1/48 Vickers K machine gun GB WWII

1/48 Vickers K - light machine gun, Great Britain, pre-war and WWII period, used among others in DB-7 Boston III (A-20G Havoc)

Vickers K machine gun (Vickers Gas Operated - VGO)

The Vickers K machine gun, also known as the Vickers Gas Operated (VGO), was a British light machine gun developed by Vickers-Armstrong in the 1930s. It was derived from the earlier Vickers-Berthier machine gun and was designed specifically for use in aircraft as a defensive weapon with a high rate of fire.

Basic characteristics of the Vickers K:

• Calibre:.303 British (7.7 mm)
• Principle of function.
• Cadence: Very high, usually between 950 and 1200 rounds per minute (adjustable)
• Magazine: Drum magazines with 60 or 100 round capacity (sometimes tested with 300 round magazines)
• Weight: Around 13-14 kg
• Length: Approximately 930 mm

The Vickers K stood out for its high rate of fire, which was crucial for shooters in fast-moving aircraft who had only a brief opportunity to hit the target. Its design, with gas take-off and lightweight moving parts, contributed to this high cadence.

Vickers K and Boston III (Douglas DB-7 / Havoc):

The Douglas DB-7, known as the Boston III in Royal Air Force (RAF) service (and later as the Havoc in various versions), was an American twin-engine light bomber and fighter aircraft. Different versions of this aircraft were armed with different types of machine guns for defensive purposes.

It is likely that some versions of the Boston III may have been equipped with Vickers K machine guns, although the standard armament may have varied depending on the particular variant and period of service. The Vickers K was a fairly common defensive weapon in the RAF in the early days of World War II.

In surviving photographs and historical records, Bostons/Havocys can be found with various armament configurations, including Vickers K in various firing positions (e.g. dorsal gunnery).

Other aircraft using the Vickers K:

The Vickers K was widely used as a defensive weapon in many British aircraft during World War II. Among the most notable were:

• Fairey Battle: A single-engine light bomber, often with a Vickers K in the rear of the cockpit.
• Handley Page Hampden: A twin-engined medium bomber, with Vickers K in various gunports.
• Bristol Blenheim: A twin-engined light bomber, with a Vickers K in the dorsal turret.
• Armstrong Whitworth Whitley: Two-engined heavy bomber, with Vickers K in nose and tail gunnery.
• Fairey Swordfish, Albacore and Barracuda: Fleet Air Arm torpedo and reconnaissance aircraft, with the Vickers K serving as the standard weapon for the telegraph gunner.

Initially, the Vickers K was designed primarily for aircraft, but later, as the shortcomings of other weapons began to be discovered, it found use with ground troops, particularlySpecial Forces such as the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) and the Special Air Service (SAS) mounted it on their vehicles to increase firepower.

The Vickers K was valued for its reliability and high rate of fire, making it an effective weapon in many different roles during World War II. Over time, it was replaced in aviation by the more powerful Browning M1919 machine guns.