Originally posted by Kweassa
On the contrary, while a bit poorer in ballistics, the MG151/20 mounted on the F-4 really shows a difference - the HE rounds are much more efficient in overall effect compared to the 15mm AP rounds.
Yeah, I can totally understand and agree with this (which is why most US fighters has 6 .50s, instead of 2-4). However, I was under the impression that the MG151/15 fired HE rounds, which while not as explosive as the 20mm version, still packed a chemical charge offering a greater effect than a single 12.7 AP round.
With this in mind, given the muzzle velocity and ROF, the 151/15 sure looked like it could reach out and touch someone much better than the 151/20 which was a slower and heavery round.
For taking out bombers, where they are large targets that were not maneuvering, I'll take a 20-30mm cannon every time (actually, I'll take the NS-37 but that's just me
), but for engaging fighters, imagining a 15mm HE shell with that ROF and MV is pretty tantilizing. However, if it didn't see widespread service in a 3-4 gun configureation then there's really no point in my getting all coozy about it lol.
-Sik
