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MG 17 - Maschinengewehr 17
Manufacturer: Rhienmetall Borsig
Number built: 24,271
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Year of Design: 1934
Produced: 1934-1944
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Specifications:
Caliber: 7.9mm
Action: Recoil
Feed Type: Belt
Weight: 22 lb. (10.2kg)
Length: 46.3 in (1,175mm)
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Barrel Length: N/A
Muzzle Velocity:
- Phosphor "B" Round: 2,810fps (855mps)
- AP Tracer: 2,970fps (905mps)
Effective Range: N/A
Rate Of Fire: 1,200 rpm
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A mainstay fixed machine gun in German built aircraft (many of which were sold to other countries) well before World War II, by 1940 it was starting to be replaced with heavier caliber machine gun and cannons. By 1945 very few if any aircraft mounted the MG 17.
Two MG 17's mounted in the nose of a Fw 190
The MG 17 was installed in the Messerschmitt Bf 109, Messerschmitt Bf 110, Focke-Wulf Fw 190, Junkers Ju 87, Junkers Ju 88C Nightfighter, Heinkel He 111, Dornier Do 17/215 Nightfighter, Focke-Wulf Fw 189 and many other aircraft. Many MG 17s were later modified for infantry use as heavier weapons replaced them on Luftwaffe aircraft. Official numbers of conversions was about 24,271 by January 1, 1944, although additional conversions may have been done as well.
Source:
Wikipedia
German Aircraft and Armament: Informational Intelligence, Summary No. 44-32, October 1944
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