The Luftwaffe's 20mm MG FF cannon
Posted by Rb on Saturday, July 21, 2012
Under: Article
20mm MG FF Aircraft Gun
The MG FF was a drum-fed, 20 mm aircraft autocannon, developed in 1936 by Ikaria Werke Berlin of Germany. It was a derivative of the Swiss Oerlikon FF F cannon, itself a development of the German World War I Becker 20 mm cannon, and was designed to be used in fixed or flexible mountings, as both an offensive and a defensive weapon. It saw widespread use in those roles by the German Luftwaffe, particularly during the early stages of World War II, although from 1941 onwards it was gradually replaced by the 20 mm MG151/20.
Restored MG FF sans Drum
The MG FF fired a 134 g projectile with a muzzle velocity of some 600 m/s and a rate of fire of about 520 rounds per minute. The MG FF/M fired a 90 g HE/M (high explosive mine shell) projectile with a muzzle velocity of c. 700 m/s and a rate of fire of c. 540 rounds per minute. AP, HE and incendiary projectiles were also available (115 to 117 g projectiles, 585 m/s, c. 520 rpm) because the mine-shot was not capable of holding incendiary or tracer parts.
20x80RB (MG FF/M Round)
In 1940 the MG FF was adapted to fire a new type of high-capacity, high-explosive shell, the Minegeschoss. This round featured thinner walls that allowed an increased explosive charge but by being lighter and generating less recoil than the earlier style, this new round necessitated modification to the guns recoil system. This new model was designated the MG FF/M and was introduced on the Bf109 E4 and the Bf110 C4 in the Summer of 1940.
The MG FF/M used on the Fw190 with the MG151/20
The MG FF and FF/M saw widespread use in fighters such as the Bf 109 E-3 to F-1, Bf 110 C to F, and Fw 190 A-1 to A-5. The Fw 190 was typically fitted with an inboard pair of MG 151 and an outboard pair of MG FF, although the MG FF were sometimes removed in the field in order to save weight. The cannon was also fitted to bombers such as the Do 217, Ju 88, He 111, Do 17, as well as many other aircraft. Although the MG FF was often replaced with the 20 mm MG 151/20 from 1941 onwards, it saw a come-back in 1943 as the primary Schräge Musik gun in the Bf 110 night fighters, as it perfectly fitted into the rear cockpit.
Loading the MG FF 20mm Aircraft Cannon
Compared to rival designs, such as the Hispano-Suiza HS.404 - which had been developed from the larger Oerlikon FF S - the MG FF had some disadvantages, such as low rate of fire and low muzzle velocity, as well as limited ammunition storage in its drums. On the other hand, it was much lighter and shorter. Wing installation on the Bf109 and Fw190 fighters was not easy, as the drum required substantial space, and as a consequence the ammunition storage was initially reduced to 60 shells per drum. An ammunition drum of 90-round nominal capacity was developed for the Fw 190 A-5, and retrofitted to some earlier variants. There were also experiments with belt fed models but none entered service.
The MG FF was a drum-fed, 20 mm aircraft autocannon, developed in 1936 by Ikaria Werke Berlin of Germany. It was a derivative of the Swiss Oerlikon FF F cannon, itself a development of the German World War I Becker 20 mm cannon, and was designed to be used in fixed or flexible mountings, as both an offensive and a defensive weapon. It saw widespread use in those roles by the German Luftwaffe, particularly during the early stages of World War II, although from 1941 onwards it was gradually replaced by the 20 mm MG151/20.
Restored MG FF sans Drum
The MG FF fired a 134 g projectile with a muzzle velocity of some 600 m/s and a rate of fire of about 520 rounds per minute. The MG FF/M fired a 90 g HE/M (high explosive mine shell) projectile with a muzzle velocity of c. 700 m/s and a rate of fire of c. 540 rounds per minute. AP, HE and incendiary projectiles were also available (115 to 117 g projectiles, 585 m/s, c. 520 rpm) because the mine-shot was not capable of holding incendiary or tracer parts.
20x80RB (MG FF/M Round)
In 1940 the MG FF was adapted to fire a new type of high-capacity, high-explosive shell, the Minegeschoss. This round featured thinner walls that allowed an increased explosive charge but by being lighter and generating less recoil than the earlier style, this new round necessitated modification to the guns recoil system. This new model was designated the MG FF/M and was introduced on the Bf109 E4 and the Bf110 C4 in the Summer of 1940.
The MG FF/M used on the Fw190 with the MG151/20
The MG FF and FF/M saw widespread use in fighters such as the Bf 109 E-3 to F-1, Bf 110 C to F, and Fw 190 A-1 to A-5. The Fw 190 was typically fitted with an inboard pair of MG 151 and an outboard pair of MG FF, although the MG FF were sometimes removed in the field in order to save weight. The cannon was also fitted to bombers such as the Do 217, Ju 88, He 111, Do 17, as well as many other aircraft. Although the MG FF was often replaced with the 20 mm MG 151/20 from 1941 onwards, it saw a come-back in 1943 as the primary Schräge Musik gun in the Bf 110 night fighters, as it perfectly fitted into the rear cockpit.
Loading the MG FF 20mm Aircraft Cannon
Compared to rival designs, such as the Hispano-Suiza HS.404 - which had been developed from the larger Oerlikon FF S - the MG FF had some disadvantages, such as low rate of fire and low muzzle velocity, as well as limited ammunition storage in its drums. On the other hand, it was much lighter and shorter. Wing installation on the Bf109 and Fw190 fighters was not easy, as the drum required substantial space, and as a consequence the ammunition storage was initially reduced to 60 shells per drum. An ammunition drum of 90-round nominal capacity was developed for the Fw 190 A-5, and retrofitted to some earlier variants. There were also experiments with belt fed models but none entered service.
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I began modeling with my Dad in 1963 at age 5 , my first build being a 1/48 Monogram Focke-Wulf 190 that my Pop took great pride in helping me with. In the nearly 50 years since then I have been in and out of scale modeling as the requirements of day to day life have so dictated. Throughout my modeling lifetime, the one constant has been my ability to learn something new with virtually each project and that never ceases to amaze me. Eyesight not as sharp, fingers not as functional but thank God my ability to open a model box, examine the kit and envision the scene that the finished project will compliment, grows stronger each day. Much like that surfer in constant search of that "Perfect Wave", I seek to build that "Perfect Diorama", the one that will survive me for years to come. The one that makes other Modelers "Think".
