AHC: alternative big automatic weapons, 1935-55

Draconis

I don't know if early 1940s metallurgy would have enabled the earlier development of the M39 but if it had it would have been the best air to air cannon of WW2.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M39_cannon

220px-F-5_IMG_6112.jpg
 

tomo pauk

Aber said:
Molins 57mm with autoloader

Click to expand...

Perhaps as an AA gun, obviously on a suitable mount?

Draconis said:
I don't know if early 1940s metallurgy would have enabled the earlier development of the M39 but if it had it would have been the best air to air cannon of WW2.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M39_cannon

220px-F-5_IMG_6112.jpg
Click to expand...

Germans designed the MG 213 series of cannons, erstwhile 20mm, then 30mm, the progenitors of modern revolver cannons. Went to 1300 rounds per minute, but probably none fired in anger in ww2.
French and British took notes and developed their own - DEFA and ADEN.
 
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phx1138

What about a 57mm full-auto (akin the 76mm OTO-Melara) turret for WW2 corvettes? Or a 3" for DDs/DEs? Better still, as CV/CA AAA?

And what about a 1930ish revolver gun (think ADEN, based on Colt's idea) in .50/.55/.60 cal for U.S. &/or British aircraft?
 

Some Bloke

tomo pauk said:
Going Oerlikon way avoids possible problems with too short the casing. Coupled with earlier availbility vs. French Hispano, let alone vs. British Hispano, this might lead to having 20mm cannons already in US arsenal much before the war. USA did bought license for the big Oerlikon, the FFS, albeit a bit late, and used it mostly on ships.
Oerlikon FFL or FFF might also be good choices for the RAF, meaning cannon-armed Hurricanes and Spitfires already in 1939. Going for FFL or FFF also allows for more ammo to be carried for same weight and volume alloted vs. Hispano, plus the same cannons were smaller and lighter than Hispano.

http://www.quarryhs.co.uk/OeFFL.htm

For the RAF, the Vickers 0.50in is also an option, be it in fixed or movable installation.
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Maybe greater interest in the Vickers-Bethier series leading to more development and a belt fed variant.
 

Some Bloke

Earlier Vickers acquisition of the Coventry Ordnance works (maybe 1929/30?).
Vickers develops the COW gun to take the 2 pounder Pom Pom belt feed as well as the shell when they develop the Vickers S.

Perhaps here you could have a replacement for the Pom Pom, maybe butterfly away Britain's adoption of the Oerlikon.

Maybe more development for the HE shell for the 2 pounder tank gun.
 
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