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Posted on 08/29/2003 4:55:59 AM PDT by snippy_about_it
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 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
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M2 Machine Gun "MA DEUCE"   M2 .50 on U.S.Navy river patrol boat (PBR), Go Cong River January 1967  Browning machinegun, Cal. .50 HB, M2 The belt feed mechanism uses disintegrating links and, by repositioning parts, can be adjusted for left or right feed. This gun is has a back plate with spade grips, trigger, and bolt latch release.The M2 is equipped with leaf-type rear sight, flash suppressor and a spare barrel assembly. By repositioning some of the component parts, ammunition may be fed from either the left or right side. A disintegrating metallic link-belt is used to feed the ammunition into the weapon.  The gun is capable of single-shot (ground M2), as well as fully automatic fire. As a heavy firearm it requires either a tripod mount (weighing in excess of 30 pounds) or other means of mounting. The weapon provides automatic weapon suppressive fire for offensive and defensive purposes. This weapon can be used effectively against personnel, light armored vehicles; low, slow flying aircraft; and small boats.  An American 50-caliber machine gun emplacement helps defend against Japanese air attacks at Guadalcanal. The M2 machine gun on the M3 tripod provides a very stable firing platform. Together with its slow rate of fire and its traversing and elevating mechanism, the M2 was used effectively during the Vietnam war at fixed installations such as firebases. Snipers prefired the weapons at identifiable targets and worked the data into range cards insuring increased first-round accuracy. The 1st battalion, 5th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division constructed 20-30 foot high shooting platforms, adding steel base plates and posts to further stabilize the M2 on the M3 tripod. Together with the use of Starlight night vision scopes, the M2 severely limited enemy movement within 900 yards (1,000m) of the perimeter of a firebase.   M2 in action by US Soldiers The .50 Calibre Browning Machine Gun is a robust and capable weapon and is used in a variety of roles such as close in AA Support and against light surface targets at close range. It is ideal for providing covering fire for boarding parties.  THE BROWNING M2HB is quite simply one of the greatest machine guns ever designed, being efficient and very effective; easy to use and to maintain; and as suitable for installation in a tank turret as on aground tripod or an aircraft.  The M1 tank's .50-caliber machine gun The coolest thing about the M1's weaponry is its advanced fire control system. An array of sensors constantly monitors the tank's tilt, the turret's motion and any gusts of wind, and a computer adjusts the gun accordingly to keep it aimed at its target. With this system, the M1 can take out other tanks while it's on the move. Less sophisticated tanks have to come to a full stop to hit targets reliably. Further, it has been in front- line service for five decades and there is a large range of widely available ammunitton. Like all weapons, the design started with the cartridge.  An M2 Browning water-cooled .50-caliber machine gun is depicted in an antiaircraft-artillery (AAA) configuration on a three-legged-tripod—upported gooseneck pedestal mount. Note the spade grip configuration usually seen on this weapon. This gun is in action (the water hook-ups are attached). A spare drum magazine can be seen behind the gunner at the far right. This photograph was taken during the Operation Husky invasion of Sicily from early July to mid-August 1943. When the United States Army arrived in france in 1917 it found a need for a machine gun firing a larger round than that used in contemporary rifles, which was required not only for use against troops but also for new tasks such as attacking tanks, balloons, and aircraft. It proved impossible to convert any US weapon to take the 0.43in (I 1mm) round then being tested b'y the french, but at that point the US Army happened to capture some new Mauser anti-tank rifles with their ammunition.The excellence of the round was quickly recognized and a new United States O.5O" cartridge was rapidly developed along the same lines. At the same time John Browning, one of the most famous gunsmiths in history, was called in to develop a weapon to take this new round, which resulted in the M1921AI machine gun.The design was refined in the early 1930s which led to the M2, but this was limited by barrel life, and a new, much sturdier barrel was quickly produced, resulting in the definitive M2HB (HB = heavy barrel).  The M2HB has seen service in fixed-wing aircraft; helicopters; a multitude of trucks and field cars such as jeeps. Land Rovers, fast strike vehicles and HMMWVs;as well as APCs and tanks. It has been manufactured in vast numbers and is still widely used, since its O.5O" high velocity round has both considerable range, greater carrying capacity than the 5.56mm rounds now used in rifles and light machine guns, as well as great accuracy since it is highly resistant to wind drift.  M2 .50 -.50 on PBR in Vietnam The ammunition is widely available, having been manufactured in some 30 countries, and is still in production in at least 10 of them.  There is also a vast range of natures (ie, different types) with some countries still devoting research effort to producing new 0.50 caliber rounds.  One of the most recent of these developments was the Saboted Light Armor Penetrator (SLAP) round developed by the US Marine Corps in the middle and late 1980s. This uses a sub-caliber (0.30in [7.62mm]) tungsten carbide penetrator carried in a 0.50in (12.7mm) sabot, which breaks away as the round exits from the muzzle.This results in the penetrator having a much increased velocity (3,985ft/s [l,215m/s] compared to 2,900ft/s [883m/s]) giving it a very flat trajectory, thus enhancing both hit probability and armor penetration. SLAP rounds were used with great success during their operational debut in Operation Desert Storm in 1991.   SLAP ammunition is completely interoperable with M2 machine guns, but requires one of the new type of chrome-plated, stellite-lined barrels. Upgrade kits are also being marketed, mostly concentrating on quick-change, longer-life barrels fitted with noise suppressors. Indeed, the only challenge of any significance to the M2HB is coming from the new heavy cannon, such as the McDonnell Douglas ASP 30mm,although these are very much larger and considerably heavier.  Another view of an M2 Browning water-cooled .50 caliber machine gun in an AAA configuration on a three-legged pedestal mount. Note the cradle for the operator to lean into and compare to the spade grips in the above photo. No water hookups are visible, but the ground directly beneath the mount is littered with expended shell casings. The photo was also taken in Sicily during 1943.  A U.S. soldier of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) mans a .50-caliber machine gun during Operation ANACONDA combat in the Shah-e-kot mountains in eastern Afghanistan.  Sgt. Douglas D. Tompkins of Jud, North Dakota, Tank Company, 5th RCT, 24th U.S. Infantry Division, fires a .50 caliber machine gun at Communist-held positions during an assault against the Chinese Communist forces along the east central front, Korea. 14 July 1951.  Loading Mustang      |
If I had one of those they roads would be a lot less crowded here.
Yep those scenes of that armoured column driving through Baghdad taking out any vehicles that came close were fascinating.
Armored cruisers could be considered the first step to the battle cruiser. In theory, they were both designed to do the same job: scout for the fleet, destroy enemy cruisers, and operate independently of the battle fleet. Armored cruisers were larger and faster than battleships, but more lightly armed and armored. The larger size came from having larger engines for more speed. Battle cruisers were larger and faster than battleships, had the same armament as battleships, but were lightly armored. Battle cruisers were susposed to be used just like the armored cruisers, however, with those big guns Admirals just couldn't resist putting them in the battle line along side the battleships. The results were disasterous for the battle cruisers. Britian lost three in one day at Jutland during WWI, and in WWII the Bismark finished off the Hood in only 5 minutes .
The German pocket battleships were officially called Armored Ships by the Germans and were designed mainly to be commerce destroyers.
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Air Power |
The OV-10 Bronco was a multi-purpose, light attack aircraft acquired by the Marine Corp for observation squadrons to conduct visual reconnaissance missions. The OV-10A is a twin-turboprop short takeoff and landing aircraft conceived by the Marine Corps and developed under an Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps tri-service program.
In October 1964, the Navy awarded a contract to North American to design a Light Armed Reconnaissance Aircraft (LARA) for the Marine Corps. Two years later, the LARA had developed into a tri-service program to provide a Counter-Insurgency (COIN) aircraft for the United States Armed Forces. The first production OV-10A was ordered in 1966 and its initial flight took place in August 1967. HML-267 accepted the first article for the Marine Corps in February 1968. A total of 356 Broncos were accepted for Navy and Marine Corps use and for foreign military sales.
The OV-10 can be used for short take-offs and landings on aircraft carriers without the use of catapults. With the second seat removed, it can carry 3,200 pounds of cargo, five paratroopers or two litter patients and an attendant. Adding to its versatility is a rear fuselage compartment with a capacity of 3,200 pounds of cargo, five combat-equipped troops, or two litter patients and a medical attendant.
The Bronco's mission capabilities include observation, forward air control, helicopter escort, armed reconnaissance, gunfire spotting, utility and limited ground attack; however, the USAF acquired the Bronco primarily as a forward air control (FAC) aircraft. The Bronco also provides transportation for aerial radiological reconnaissance, tactical air observers, artillery and naval gunfire spotting and airborne controllers of tactical air support operations. Other tasks include armed escort for helicopters and front line, low-level aerial photography.
The first USAF OV-10As destined for combat arrived in Vietnam on July 31, 1968. A total of 157 OV-10As were delivered to the USAF before production ended in April 1969.
The OV-10 Night Observation Gunship (NOGS) was a USMC OV-10A modified to include a turreted FLIR sensor and turreted M-197 20-mm gun slaved to the FLIR aimpoint. Successful in combat in Vietnam, NOGS evolved into the NOS OV-10D, which included a laser designator.
The OV-10D was the result of an improvement program to produce what was referred to as the OV-10D Plus configuration. Begun in 1988, the -10D included the Service Life Extension Program, which comprised a wide range of engineering change proposals to update the aircraft and improve its performance. Some structural changes were made and avionics equipment was added. The aircraft was night vision capable.
Each of the Marine Corps' two observation squadrons had 18 aircraft, 9 OV-10As and 9 OV-10Ds night observation aircraft. There was also a Marine Air Reserve squadron. The OV-10 was phased out of the Marine Corps in 1995.
Although the United States no longer flies the OV-10, other countries continue to operate the Bronco.
Specifications:
Contractor: North American (some say Grumman too)
Primary Function: Multi-Role support Aircraft
Power Plant: Two 715-shp Garrett Air Research turboprops
Crew: Two
Dimensions:
Wing Span: 40 ft 4 in
Wing Area: 291 sq ft
Length: 41 ft 6 in
Height: 15 ft 1 in
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 14,444 lbs
Empty Weight: 6,921 lbs
Performance :
Max Speed: 281 mph
Cruising speed: 223 mph.
Range: 1,240 miles
Service Ceiling: 26,000 ft.
Armaments:
Four 7.62-mm guns, or 4 x 0.50 cal machine guns
And 3,600 lbs. of mixed ordnance consisting of:
AIM-9 Side-winders, rockets, bombs, external gun pods.
All photos Copyright of Global Security.Org
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President Bush is a Real Doll
 A miniature replica of U.S. President George W. Bush attired in the naval aviator flight uniform, depicting what he wore when he landed on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to declare an end to major combat in Iraq, is displayed in Hong Kong August 29, 2003 next to an earlier letter from Bush. A Hong Kong toy company has shipped about 35,000 pieces of such one-to-six scale dolls to the U.S. and other countries   
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"There seems to be something wrong with our bloody ships today..." remarked Admiral David Beatty to his Flag Captain. Beatty was commander of the Battle Cruiser Fleet at Jutland, and his cool comment belied the scale of the catastrophe. It was 4.26 pm on May 31, 1916 and from the upper bridge of the battle-cruiser Lion he had just seen her sister ship, Queen Mary, disappear in a shattering blast as both main magazines exploded. Twenty minutes earlier another battle-cruiser, the Indefatigable, had vanished in a sheet of smoke and flame and, although Beatty did not know it at the time, the Lion herself had narrowly missed a similar fate only by flooding her Q turret magazine with sea water.
At the Battle of Jutland, the greatest sea battle of all time, the British Navy would lose three battle-cruisers carrying over three thousand men in less than three hours. It was not bad luck, it was bad management: the result of the Navy's inability to manage a complex system from design through to execution. For the roots of the disaster lay in the design of the ships over a decade earlier. Thus the problem was systemic and Beatty's puzzled comment represents one of the more dramatic instances of the bewildered reaction of a CEO to symptoms of systemic problems in the field.
Battle-cruisers like the Lion were the pride of the Navy. Known affectionately as the "big cats", they were armed almost as heavily as battleships and could reach speeds of over 27 knots. In the pursuit of speed and firepower, however, protection had to suffer and the battle-cruisers had only thinly-armoured decks. Their speed, their designers thought, would keep them out of trouble. Their thin armour and emphasis on speed created an aura of risk-taking and, not unlike our modern day astronauts, the sailors who served on them enjoyed high status.
The compromises designed into the battle-cruisers were compounded by modifications made to them to accommodate the Navy's peacetime gunnery practices. Managers usually try to optimize the variables that they can measure most easily, and the Navy was no exception. They had developed a cult of rapid fire, for rate of fire was easily measured and as a "benchmark" it allowed intense gunnery competition among all ships and squadrons in the fleet. In their efforts to feed the guns with charges from the magazines, however, gun crews began to eliminate the anti-flash baffles that slowed the process. At first they left the flash doors open but over time, as word spread about the performance benefits of the practice, some were removed completely. Protection is hard to test in peacetime and no one realized that the battle-cruisers were now dangerously vulnerable. If a shell were to penetrate the main turret armour, the resulting explosion was likely to flash down the ammunition hoist to the main cordite stores in the magazines below.
The third systemic factor which sealed the fate of the battle-cruisers at Jutland was the way they were deployed. If speed was critical and deck armour thin, then the battle-cruisers would do best in high-speed encounters at relatively close range, where the flat trajectory of enemy fire would encounter their thicker side armour. This was not to be the case. It had been a century since the British Navy had fought its last major sea battle at Trafalgar and Nelsonian initiative was not common among the senior officers. The technology of naval warfare had changed enormously and was largely untested in combat. There was horror of losing a ship and this conservatism was abetted by the recent introduction of the wireless and the organizational centralization that accompanied it. As a result, the battle-cruisers were held in a long range gunnery duel in line of battle, where their speed was of little help and their decks were exposed to plunging projectiles fired on high trajectories. On May 31, 1916 the systems loop had closed and disaster was at hand. Perversely, in their efforts to preserve the battle-cruisers from destruction, their commanders had actually made them more vulnerable to catastrophe.
G.I. George!
KEWL!!!!
I've been far too busy to get the 2nd half completed.
I should be able to get them done after Labor Day.
The story of my life....
GLOOM, DESPAIR AND AGONY ON ME....
Back in the post-Vietnam Army I had my armorer take out the ground mounted .50 cal for some familiarization fire. I found out just too late the guy didn't have a clue you had to set the head space and timing and apparently had never been taught the skill. So, not even the M-2 is completely soldier proof.
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