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Type 97 aircraft machine gun

Navy Type 97 7.7 mm fixed aircraft machine gun
A Navy Type 97 fixed aircraft machine gun
TypeLight machine gun
Place of originEmpire of Japan
Service history
In service1937–1945
Used byImperial Japanese Navy
WarsSecond Sino-Japanese War, World War II
Production history
Designed1937
ManufacturerKK Nihon Seikoujo[1]
Suzuka Naval Arsenal[1]
Toyokawa Naval Arsenal[1]
Produced1937–1945
Specifications
Mass12.6 kg (28 lb)
Length1,033 mm (40.7 in)
Barrel length600 mm (24 in)
Cartridge7.7x56mmR
Cartridge weight6.9 g (106 gr) projectile weight
ActionShort recoil toggle locked
Rate of fire900 RPM
600–700 RPM (synchronized)
Muzzle velocity745 m/s (2,444 ft/s)
Effective firing range600 m (2,000 ft)
Feed systemBelt
ReferencesThe WWII Fighter Gun Debate: Gun Tables[2]

The Type 97 aircraft machine gun (九七式七粍七固定機銃) was the standard fixed light machine gun on aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. This weapon was not related to the Type 97 heavy tank machine gun used by the Imperial Japanese Army in armored vehicles, or the Type 97 automatic cannon used as an anti-tank rifle.

Design

The 'Navy Type 97 aircraft machine gun' was similar to the 'Army Type 89 machine gun', being a licensed copy of the Vickers Class E machine gun. It was highly suitable for synchronization and was used as the cowling armament on the A6M Zero. However, the Type 97 remained chambered for the British 0.303 in (7.7 mm) cartridge and the Type 89 was chambered for a new 0.303 in (7.7 mm) cartridge developed in Japan, making their ammunition non-interchangeable.[1]

Deployment

Type 97 with bipod and spade grips for field use, captured by Australian troops in Balikpapan, July 1945

The Type 97 came into service in 1937, and was used in the Nakajima B6N, Yokosuka K5Y, Yokosuka D4Y, Aichi D3A, Aichi E16A, Kawanishi E7K, Kawanishi N1K and its land-based derivative, the N1K-J, Mitsubishi J2M, Mitsubishi F1M2, in addition to the Mitsubishi A6M Zero and its floatplane derivative, the Nakajima A6M2-N.[3] The Type 97 also has been used by the ground troops with modification by adding bipod and spade grip.[4] Indonesian Republican forces used ex-Japanese Type 97s for ground use during the Indonesian National Revolution.[5]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Type 97 aircraft machine gun.

References

  1. ^ a b c d Mikesh, Robert C. (2004). Japanese Aircraft Equipment 1940-1945. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Military History. ISBN 0-7643-2097-1.
  2. ^ Gustin, Emmanuel. "The WWII Fighter Gun Debate: Gun Tables". users.skynet.be. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  3. ^ Francillon, Rene J. (1970). Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. Naval Institute Press. p. 531, 268-492. ISBN 0-87021-313-X.
  4. ^ "Type 97 Aircraft Machine Gun". awm.gov.au.
  5. ^ Lohnstein, Marc (2023). The Dutch–Indonesian War 1945–49: Armies of the Indonesian War of Independence. Osprey Publishing Ltd. p. 44. ISBN 978-1472-8547-42.


Further reading

  • Williams, Anthony G. & Gustin, Emmanuel (2003). Flying Guns: The development of aircraft guns, ammunition and installations 1933-45. Airlife. ISBN 978-1-84037-227-4.


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