vickers MK.III". Shooting is carried out by large-caliber ammunition 12.7 x 81 mm. The indicator of muzzle energy is 19,330 Joules.

Classes of machine guns

Classical weapons of class "K", or "Vickers G.O, was established in 1928. It is an aviation turret machine gun. The Army of the British Army entered in 1934. From that time, serial production of machine guns of this class began.

To the class "E" belonged the modification of "Vickers":"Mk II" "Mk III" and "Mk V". Machine guns were produced for export. In addition, licensed serial production was established in other countries. From 1920 to 1930, weapons were used as the main synchronous offensive weapons. The machine gun was manufactured by British designers for sale to the Netherlands, Poland and Czechoslovakia. Since 1929, the machine guns of the "E" class are designated as "fixed type". This class was represented by two options. In one (Type 82) shooting was conducted by an English cartridge or its slightly modified Japanese analogue 7.7x58 mm. For the second model, which is listed as Type 92, new "semi flange" ammunition of 7.7x58SR was developed.

Class "F" - export model of the machine gun. The weapon is equipped with a disc magazine with a capacity of 97 ammunition. Installed on combat aircraft.

About combat use

On arms of the British army heavy machine gunentered in November 1912. Used weapons by British infantrymen. Officially, the Vickers were retired in 1968. However, according to military experts, this model has been exploited for several years.

Russian Empire before the beginning of the First World Warfrom the British designers were ordered several batches of machine guns. In January 1917, the "Vickers" numbering 128 units were sent to Russia. This weapon was used in the civil war.

The machine gun was used by infantry of Britain and friendly countries in the First and Second World Wars.