What Is the MG FF Cannon and Who Designed and Produced It?
The MG FF (Maschinengewehr Flügel Fest, meaning “wing-mounted fixed machine gun”) was an aircraft autocannon developed by Mauser during the 1930s. It was designed to provide heavy firepower for German Luftwaffe aircraft during the early stages of World War II. The MG FF was initially manufactured by Rheinmetall-Borsig, but production later shifted to Mauser.
Armament Specifications
- Caliber: 20mm
- Action: Recoil-operated, air-cooled
- Rate of fire: Approximately 520-540 rounds per minute
- Muzzle velocity: Approximately 690 meters per second (2,260 feet per second)
- Weight: Approximately 42 kilograms (93 pounds)
- Length: Approximately 1.5 meters (59 inches)
Aircraft That Used This Gun
The MG FF cannon was utilized on various German aircraft throughout World War II, including:
Messerschmitt Bf 109: The iconic Bf 109 fighter was one of the most widely used aircraft by the Luftwaffe during World War II. It typically mounted two MG FF cannons in the wings, along with two synchronized machine guns mounted above the engine. The MG FF provided additional firepower for engaging enemy aircraft and ground targets.
Focke-Wulf Fw 190: The Fw 190 was another prominent fighter aircraft of the Luftwaffe, known for its ruggedness and firepower. Early variants of the Fw 190 were equipped with two MG FF cannons in the wing roots, complemented by two synchronized machine guns mounted above the engine cowling. The MG FF enhanced the Fw 190’s combat effectiveness in air-to-air and ground attack missions.
Junkers Ju 87 Stuka: The Ju 87 Stuka was a German dive bomber famous for its distinctive inverted gull wings and screaming sirens. Some variants of the Ju 87 were fitted with wing-mounted MG FF cannons to provide additional firepower during ground attack missions. The MG FF was used to strafe enemy troops, vehicles, and emplacements with high-explosive shells.
Junkers Ju 88: The Ju 88 was a versatile twin-engine bomber used by the Luftwaffe for various roles, including level bombing, torpedo bombing, and reconnaissance. Some variants of the Ju 88 were equipped with MG FF cannons in flexible mounts for defensive purposes. The MG FF was used to fend off enemy fighters during bomber escort missions and to engage enemy aircraft in dogfights.
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.
A Short History of the MG FF Cannon
The MG FF cannon entered service with the Luftwaffe in the late 1930s and saw extensive use during the early years of World War II. It was employed on various fighter, bomber, and ground-attack aircraft, providing heavy firepower against both air and ground targets.
However, by the mid-war period, the MG FF began to be replaced by more advanced autocannon designs, such as the MG 151/20. Despite its eventual obsolescence, the MG FF played a significant role in shaping the early air combat tactics of the Luftwaffe and contributed to Germany’s aerial successes during the early stages of World War II.
