Luftwaffe gun camera footage

[Greybeard]

Hello Guys,

Well, there is alot of other factors involved with effective range of a weapon than just how far a gun can shoot..

on a bench rest a .50cal has an effective range of well over a mile.. (1.6km)..

the cannon on most aircraft we very abreviated versions of something that might be use on the ground.. and had an effective range from the bench much less than a .50BMG.. slower muzzle velocity and slower rate of fire..

But.. when you are shooting from a relatively stable platform of a fighter plane.. with a superior sighting system, and not fighting the effects of a slip stream blowing your bullets off-course.. and your target is 3-4 times larger than you are..

then, absolutely.. the incoming fighters enjoyed a big advantage over the crew served .50's in a bomber.. as the effective range of the .50 drops to less than 500 yds.. and the fighter can sit back at greater ranges and plug away..

thankfully the qty of shells that the Germans carried in those 20 and 30mm guns was very limited..

the twin engine night fighters carried alot more ammo.. but were easy meat targets for escorting fighters.. but before there were escorts.. :(

Greybeard