Shdo posted 01-18-99 02:43 AM ET (US)        

I was flying a A6M3 today and I put a 2 second burst into a Ju52 from d1. The resault? nothing, nada, zip. Now I know the IJA/IJN early war 20mm's had a lower muzzle volocity but unless they had a smaller explosive component they still should do the same damage as a German cannon of the same size. They don't. Yep the 7.7mm mg's will do just about squat but the 20's should shread when they hit and they don't.

shdo

Rebel posted 01-18-99 02:57 AM ET (US)            

The Japanese 20mm cannon had a significant lower rate of fire. Lower rate of fire=less lethiality(less rounds hitting the target). This is from what I've been told, and limited reading. I could be wrong, but if I'm right, then the Japanese cannon had about 1/2 the ROF as the Hispano, or any of the German MK's. You also have to take into consideration that this zero you're flyin is kinda early model. This translates directly into the technology at the time....indeed the A6m's were the first aircraft of the war to even USE 20mm. Played hell with our Wildcats. The KI-84's cannons however.....heheheh "BOOM!"

-Rebel out-

487th Lil' Bastards

VV!

llbm_MOL posted 01-18-99 03:21 AM ET (US)            

It could also be that your cannons are dropping under your machine gun fire and missing while only you machine guns hit. The zero cannons DROP quick, alot quicker than the machinegun rounds. But if you were at D1 then this prolly wasnt it. Sounds like its the rate of fire.

LLBM OUT!!

gatt posted 01-18-99 06:56 AM ET (US)            

Rebel and llbm are both right. The Zeke 20mm cannon is very similar to the old FF 20mm cannon mounted on the Bf109E, the Bf110C and the Fw190A4 (outer pair of cannons).

Compared to later Mauser MG151-20 it had a lower rate of fire and above all a smaller range. Probably Shdo 7,7mm shells hit the Ju52 while 20mm shells went underneath the ship.

The effect is particularly weird shooting with the 190A4, with 7,7mm, MG151-20mm and FF20mm all togheter.

Regards,

Gatt