The Maschinengewehr (MG) 151 is a belt-fed autocannon for aircraft use, developed in Nazi Germany from 1934 to 1940 and produced by Waffenfabrik Mauser during World War II. It was originally produced in 15.1 mm caliber from 1940, with a 15×96mm cartridge, but due to demand for higher effect against aircraft, especially with the introduction of mine shells for the 20 mm MG-FF/M aircraft cannon, the design was rechambered to 20 mm caliber in 1941, using a newly developed 20×82mm cartridge which traded projectile velocity for explosive power. The initial 15 mm variant then became known as the MG 151/15, with the new 20 mm variant becoming the MG 151/20.
The MG 151/20 cannon was widely used on German Luftwaffecombat aircraft throughout World War II, mainly as offensive armament, but also seeing some use as defensive guns. Existing MG 151/15 guns saw use as aircraft armament throughout the war, albeit more limited compared to the MG 151/20, but also as anti-aircraft guns in various configurations, such as the SdKfz 251/21 Drilling half-track which carried three MG 151/15.
Post-war, salvaged MG 151/20 saw usage by many nations. France had salvaged many guns and became the main user and exporter of the MG 151/20 during the Cold War, fitting it to not only aircraft, but also armoured fighting vehicles as anti aircraft weaponry. France continued exporting the gun all the way into the 1960s, then primarily as flexible dorsal gunship armament for the Aérospatiale SA-3160 and SA-3164 Alouette III utility helicopter. SA-3160s armed with MG 151/20s were bought by Portugal, Rhodesia and South Africa in 1966 and saw service until the early 1990s. South Africa reused the 20×82mm cartridge from the MG 151/20 to chamber their Denel NTW-20 anti-materiel rifle.
Development and wartime history
The pre-war German doctrine for arming single-engine fighter aircraft mirrored that of the French. This doctrine favoured a powerful autocannon mounted between the cylinder banks of a V engine and firing through the propeller hub, known as a moteur-canon in French (from its first use with the Hispano-Suiza HS.8C engine in World War I, on the SPAD S.XII) and by the cognate Motorkanone in German by the 1930s. The weapon preferred by the French in this role was the 20 mm Oerlikon FF S model, but this proved too big for German engines. Mauser was given the task of developing a gun that would fit, with a minimum sacrifice in performance. As a stop-gap measure, the MG FF cannon was developed from the Oerlikon FF and put in widespread use, but its performance was lackluster.[1]
Production of the MG 151 in its original 15 mm calibre format began in 1940. After combat evaluation of the 15 mm cartridge as the main armament of early Messerschmitt Bf 109F-2 fighters, the cannon was redesigned with a larger cartridge as the 20 mm MG 151/20 in 1941. Combat experience showed that a more powerful explosive shell was preferable to a higher projectile velocity.[2] The MG 151/20 cartridge was created by expanding the neck of the cartridge to hold the larger explosive shell used in the MG FF cannon, and shortening the length of the cartridge case to match the overall length of the original 15 mm cartridge.[2] These measures simplified conversion of the 15 mm to the 20 mm MG 151/20, requiring only a change of barrel and other small modifications. A disadvantage of the simplified conversion was reduction of projectile muzzle velocity from 850 metres per second (2,800 ft/s) for the 15 mm shell to 700 m/s (2,300 ft/s) for the larger and heavier 20 mm shell.[3] A 20 mm AP projectile could penetrate only 10–12 mm of armor at 300 m (at 60 degrees), compared to 18 mm penetration for the 15 mm under the same conditions but this was not seen as a significant limitation.[2] The 20 mm version became the standard inboard cannon from the Bf 109F-4 series.[2] The 20 mm MG 151/20 offered more predictable trajectory, longer range and higher impact velocity than the 580 m/s (1,900 ft/s) cartridge of the earlier MG FF cannon.[3] The MG FF was retained for flexible, wing and upward firing Schräge Musik mounts to the end of the war.[4]
The German preference for explosive power rather than armor penetration was taken further with the development of the mine shell which had been first introduced for the MG FF (in the Bf 109 E-4) and later for the MG 151/20. Even this improvement in explosive power turned out to be unsatisfactory against the four-engine bombers that German fighters were up against in the second part of the war. By German calculations, it took about 15–20 hits with the MG 151/20 to down a heavy bomber but this was reduced to just 3–4 hits for a 30 mm shell with the shattering effects of its hexogen explosive filling used by the long-barreled MK 103 and shorter barreled MK 108 cannon. Only four or five hits with 20 mm calibre cannon were needed for frontal attacks on heavy bombers (Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and Consolidated B-24 Liberator) but such attacks were difficult to execute. The 30 mm MK 108 cannon thus replaced the MG 151/20 as the standard, engine-mount Motorkanone centre-line armament starting with the Bf 109 K-4 and was also retrofitted to some of the G-series.[5]
An unknown number of cannons were converted for usage in the ground use role in early 1945, predominantly within Volkssturm units serving in the Posen area. Its effectiveness in this role are unknown but it was photographed on parade in Posen November 1944 with the Wartheland Volkssturm units.[8]
Postwar use
After World War II, numbers of ex-Luftwaffe MG 151/20 cannon were removed from inventory and from scrapped aircraft and used by various nations in their own aircraft. The French Armée de l'air (AdA) and French Army aviation arm (Aviation légère de l'armée de Terre, ALAT) used MG 151/20 cannon as fixed and flexible armament in various aircraft, including helicopters. The AdA and ALAT jointly developed a rubber-insulated flexible mount for the MG 151/20 for use as a door gun, which was later used in combat in Algeria aboard several FAF/ALAT Piasecki H-21C assault transport helicopters and on Sikorsky H-34 gunship helicopters.[9] French Matra MG 151 20 mm cannons were used by Portugal and Rhodesia fitted to their Alouette III helicopters, while Denel designed its own variant for the South African Air Force.[10][11]
Nose fuze, tracer, with or without self-destruct (Zerleger)
15 mm Brandsprenggranatpatrone[a] 151 (Elektron) L'spur/Gl'spur mit/ohne Zerleger
HEFI-T
57.5-59
1.9 g HE (PETN) + (blasting cap) : 0,3 - 0,33 g HE (PETN) + 0,66 - 0,7 g HE (Lead azide)-(Tetrazene explosive) or 0,45 g HE (Mercury(II) fulminate) + 1.3 g incendiary (Elektron)(Thermite)
960 m/s (3,100 ft/s)
Nose fuze, tracer, w. or w/o self-destruct.
15 mm Brandgranatpatrone 151 L'spur/Gl'spur mit Zerleger
On striking an aircraft, the primer charge in the fuze head responds, shears the fuze head away and ignites the incendiary charge in the projectile. The incendiary charge sprays forward over at least 8 m of projectile travel. In air combat as a carrier of the incendiary effect, especially for the incendiary shooting of fuel tanks.
15 mm Panzergranatpatrone 151 L'spur ohne Zerleger
Armour-piercing with tracer
72-73.5
none (solid shot)
850
Penetration 18 mm of armour at 60-degree impact at 100m range.
15 mm H-Panzergranatpatrone 151 ohne Zerleger
API-HC APICR HVAPI
52-53.5 54.5-56
none (solid shot)
1030-1050
Tungsten carbide core. For use against armoured ground targets.
Penetration 26(33)-34(43)-48(54) mm of armour at 60-75-90-degree impact, 100 m range.
Penetrating effect with incendiary effect due to melting of light metal tip. Effective only against light armoured vehicles, tankers, etc.
Against armour with attachment, steel core tends to shatter.
15 mm Panzerbrandgranatpatrone(Phosphor) 151 ohne Zerleger
Two versions of the 20 mm MG 151 were built. Early guns used a percussion priming system, and later E-models used electrical priming. Some rounds were available with a timer self-destruct and/or tracer (or glowtracer). There were also different types of high-explosive shell fillings with either standard Pentrit A which was pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) and aluminium, HA 41 (RDX mixed with Aluminium powder which had a 40 percent increased high explosive and incendiary effect),[15] and a compressed version where more explosives (HA 41) were compressed into same space using large pressures (MX).[16]
Rifling: 1 turn in 23 calibers
Effective range:800 m
Muzzle velocity was 805 m/s (HEI-HC (M)) and 705 m/s (HE-Tracer, armor piercing)
2 cm Brandsprenggranatpatrone 151 L'spur/Gl'spur mit/ohne Zerleger
HEFI/-T
113-115 115-117
2.3 g HE (PETN) + (blasting cap) : 0,6 g HE (PETN) + 0,28 - 0,4 g HE (Lead azide)-(Tetrazene explosive) + 2.1 g incendiary (Elektron)(Thermite)
percussion 705
Nose fuze, with or without tracer, with or without self-destruct.
electric primer 720-735
2 cm Brandgranatpatrone 151 L'Spur/Gl'spur mit/ohne Zerleger
I/-T
117-119
6.6 - 7.3 g incendiary (BaNO3+Al+Mg) + (blasting cap) : 0,2 g HE (PETN) + 0,4 g HE (Lead azide)-(Tetrazene explosive)
pecussion 705
Nose fuze, w. or w/o tracer, w. or w/o self-destruct
As soon as it hits the outer skin of the aircraft, the primer charge in the fuze head responds, shearing the fuze head away and igniting the incendiary charge in the projectile. The incendiary charge sprays forward over at least 10 m of projectile travel.
In air combat as a carrier of the incendiary effect, especially for the incendiary shooting of fuel tanks. As an indestructible body, it remains effective even after penetrating several bulkheads. In combination with the M-Shell, it is intended to replace the HEI grenade.
electric primer 720
2 cm Brandgranat44 patrone 151 ohne Zerleger
I
106-108
6.2 g incendiary (Elektron)(Thermite) + (blasting cap) : 0,4 g HE (PETN)
?
Nose fuze, no tracer, no self-destruct. Incendiary effect due to ejection of the burning elektron shell.
2 cm Brandgranat44 patrone 151 El. ohne Zerleger
745
Nose fuze, no tracer, electric primer, no self-destruct. Incendiary effect due to ejection of the burning elektron shell.
Nose fuze, tracer, w. or w/o self-destruct. Penetration 13-15-17 mm of armour at 60-75-90-degree impact angle, 100 m range. Detonation after 5mm armour penetration.
2 cm Panzersprenggranatpatrone 151 L'spur/Gl'spur El. mit/ohne Zerleger
720
Nose fuze, tracer, electric primer, w. or w/o self-destruct. Detonation after 5mm armour penetration.
2 cm Panzerbrandgranatpatrone (Phosphor) 151 L'spur/Gl'spur ohne Zerleger
API/-T
115-117
3.6 g incendiary (WP) + 8,6 - 9,1 g incendiary capsule
705
No fuze, w. or w/o tracer, no self-destruct. Penetration 6–12 mm to 13–23 mm of armour at 60 to 90-degree impact angle, 100 m range.
When the projectile breaks up on sufficient impact, the phosphorus burns for a long time.
2 cm Panzerbrandgranatpatrone (Phosphor) 151 L'spur/Gl'spur El. ohne Zerleger
720
w. or w/o tracer, electric primer, no self-destruct.
2 cm Panzerbrandgranatpatrone (Elektron) 151 ohne Zerleger
API
117-119
6.2 g incendiary (Elektron)(Thermite)
695
Optimized for strafing merchant ships and light combat vehicles. Nose fuze, no tracer, self-destruct. Penetration 15 mm of steel at 65-degree impact angle, 100 m range. Fuze functions after penetration of at least 4 mm shipbuilding steel, incendiary effect due to ejection of the burning elektron shell.
2 cm Panzerbrandgranatpatrone (Elektron) 151 El. ohne Zerleger
?
Optimized for strafing merchant ships and light combat vehicles. Nose fuze, no tracer, electric primer, self-destruct. . Fuze functions after penetration of at least 4 mm shipbuilding steel, incendiary effect due to ejection of the burning elektron shell.
US derivatives (T17, T39, T51)
During World War II the US Army produced the 0.60-caliber T17, a reverse-engineered copy of the German MG 151 chambered for an experimental anti-tank rifle round. A speculative order of 5,000 T17 guns was placed, but only around 300 of them were built. However, none saw service despite the availability of 6 million rounds of .60 caliber ammunition.[18] Almost one million rounds were fired during the T17 testing program. The main US version produced, the T17E3, was made by Frigidaire; it weighed 134 lb (61 kg) and had a rate of fire of only 600 rounds per minute. Further refinements led to the T39 and T51 versions, but these also did not enter service.[19]
US ammunition
A cartridge originally based on an armor-piercing round designed in 1939 for use with the experimental T1 and T1E1 anti-tank rifles. It was cancelled in 1944 when it became clear that modern tanks had armor too thick to penetrate with a heavy rifle cartridge. Developments showed that shaped-chargedrifle grenades and rocket launchers were the future of infantry anti-tank weapons, and the anti-tank rifle concept was abandoned.
Much like the British attempts to turn their stocks of obsolete .55 Boys anti-tank cartridges into a native-designed heavy machine gun cartridge, the .60-caliber cartridge was repurposed as an autocannon cartridge to succeed the older .50 Browning. The ammunition and the T17 cannon were produced from 1942 to 1946 but never proved a substantial improvement over the .50 Browning and the M2HB and M3 heavy machine guns. The cartridge was later shortened and necked up to produce the 20×102mm Vulcan autocannon round.
.60 Armor-Piercing [15.2×114mm T1 Rifle] - A 1180-grain (76.5-gram) kinetic penetrator projectile with a velocity of 3,600 feet per second (1,100 m/s) for a muzzle energy of over 34,000 ft./lbs. (46 kilojoules).[20][21]
^Williams, Anthony G. (December 2004). "An Introduction to Anti-Tank Rifle Cartridges". The Cartridge Researcher. European Cartridge Research Association. Archived from the original on 25 February 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2013 – via Military Guns & Ammunition. (Modified January 2013, with thanks to Szymon Sztetner.)
Fontanellaz, Adrien; Cooper, Tom; Matos, Jose Augusto (2020). War of Intervention in Angola, Volume 3: Angolan and Cuban Air Forces, 1975-1985. Warwick, UK: Helion & Company Publishing. ISBN978-1-913118-61-7.
Petter-Bowyer, Peter J. H. (2005). Winds of Destruction: The Autobiography of a Rhodesian Combat Pilot. Johannesburg: 30° South. ISBN0-9584890-3-3.
Williams, Anthony G. (2002). Rapid Fire: The Development of Automatic Cannon, Heavy Machine-Guns and Their Ammunition for Armies, Navies and Air Forces. Shrewsbury: Airlife. ISBN978-1-84037-435-3.
This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages) This article contains wording that promotes the subject in a subjective manner without imparting real information. Please remove or replace such wording and instead of making proclamations about a subject's importance, use facts and attribution to demonstrate that importance. (December 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this template messag...
Windsor Castle Luchtfoto van het kasteel Coördinaten 51° 29′ NB, 0° 36′ WL Kaart Plattegrond van het kasteel A: The Round Tower B: The Upper Ward, The Quadrangle C: The State Apartments D: Private Apartments E: South Wing F: Lower Ward G: St. George's Chapel H: Horseshoe Cloister K: King Henry VIII Gate (Hoofdingang) L: The Long Walk M: Norman Gate N: North Terrace O: Edward IV Tower T: The Curfew Tower Windsor Castle, Norman gate (M) Windsor Castle, Round Tower (A) The Quadran...
جورج إس. بوتويل (بالإنجليزية: George S. Boutwell) معلومات شخصية الميلاد 28 يناير 1818[1][2] بروكلين الوفاة 27 فبراير 1905 (87 سنة) [1][2] غروتون الإقامة ماساتشوستس مواطنة الولايات المتحدة عضو في الأكاديمية الأمريكية للفنون والعلوم مناصب حاكم ماسا
1988 television film directed by Nicholas J. Corea The Incredible Hulk ReturnsGenre Action Adventure Superhero Drama Created byKenneth JohnsonBased onHulkby Stan LeeJack KirbyWritten byNicholas CoreaDirected by Nicholas Corea Starring Bill Bixby Lou Ferrigno Jack Colvin Eric Kramer Steve Levitt Theme music composer Lance Rubin The Lonely Man Theme by Joe Harnell Country of originUnited StatesOriginal languageEnglishProductionExecutive producers Bill Bixby Nicholas Corea ProducerDaniel McPheeP...
ABC affiliate in Nampa, Idaho For other uses, see Kivi (disambiguation). Not to be confused with KVII-TV. KIVI-TVNampa–Boise, IdahoUnited StatesCityNampa, IdahoChannelsDigital: 24 (UHF)Virtual: 6BrandingIdaho News 6ProgrammingAffiliations6.1: ABCfor others, see § SubchannelsOwnershipOwnerE. W. Scripps Company(Scripps Broadcasting Holdings LLC)Sister stationsKSAW-LDHistoryFirst air dateFebruary 1, 1974 (49 years ago) (1974-02-01)Former call signsKITC (February–April 197...
Halaman ini berisi artikel tentang kota kuno. Untuk desa di Iran, lihat Nimrud, Iran. Untuk other uses, lihat Nimrod. Kalhu beralih ke halaman ini. Untuk desa di Lorestan, Iran, lihat Kolehu, Lorestan. Nimrudكال (Arab)Sebuah lamassu di Istana Barat Laut dari Ashurnasirpal IILokasi di IraqNama alternatifKalhuLokasiNoomanea, Kegubernuran Ninawa, IrakWilayahMesopotamiaKoordinat36°5′53.49″N 43°19′43.57″E / 36.0981917°N 43.3287694°E / 36.0981917; 43.3287...
For other places with the same name, see Dzierżążnik. Village in Greater Poland Voivodeship, PolandDzierżążnikVillageDzierżążnikCoordinates: 51°09′09″N 18°00′47″E / 51.15250°N 18.01306°E / 51.15250; 18.01306Country PolandVoivodeshipGreater PolandCountyKępnoGminaTrzcinica Dzierżążnik [d͡ʑɛrˈʐɔ̃ʐnik] is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Trzcinica, within Kępno County, Greater Poland Voivodeship, in west-central Polan...
Murray Gell-Mann 15 september 1929 Murray Gell-Mann tijdens een TED-lezing in 2007 Geboorteplaats Manhattan Nationaliteit Amerikaans Nobelprijs Natuurkunde Jaar 1969 Reden Voor zijn bijdragen en ontdekkingen over de indeling van elementaire deeltjes en hun interacties. Voorganger(s) Luis Alvarez Opvolger(s) Hannes AlfvénLouis Néel Portaal Natuurkunde Murray Gell-Mann (Manhattan (New York)), 15 september 1929 - Santa Fe (New Mexico), 24 mei 2019) was een Amerikaanse ...
У списку подані матчі празької «Славії» у єврокубкових турнірах. Вперше у міжнародному турнірі «Славія» зіграла у 1927 році на Кубку Мітропи, а згодом виступала і у загальноєвропейському турнірі Кубок ярмарків. Перша поява клубу у змаганнях під егідою УЄФА відбулась у Куб...
Population GrowthYearPop.±%19017,544,790— 19116,731,510−10.8%19217,152,811+6.3%19318,012,325+12.0%194110,118,973[a]+26.3%19519,160,500−9.5%196111,135,069+21.6%197113,551,060+21.7%198116,788,915+23.9%199120,281,969+20.8%200124,358,999+20.1%201127,743,338+13.9%source:Census of India [1]: 42 [2][3] Punjab is home to 2.3% of India's population; with a density of 551 persons per km2. According to the provisional results ...
Portrait of Henry GiessenbierAmerican banker; founded the Jaycees Henry Hy Giessenbier Jr (1892–1935) was an American banker in St. Louis, Missouri of German ancestry.[1] He became the founder of the Young Men's Progressive Civic Association in 1915 and the United States Junior Chamber in 1920.[2][3] He died aged 43 of kidney complications. External links detailed biography References ^ Williams, Walter; Shoemaker, Floyd Calvin (1930). Missouri, Mother of the West. V...
United States federal prison in Florida This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages) This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources.Find sources: Federal Correctional Complex, Coleman – news · newspapers · books...
AleksandraPoster filmSutradara Aleksandr Sokurov ProduserDitulis oleh Aleksandr Sokurov PemeranGalina VishnevskayaSinematograferAleksandr BurovPenyuntingSergei IvanovPerusahaanproduksiProline FilmDistributorGravitas VenturesA-Film DistributionTanggal rilis26 September 2007Durasi90 menitNegara Rusia Bahasa Rusia Aleksandra (Bahasa Rusia: Александра) adalah film Rusia tahun 2007 mengenai Perang Chechnya Kedua yang ditulis dan disutradarai oleh Aleksandr Sokurov. Film ini mengisahkan t...
2020 song by VAL Da vidnaSingle by VALReleased27 January 2020Length2:55Songwriter(s)Mikita NajdzionaŭEurovision Song Contest 2020 entryCountryBelarusArtist(s)VALLanguageBelarusianComposer(s)Uladzislaŭ PaškievičValeryja HrybusavaLyricist(s)Mikita NajdzionaŭFinals performanceSemi-final resultContest cancelledEntry chronology◄ Like It (2019) Da vidna (Belarusian: Да відна, English: Before dawn) is a song performed by Belarusian band VAL.[1] Eurovision Song Contest Main arti...
Armenian historian Gagik SargsyanGagik Sargsyan's plaque in YerevanBorn(1926-04-06)6 April 1926Yerevan, Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet RepublicDied25 August 1998(1998-08-25) (aged 72)Yerevan, ArmeniaNationalityArmenianAlma materYerevan State UniversityLeningrad State University (1950)Known forVice-president of the Armenian Academy of SciencesScientific careerFieldsHistorian, academicInstitutions Institute of History of the Armenian Academy of Sciences (1954-1962) ِ...
2003 live album by The Holy Modal RoundersLive in 1965Live album by The Holy Modal RoundersReleasedJanuary 21, 2003Recorded1965 at Chess Mate in Detroit, MichiganGenreFreak folkLength44:55LabelDBK Works (original release)ESP-Disk (reissue)Don Giovanni (reissue)ProducerTom AbbsThe Holy Modal Rounders chronology I Make a Wish for a Potato(2001) Live in 1965(2003) Bird Song: Live 1971(2004) Professional ratingsReview scoresSourceRatingAllmusic[1]Rolling Stone[2] Live in 1...
1972–1981 period in the Philippines The Sunday edition of the Philippines Daily Express on September 24, 1972, was the only newspaper published after the announcement of martial law on September 23, the evening prior. This article is part of a series aboutFerdinand Marcos Early life Military career Stonehill scandal Prime Minister Presidency Cult of personality Economy Monopolies Cronies Coco Levy Fund scam Gintong Alay Timeline Communist insurgency Moro conflict First term 1965 election 1s...
Japanese manga series This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: Ultimo manga – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (February 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) UltimoJapanese cover of Ultimo Vol. 1機巧童子ULTIMO(Karakuri Dōji Urutimo)GenreAction,[1] mec...
1989 video game This article is about the 1989 Game Boy game. For the similarly named 2010 mobile game, see Final Fantasy Legends: Hikari to Yami no Senshi. 1989 video gameThe Final Fantasy LegendBox art of the North American Game Boy release, titled The Final Fantasy LegendDeveloper(s)SquarePublisher(s)Game BoyJP: Square (1989)NA: Square (1990)NA: Sunsoft (1998)WonderSwanJP: SquareMobile, SwitchSquare EnixDesigner(s)Akitoshi KawazuArtist(s)Takashi TokitaComposer(s)Nobuo UematsuSeriesSaGa[...
Strategi Solo vs Squad di Free Fire: Cara Menang Mudah!