What Is the MG 15 and Who Designed and Produced It?
The MG 15 was a German machine gun primarily used during World War II, particularly in aircraft. It was designed and manufactured by the renowned German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall-Borsig. The MG 15 was an air-cooled, belt-fed machine gun chambered in 7.92×57mm Mauser ammunition.
Armament Specifications
- Caliber: 7.92×57mm Mauser
- Type: Air-cooled, belt-fed machine gun
- Weight: Approximately 9.9 kg (21.8 lb) without ammunition
- Length: 1,180 mm (46.5 in)
- Barrel Length: 550 mm (21.7 in)
- Rate of Fire: Approximately 1,000 rounds per minute
- Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 755 m/s (2,477 ft/s)
- Effective Range: Up to 1,000 meters (3,280 ft)
- Feed System: Belt-fed, typically using 75-round belts
- Operating Principle: Recoil operated, full-automatic
- Manufacturer: Rheinmetall-Borsig
Aircraft That Used This Gun
The MG 15 was utilized on numerous German aircraft during World War II, including:
- Junkers Ju 52: The iconic Ju 52 transport aircraft often incorporated the MG 15 in defensive positions to protect against enemy fighters during transport missions.
- Dornier Do 17: The Do 17 reconnaissance aircraft utilized the MG 15 for defensive purposes, enhancing its ability to fend off enemy fighters during reconnaissance missions.
- Junkers Ju 87 Stuka: The infamous dive bomber relied on the MG 131 for defensive firepower during its attacks.
- Heinkel He 111: The He 111 bomber utilized the MG 17 in various defensive positions to fend off enemy fighters during bombing missions.
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 52 Tante Ju
The Junkers Ju 52 was a German transport aircraft designed by Junkers used as both an airliner and deployed during World War II.
Dornier Do 17
The Dornier Do 17 was a German twin-engined light-bomber produced by Dornier for the German Luftwaffe during World War II.
Heinkel He 111
The Heinkel He 111 was a German airliner and bomber described as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” as it presented solely as a civil airliner.
A Short History of the MG 17
The development of the MG 15 began in the early 1930s to provide aircraft with a flexible and lightweight machine gun for both defensive and offensive purposes. Rheinmetall-Borsig designed the MG 15 to be adaptable to various mounting configurations, including flexible mounts for defensive positions and fixed mounts for offensive roles.
Introduced into service in the mid-1930s, the MG 15 quickly became a standard armament for Luftwaffe aircraft. It saw extensive use in various roles, including on bombers, reconnaissance planes, and transport aircraft. The MG 15’s reliability and versatility made it a valuable asset for aircrews engaged in combat operations.
As World War II progressed, the MG 15 continued to serve in its intended roles, although it faced increasing competition from newer machine gun designs with higher rates of fire and improved performance. Despite this, the MG 15 remained in service throughout the war, proving its effectiveness in aerial combat.
