What Is the MG 131 and Who Designed and Produced It?
The MG 131 was a German-designed machine gun primarily used during World War II. It was a belt-fed, air-cooled weapon chambered in 13x64mmB ammunition. The gun was designed by the German arms manufacturer Mauser, renowned for its contributions to firearms technology.
Armament Specifications
- Caliber: 13x64mmB
- Type: Belt-fed, air-cooled machine gun
- Weight: Approximately 16.3 kg (36 lb) without ammunition
- Length: 1,229 mm (48.4 in)
- Barrel Length: 730 mm (28.7 in)
- Rate of Fire: Approximately 900-1,200 rounds per minute
- Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 720 m/s (2,362 ft/s)
- Effective Range: Up to 1,000 meters (3,280 ft)
- Feed System: Belt-fed, typically using 50 or 100-round belts
- Operating Principle: Recoil operated, full-automatic
- Mounting: Typically installed in fixed or flexible mounts on aircraft, including wing mounts and turret installations
- Manufacturer: Designed and produced by Mauser
Aircraft That Used This Gun
The MG 131 was utilized on various German aircraft throughout World War II. Some of the notable aircraft that were equipped with the MG 131 included:
- Messerschmitt Bf 109: One of the most famous German fighter aircraft of the war, the Bf 109 commonly featured the MG 131 as its primary armament.
- Focke-Wulf Fw 190: Another iconic German fighter, the Fw 190 often carried the MG 131 in its wing-mounted armament.
- Junkers Ju 87 Stuka: The infamous dive bomber relied on the MG 131 for defensive firepower during its attacks.
- Junkers Ju 88: This versatile German bomber frequently employed the MG 131 in various defensive positions to fend off enemy fighters.
Junkers Ju 87 Stuka
The Junkers Ju 87 was a German Luftwaffe dive bomber and ground-attack aircraft first flown in 1935 and used during World War II.
Junkers Ju 88
The Junkers Ju 88 was a German Luftwaffe twin-engined multirole combat aircraft introduced in 1939 and used widely during World War II.
Focke-Wulf Fw 190
The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 was a German single-seat, single-engine fighter aircraft and the backbone of the Jagdwaffe of the Luftwaffe.
Messerschmitt Bf 109
The Messerschmitt Bf 109 is a German fighter aircraft and the backbone of the Luftwaffe’s force during World War II.
These aircraft, among others, relied on the MG 131 to provide both offensive and defensive capabilities during combat missions throughout World War II.
A Short History of the MG 131
Development of the MG 131 began in the late 1930s, as the German military sought a replacement for the MG 17 machine gun. Mauser was tasked with designing a more powerful weapon capable of greater firepower and range. The resulting MG 131 entered service in 1940 and quickly became a staple armament for various Luftwaffe aircraft.
The MG 131 was praised for its reliability and effectiveness, particularly in its role as an offensive armament for aircraft. Its robust construction allowed it to withstand the rigors of aerial combat, and its relatively high rate of fire made it a formidable weapon against enemy aircraft.
Despite its effectiveness, the MG 131 faced some challenges during its production and deployment. As the war progressed and Germany faced shortages of resources and skilled labor, manufacturing the MG 131 became increasingly difficult. Additionally, Allied air superiority and advances in aircraft technology meant that Luftwaffe planes equipped with the MG 131 often faced superior adversaries.
