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in: Autocannons, Aircraft weapons, Prototypes

MK 214

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The MK 214 (Maschinenkanone 214) was a 50mm calibre autocannon designed by Mauser for use on the Messerschmitt Me 262 and Me 410 bomber-destroyers.

History[]

Designed alongside Rheinmetall-Borsig's BK 5 cannon and adapted from the 5cm Pak 38 (L/60) anti-tank gun, the original MK 214 was slated to be the armament of the Messerschmitt Me 262A-1a/U4. It proved to have a very complex construction, being composed of a particularly high number of individual components.

Initial trials with the MK 214 revealed that it was too complicated for aircraft installation, thus the refined MK 214A was developed. Flight tests for the weapon were carried out from February 1945 by Karl Baur, but it was not deployed operationally.

Design Details[]

The weapon was fed ammunition from the left-hand side. The casing was released by the ejector, which opened a wedge catch. This catch locked into place while the loading platform ran back into its resting position, ready to load the next round. At this point, the firing sequence for the first round could take place. Two electrical contacts closed in preparation for shell ejection, and these were activated by the interlocking of the wedge, and also by the loading platform being in its stationary default position. These switches operated the electric ignition of the cartridge, which in turn fired the weapon. At this stage, the ejector opened, and moved the wedge catch, allowing the ejection of the spent casing. The 2,400 kg recoil of the weapon was alleviated by a hydraulic damper. The renewed introduction of the loading procedure took place pneumatically.

The more distinctive characteristics in the increased cyclic rate, which demanded a significant amount of effort from Dipl Ing. Lindbau, one of the best weapons design teams in the Mauser firm. The ammo belt follows the contour of the triangular shaped nose of the Me 262. As a result, it could carry more ammo than the BK 5's 22-round capacity.

Variants[]

  • MK 214 - Original version, which proved to be too complex due to its high number of individual components, at 390 of them.
  • MK 214A - Refined version.
  • 5cm FlaK 41 - 50mm anti-aircraft gun.
  • 5cm FlaK 214 - 50mm anti-aircraft gun.

See also[]

  • 5cm Pak 38 (L/60) - The anti-tank gun which the MK 214 was based on.

References[]

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