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{{Orphan|date=February 2009}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2018}}
{{Infobox Weapon
{{Infobox weapon
|is_ranged=yes
|is_ranged=yes
|is_UK=yes
|is_UK=yes
|image=
|image=
|caption=
|caption=
|name=Gun, Machine, Rolls-Royce, Experimental
|name=Gun, Machine, Rolls-Royce, Experimental
|type=[[Heavy machine gun]]
|type=[[Heavy machine gun]]
|origin= {{flagcountry|United Kingdom}}
|origin= United Kingdom
|era= WWII
|platform=
|target= Personnel, light-armoured vehicles, aircraft
|design_date= 1940-42
|design_date= 1940-42
|production_date=
|production_date=
Line 16: Line 14:
|used_by=
|used_by=
|wars= [[World War II]]
|wars= [[World War II]]
|spec_type= [[Fully automatic]] [[machine gun]]
|caliber= .50 in (12.7 mm)
|caliber= .50 in (12.7 mm)
|range=1,800 m (2,200 yd)
|range=1,800 m (2,200 yd)
}}
}}


The '''Rolls-Royce Experimental Machine Gun''' was a prototype [[United Kingdom|British]] [[heavy machine gun]], designed by [[Rolls-Royce Limited|Rolls-Royce]] during [[World War II]].
The '''Rolls-Royce Experimental Machine Gun''' was a prototype British [[heavy machine gun]], designed by [[Rolls-Royce Limited|Rolls-Royce]] during [[World War II]].


Rolls-Royce commenced design of a heavy machine gun in early 1940, intended for use in aircraft.<ref> Birch 2000, p. 87</ref> The result was a recoil operated weapon firing [[.50 BMG|.50 Browning]] cartridges. This was evaluated in March 1941 and proved prone to stoppages.<ref name="hogg">Hogg 1990, p.344</ref> A revised gas-operated weapon was designed and built to try and solve these problems.<ref> Birch 2000, p.97</ref>
Britain wanted to equip aircraft with the [[M2 Browning|Browning M2 .50 caliber machine gun]] by buying direct from America, but since this was the main heavy caliber machine gun of the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] and its [[United States Army Air Corps|Air Corps]] none could be spared for export. Thus Rolls-Royce commenced design of a heavy machine gun in early 1940, intended for use in aircraft.<ref>Birch 2000, p. 87</ref> The result was a recoil-operated weapon firing [[.50 BMG|.50 Browning]] cartridges. This was evaluated in March 1941 and proved prone to stoppages.<ref name="hogg">Hogg 1990, p. 344</ref> A revised gas-operated weapon was designed and built to try to solve these problems.<ref>Birch 2000, p. 97</ref>


As well as the .50 inch versions, it was planned to modify the gas operated gun to fire the more powerful [[.55 Boys|.55 inch ammunition]] used in the [[Rifle, Anti-Tank, .55 in, Boys|Boys anti-tank rifle]].<ref> Birch 2000, p.98</ref> All work on the Rolls-Royce machine guns was abandoned in 1942.<ref name="hogg"/>
As well as the .50-inch versions, it was planned to modify the gas-operated gun to fire the more powerful [[.55 Boys|.55-inch ammunition]] used in the [[Rifle, Anti-Tank, .55 in, Boys|Boys anti-tank rifle]].<ref>Birch 2000, p. 98</ref>
All work on the Rolls-Royce machine guns was abandoned in 1942,<ref name="hogg"/> by which time supply of the M2 Browning from the U.S.A. had started.<ref>Birch 2000, p. 94</ref>


==References==
==References==
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{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
;Bibliography
;Bibliography
*Birch, David. ''Rolls-Royce Armament''. Derby, UK: Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust. 2000. ISBN 1-872922-15-5.
*Birch, David. ''Rolls-Royce Armaments''. Derby, UK: Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust. 2000. {{ISBN|1-872922-15-5}}.
*Hogg, Ian V. and Weeks, John S. ''Military Small Arms of the 20th Century''. Iola WI: Krause. 7th Edition, 1990. ISBN 0-87341-824-7.
*Hogg, Ian V. and Weeks, John S. ''Military Small Arms of the 20th Century''. Iola WI: Krause. 7th Edition, 1990. {{ISBN|0-87341-824-7}}.


[[Category:12.7 mm machine guns]]
[[Category:.50 BMG machine guns]]
[[Category:Aircraft guns]]
[[Category:Aircraft guns]]
[[Category:Trial and research firearms]]
[[Category:Trial and research firearms of the United Kingdom]]

[[Category:Military equipment of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Machine guns of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Machine guns of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:World War II machine guns]]
[[Category:World War II machine guns]]
[[Category:Rolls-Royce]]
[[Category:Rolls-Royce]]



{{UK-mil-stub}}
{{UK-mil-stub}}
{{firearm-stub}}
{{machinegun-stub}}

Latest revision as of 09:43, 9 June 2023

Gun, Machine, Rolls-Royce, Experimental
TypeHeavy machine gun
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Service history
In servicePrototype only
WarsWorld War II
Production history
Designed1940-42
Specifications
Calibre.50 in (12.7 mm)
Effective firing range1,800 m (2,200 yd)

The Rolls-Royce Experimental Machine Gun was a prototype British heavy machine gun, designed by Rolls-Royce during World War II.

Britain wanted to equip aircraft with the Browning M2 .50 caliber machine gun by buying direct from America, but since this was the main heavy caliber machine gun of the U.S. Army and its Air Corps none could be spared for export. Thus Rolls-Royce commenced design of a heavy machine gun in early 1940, intended for use in aircraft.[1] The result was a recoil-operated weapon firing .50 Browning cartridges. This was evaluated in March 1941 and proved prone to stoppages.[2] A revised gas-operated weapon was designed and built to try to solve these problems.[3]

As well as the .50-inch versions, it was planned to modify the gas-operated gun to fire the more powerful .55-inch ammunition used in the Boys anti-tank rifle.[4]

All work on the Rolls-Royce machine guns was abandoned in 1942,[2] by which time supply of the M2 Browning from the U.S.A. had started.[5]

References

[edit]
Notes
  1. ^ Birch 2000, p. 87
  2. ^ a b Hogg 1990, p. 344
  3. ^ Birch 2000, p. 97
  4. ^ Birch 2000, p. 98
  5. ^ Birch 2000, p. 94
Bibliography
  • Birch, David. Rolls-Royce Armaments. Derby, UK: Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust. 2000. ISBN 1-872922-15-5.
  • Hogg, Ian V. and Weeks, John S. Military Small Arms of the 20th Century. Iola WI: Krause. 7th Edition, 1990. ISBN 0-87341-824-7.


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