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Description: | The Vickers Mk 1* machine-gun was a variant of the Vickers issued to the British Army (see FIR 8032) intended purely for air use. Initially the British had perceived the Lewis gun (see FIR 9126) as the pre-eminent weapon for aircraft. This view changed in 1915, after the appearance of the German Fokker E1, with a machine-gun synchronized to fire through its propellor arc.
It was impossible to synchronize a gas-operated gun like the Lewis, so, after the development of suitable synchronization gear, the Vickers was fitted on, or in, the front fuselage of a variety of allied aircraft from 1916 onwards.
This particular weapon was produced early in 1917. It has not undergone modification for use as a synchronized gun and is not fitted with the extended cocking handle which was necessary to charge weapons mounted in front of a pilot.
Produced between January and March 1917. Possibly intended for use in pusher-type aircraft as it lacks auxiliary cocking handle and any adaptation for synchronizer gear.
3 sets of 9 louvres cut in water jacket, filler/drain plugs removed, rear sight removed, fusee spring assembly fitted with cogs and rod to enable adjustment of tension from cockpit.
Master | Publisher: | http://www.iwm.org.uk | Source: | Imperial War Museum | Creator: | Vickers Ltd, Erith, Kent | Identifier: | http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/o... | Go to resource |
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