War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

P-51D-30

2020-05-18T17:58:02Z

U35380339: /* Details */ I saw the flap limit, and speed limit, and thought: "That's BS. I regularly exceed 750km/h in this aircraft when I'm running away from someone, and I recently did a test flight where I extended combat flaps at 672 km/h and they didn't break.

{{Specs-Card
|code=p-51d-30_usaaf_korea
|cockpit=370268/1264441
}}
{{About
| about = American fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = P-51 (Family)
}}

== Description ==


[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was added to the game as of [[Update 1.33]].

The P-51D was a further development of earlier Allison-engined P51s in that it received the excellent Rolls-Royce Merlin engine which gave it excellent high-altitude performance. This, combined with excellent endurance, made the P51 well-suited for bomber escort duties.

== General info ==
=== Flight Performance ===

In-game, the P-51D-30 runs a 75" boost that allows it to outspeed nearly every single vehicle at 5.0 BR. It possesses an excellent climb rate and good high-speed handling which makes it extremely well suited for Boom and Zoom. Additionally, bombs and rockets can be carried making the P51 a good ground striker in Ground RB.

* Use this plane as a Boom & Zoom fighter. Altitude and speed are your biggest friends while in combat.
* The P-51D has a laminar flow wing, hence it is fast and very agile at high speeds. The laminar flow wing reducing drag especially when going fast, which means that the aircraft turns best at high speeds.
* The P-51D out dives nearly all opponents at 5.0, and is also very agile at high speeds.
* The plane has a great endurance with its 1,880 rounds of ammo and 27 minutes of fuel minimum. Use this to your advantage.
* It has a very high stall speed. You'd be better off to not stall in this plane. Only do it when necessary and when you know you're safe to do it.
* .50 cals are extremely effective and long range head-on shots are very viable.
* The P-51D-30 is not a turn fighter but is definitely manoeuvrable enough to dogfight at high speed.
* Optimal climb speed is 250 kph IAS.
* It's recommended to use Manual Engine Control with the P-51D-30. The D-30 has indefinite WEP and Meredith Effect modelled so radiator drag at high speeds is not an issue
* If using MEC, Supercharger Gear 2 should be engaged at 3,300 m.
* The flaps are so strong you can deploy them in pretty much any situation in a dogfight. And even at 700+km/h, it takes a little bit of time for your flaps to break.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 6,400 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
|-
| 689 || 670 || 12,700 || 21.4 || 21.8 || 15.8 || 18.2 || 396
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 6,400 m)
! rowspan="2" |Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
|-
| 761 || 721 || 12,700 || 19.1 || 20.0 || 33.0 || 22.7 || 396
|-
|}

====Details====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flap
! Take-off flap
! Landing flap
! Air brakes
! Arrestor gear
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Combat flap (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! +
! -
|-
| -800 || 362 || >672 || ~11 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
|-
! Ailerons (km/h)
! Rudder (km/h)
! Elevators (km/h)
! Radiator (km/h)
|-
| < 500 || < 300 || < 500 || > 400
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 2,400 m || 1,580 hp || 1,959 hp
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 2
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 6,400 m || 1,370 hp || 1,699 hp
|-

|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


* 38 mm Bulletproof glass in front of the pilot.
* 19.05 mm Steel plate in front of the engine.
* 6.35 mm Steel plate between the engine and pilot.
* 15.87 mm Steel plate behind the pilot.

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

{{main|Browning M2 (12.7 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 6 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine gun, wing-mounted (400 rpg inner, 270 outer x2 = 1,880 total)

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)|HVAR|M8}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordinances:

* Without load
* 6 x 127 mm HVAR rockets
* 2 x 1000 lbs AN-M65A1 bombs
* 6 x 114 mm M8 rockets

== Usage in battles ==

'''''Offense''''' 
Probably the best assets the P-51D has are its speed, weaponry, and energy retention. In game and in real life the P-51D achieves ideal performance above 7 km; however, even at low altitudes, the P-51 is still incredibly fast. If one climbs at the ideal speed of 250 kph IAS side climbing is not necessary- a high enough altitude will be achieved by the time the first contact is initiated that the P-51D-30 can simply evade incoming fire and speed away, untouchable.

When an enemy is spotted moving away from the P51-D, enter a mild dive and go for a strafing run. After that, it is important to continue heading in the same direction so the speed is maintained. Doing this, even the most agile fighters won't be able to turn quickly enough to fire on you. If you miss on your strafe run or have an enemy behind you, you should get at least 2+km from the enemy and then start to turn towards him, depending on his speed. If your speed is under 500 kph, a bigger distance should be achieved before attempting a turn. This ensures that your turn will be completed before the enemy gets within 1 km distance before you can line up your shot. Head-ons are actually very effective against fragile/lightly gunned vehicles such as the A6M and Spitfire. The high rate of fire and velocity of the 50 cals make long-range sniping very viable.

When engaging enemy bombers, aim for engines and wings. A good burst will rip off wings with ease and/or start several fires.

'''''Defense''''' 
Shallow dives and altitude are your friends- at 5.0 there is no vehicle short of an Fw 190 D-13 that can catch a P-51D-30 above 5 km. Furthermore, the P-51D-30 is near untouchable in a dive- careful, however, as planes such as the G.55S can and will catch a P-51 in a steep dive. In such a case, initiate a shallow dive which will make use of your superior energy retention and top speed.

Defensive dives are a strong suit of the P-51D as the flaps and airframe are very durable- spiral dives can easily rip the wings of more fragile Bf 109s and Spitfires.

It is possible in arcade to perform Pugachev's Cobra (due to the agility at high speeds) in some situations but should not be attempted unless you are at high speed and know what you are doing as it does require a large amount of skill to pull off successfully.

When flying against others, notable enemies are the Griffon/LF Spitfires, Fw 190 Ds, and Ta 152 H-1s. Each have to be handled accordingly when met: Griffon/LF Spitfires can be outrun, Fw 190 Ds can be out-turned, and Ta 152 Hs can be out-dived.

Due to the speed of the P-51D you may be able to outrun slower vehicles in a straight line (especially above 5 km) such as the Bf 109, Fw 190, and some heavier fighters and most ground attack aircraft. Coupled with light rolling and WEP you should be able to run from most dogfights.

=== Manual Engine Control ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | MEC elements
|-
! rowspan="2" | Mixer
! rowspan="2" | Pitch
! colspan="3" | Radiator
! rowspan="2" | Supercharger
! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger
|-
! Oil !! Water !! Type
|-
| Not controllable || Controllable Not auto controlled || Controllable Auto control available || Controllable Auto control available || Separate || Not controllable 2 gears || Not controllable
|-
|}

===Modules===
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="1" | Tier
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! colspan="1" | Survivability
! colspan="2" | Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage Repair
| Radiator
|
| Offensive 12 mm
|
|-
| II
|
| Compressor
| Airframe
|
| FRC mk.2
|-
| III
| Wings Repair
| Engine
|
| New 12 mm MGs
| Rocket Launcher M10
|-
| IV
| G-Suit
| Engine
| Cover
|
| FLBC mk.1
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Outstanding Boom & Zoom capability
* Great performance at altitude
* Excellent .50 calibre machine guns
* Very fast at all altitudes
* Very agile at high speeds
* Good turn radius at high speeds
* Good cockpit visibility
* Plenty of ammo
* Useful close-support capability (ground attack)
* Refueling isn't something to worry about (27 min)

'''Cons:'''

* Can't sustain much damage
* Catches fire easily
* Sluggish at low speeds
* High stall speed
* Average climb rate
* Minimum fuel load is rather big
* High repair cost in RB

== History ==

The North-American P-51 Mustang was an American fighter designed in the early 1940s and is considered the best US fighter of WWII. It was widely exported to countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. The P-51 participated in the Korean War and other post-WWII conflicts.

The most famous Mustang version was the P-51D with teardrop (or bubble) canopy. The main problem for the pilots of the earlier variants was a huge blind spot at the rear of the aircraft due to the canopy design. An earlier attempt to address the issue was a British-designed Malcolm hood, installed on many P-51Bs. It improved rearward visibility, but the search for a better solution continued. In January 1943, USAAF's Colonel Mark Bradley, while stationed in Britain, was introduced to the then-new "bubble" canopy, designed for use on Spitfires and Typhoons. The canopy had no framework and offered near 360-degree vision. To install the new canopy, the rear fuselage section of the Mustang had to lose some height. However, this change required minimal redesign to the airframe. The inaugural flight of the new P-51D took place at Inglewood, California on 17th November 1943. The P-51D-30 was developed soon before the war ended. It mainly served in the Korean war.

=== In-game description ===
"A single-seat all-metal cantilever monoplane fighter with a single engine, closed cockpit and retractable landing gear.

The P-51D model Mustangs lacked one of the main flaws of the P-51B and P-51C models – poor visibility from the cockpit, particularly to the rear. The P-51D fighters received a new drop-shaped cockpit canopy without bracing, providing a perfect 360° view.

Over time, the German Luftwaffe's resistance became weaker. Sightings of enemy planes in the sky grew rarer and rarer. This influenced the Mustang's continued evolution. Model P-51D aircraft were no longer painted – camouflage on the ground and in the air came to be considered excessive. The fighters now gleamed with polish metal. Its weight had decreased slightly, and its aerodynamics improved. On average, this resulted in a small addition to its speed.

Mustangs then began to attack ground targets more often than air targets. They received rocket equipment to increase their efficiency as fighter-bombers and attack aircraft.

The P-51D-30 could carry a “cluster” of three “tubes” – directional M10s, M14s or M15s for launching unguided M8 rockets. In place of these, it could also carry clips for the suspension of unguided 127 mm HVAR rockets. The P-51D was able to carry up to six heavy rockets along with suspended fuel tanks, and up to ten rockets without them. The aircraft's rocket armament significantly increased its ability to damage small moving targets.

The P-51D became the most mass-produced Mustang model, a symbol of American aviation and one of the best fighters of World War II. In total, 8,156 of them were built.

Apart from the RAF and USAAF, the P-51 was in service with France, China, Australia and the Netherlands during World War II.

The P-51D remained in service with the USAAF for many years after World War II. In 1948, the USAF, newly formed as a separate type of army, abolished the letter “P” (“pursuit”) as a designation for fighter and replaced it with the letter “F” (“fighter”). The designation P-51 changed to F-51 accordingly."

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
* ''other literature.''

{{AirManufacturer NAA}}
{{USA fighters}}

M2 Browning (12.7 mm)

2020-04-24T15:28:20Z

U35380339: /* Available ammunition */

{{About
| about = aircraft mounted '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| other
| usage-1 = the vehicle mounted variant
| link-1 = M2HB (12.7 mm)
| usage-2 = other uses
| link-2 = M2 (Disambiguation)
}}

== Description ==

There are 4 version of the M2 Browning in War Thunder. The "early" M2 does not have API bullets. The "mid" M2 is identical to the early M2, but with access to API bullets. The "late" M2 has access to more effective belts, has better accuracy, overheats slower, and a slightly higher RoF. The British have their own variant that is similar to the "mid" version but with different bullets (for example the API for the American gun is different from the British API).

The turreted variants of the M2 Browning are also separated into the "mid" version, the "late" version, and the British version. The only difference between the "mid" and "late" variants are the belt composition. The British version yet again has different bullets, but is otherwise identical to the American versions.

The DGP-1 gunpods are composed of 4 "late" M2's.

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===

{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with early M2}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Fighters'''}}
{{Navigation-Line|F2A}}{{Specs-Link|f2a-1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f2a-1_thach|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f2a-3|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|F3F}}{{Specs-Link|f3f-2|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f3f-2_galer|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|F4F}}{{Specs-Link|f4f-3|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4f-4|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4f-4_martlet_mk4|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-26}}{{Specs-Link|p-26a_34_m2|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-36}}{{Specs-Link|p-36a|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-36a_rasmussen|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-36c|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-36g|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-39}}{{Specs-Link|p-39k_1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-39n|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-39n_su|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-39q_5|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-39q_15|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-40}}{{Specs-Link|p-40c|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40c_china|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40e|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40e_ussr|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40e_china|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40f_10|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-400}}{{Specs-Link|p-400|short}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Attackers'''}}{{Specs-Link|a-20g|short}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Bombers'''}}{{Specs-Link|avenger_mk1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|sb2u-3|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|sbd-3|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|tbd-1_1938|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|tbf-1c|short}}

{{Navigation-End}}

{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with mid M2}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Fighters'''}}
{{Navigation-Line|CW-21}}{{Specs-Link|cw_21|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|F4U}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-1a|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-1a_usmc|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|corsair_fmk2|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-1a_japan|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-1d|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|F6F}}{{Specs-Link|f6f-3|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|hellcat_fmk1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f6f-5_france|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f6f-5n|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f6f-5n_france|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-43}}{{Specs-Link|p-43a-1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-43a-1_china|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-63}}{{Specs-Link|p-63a-5|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63a-5_ussr|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63a-10|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63a-10_ussr|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63c-5|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63c-5_kingcobra_animal_version|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63c-5_france|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63c-5_ussr|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-66}}{{Specs-Link|p-66|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|XP-55}}{{Specs-Link|xp-55|short}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Twin-engine fighters'''}}
{{Navigation-Line|F7F}}{{Specs-Link|f7f1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f7f3|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-38}}{{Specs-Link|p-38e|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38g|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38g_metal|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38j|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38j_marge|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38k|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38l_1_china_rocaf|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38l|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-61}}{{Specs-Link|p-61a_1|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-61c_1|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|VB.10}}{{Specs-Link|vb_10_02|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|XF5F}}{{Specs-Link|xf5f|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|XP-50}}{{Specs-Link|xp-50|short}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Attackers'''}}{{Specs-Link|a-20g|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|a-26b_10|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|a-26b|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51_a-36|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|pbj_1h|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|pbj_1j|short}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Bombers'''}}
{{Navigation-Line|A-26}}{{Specs-Link|a-26c|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|a-26c-45-dt|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|A-29}}{{Specs-Link|a_29_hudson|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|A-35}}{{Specs-Link|a-35b|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|B-17}}{{Specs-Link|b-17e|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|b-17e_japan|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|B-24}}{{Specs-Link|b_24d|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|B-25}}{{Specs-Link|b_25j_1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|b_25j_20|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|b_25j_30_vvs_ussr|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|b_25j_30_china|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|B-34}}{{Specs-Link|b_34|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|pv_2d|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|PB4Y}}{{Specs-Link|pb4y-2_china|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pb4y-2_france|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pb4y-2|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|PBM-3}}{{Specs-Link|pbm_3|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|PBY-5}}{{Specs-Link|pby-5|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pby-5a|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pby-5a_ussr|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pby-5a_raf|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|SB2U}}{{Specs-Link|sb2u-3|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|Sunderland}}{{Specs-Link|sunderland_mk5|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|TBF-1}}{{Specs-Link|tbf-1c|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|avenger_mk1|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|XA-38}}{{Specs-Link|xa_38|short}}

{{Navigation-End}}

{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with late M2}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Fighters'''}}
{{Navigation-Line|F4U}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-4|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|F8F}}{{Specs-Link|f8f1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f8f1b|short}} (Suspended){{-}}{{Specs-Link|f8f1b_france|short}} (Suspended)
{{Navigation-Line|P-47}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d_luftwaffe|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d_ussr|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d-28|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d_30_china|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47m-1-re|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47m-1-re_boxted|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47n-15|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-51}}{{Specs-Link|p-51a_tl|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-5|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-10|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-20-na|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-20_china|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-30_usaaf_korea|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51h-5_na|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51k|short}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Twin-engine fighters'''}}{{Specs-Link|p-38l_1_china_rocaf|short}} (Suspended){{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38l|short}} (Suspended)

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Jet fighters'''}}{{Specs-Link|f-80a|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-59a|short}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Attackers'''}}{{Specs-Link|p-51_a-36|short}} (Suspended)

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Bombers'''}}{{Specs-Link|b-17e_late|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|b-17g|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|b-29|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pv_2d|short}} (Suspended){{-}}{{Specs-Link|sb2c_4|short}} (Suspended){{-}}{{Specs-Link|sb2c_5_france|short}} (Suspended){{-}}{{Specs-Link|sbd-3|short}} (Suspended)

{{Navigation-End}}

{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with British M2}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line|}}
<center>{{Specs-Link|beaufighter_mk21|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_mk14e|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_xvi|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_mk18e|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_fr_mk14e|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_ix|short}}
</center>
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line|}}
<center>{{Specs-Link|beaufort_mkviii|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|lancaster_mk3|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|lincoln_b2|short}} (Defensive)
</center>
{{Navigation-End}}

== General info ==

The 12.7 mm (.50 cal) M2 Browning is a very powerful heavy machine gun when used in large numbers, particularly with the late P-51s and P-47s, with six and eight .50 cal machine guns respectively. However, on early American aircraft, many are armed with only a 7.62 mm and .50 cal, putting out very limited firepower. The .50 cals are inadequate in few numbers, making them ineffective in "snapshots" or high deflection shots. This is particularly noticeable in Spitfire Mk IX, XIV, and XVI, where the two Brownings provide insufficient firepower and are mounted too far apart, leaving only the plane with 2 cannons, with only 240-260 shells each, without complementing firepower. Without the cannons, the .50s can only chip away at the enemy, and the best hope for scoring is to hope for a lucky pilot snipe.

=== Available ammunition ===
Early bullets (USA):

* Armor Piercing (AP)
* Incendiary (I)
* Ball
* Tracer (T)

Mid bullets (USA):

* Armor Piercing Incendiary (AP-I)

Late bullets (USA):

* Armor Piercing Incendiary Tracer (API-T)

Belts

* Fighters (USA)
** Default (early) - T/Ball/I/AP
** Default (mid) - T/Ball/Ball/I/AP-I
** Default (late) - API-T/AP/AP/I
**
** Universal (early) - AP/AP/AP/T/I
** Universal (mid) - AP-I/AP-I/AP-I/T/I
** Universal (late) -
** Ground Targets (early) - T/AP/AP/AP
** Ground Targets (mid) - T/AP/AP/AP/AP-I/I
** Ground Targets (late) -
** Tracers (early) - T/T/T/AP
** Tracers (mid) - T/T/T/T/T/AP-I
** Tracers (late) - API-T
** Stealth (early) - AP/I/AP
** Stealth (mid) - AP/AP-I/AP-I/I/I
** Stealth (late) - API/I

=== Comparison with analogues ===
''Give a comparative description of cannons/machine guns that have firepower equal to this weapon.''

== Usage in battles ==


* AP, API, and API-T rounds are effective against light pillboxes, light tanks, armored trucks, SPGs, artillery, AAA.
* Usually incapable of an instant kill or a "snapshot" kill unless you pilot snipe, but is quite capable of a "snapshot fire" (not guaranteed though)... which is almost a kill...
* Incredible range (can hit and still light a fire at 1.5km+, but damage does drop off). Good for long range desperation/harassment shots.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Usually carries enough rounds per gun to be able to take out multiple targets per sortie
* Quite accurate, does not randomly spread a lot (unlike stock AN/M3 and stock Hispanos)
* API-T rounds are exceptionally good at igniting fuel tanks and engines
* Armour piercing (AP) rounds have better penetration values when compared to most small calibre cannons
* Retains kinetic energy and damage potential over a range much better than 7 mm calibre machine guns
* Can be fired accurately and be a significant threat to fleeing enemies upwards of 1.5 km away
* Virtually only jams if you try to mag-dump (continuous fire until the weapon jams or runs out of ammunition) the entire ammo load
* Makes up the bulk of the USAAF's armament with most planes utilizing anywhere between 4-8 guns

'''Cons:'''

* Ball ammo in the default belt is rather ineffective
* 25% slower rate of fire compared to 7 mm calibre machine guns
* AP ammo lacks any incendiary or tracer, meaning shots that don't hit vital components barely does anything
* Slower rate of fire at higher ranks means boom-n-zoom is necessary to maintain a firing solution long enough to dump sufficient rounds on target
* The M2 Browning has 3 different variations, which all have vastly different ammunition belt types and how they are used

''Words of wisdom'': Always check the belt composition on a new vehicle or when returning to an old aircraft you have not used in a while...'''before''' heading into battle!

== History ==
''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>.''

== Media ==
''An excellent addition to the article would be a video guide, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''

== See also ==


* [[Browning M2HB (12.7 mm)|M2HB - Ground variant]]
* [[Browning_AN-M2_(12.7_mm)|AN-M2 - Naval variant]]

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the weapon;''
* ''other literature.''

{{Aircraft machine guns}}

[[Category:Aircraft machine guns]]

M2 Browning (12.7 mm)

2020-04-24T07:02:07Z

U35380339: /* Available ammunition */

{{About
| about = aircraft mounted '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| other
| usage-1 = the vehicle mounted variant
| link-1 = M2HB (12.7 mm)
| usage-2 = other uses
| link-2 = M2 (Disambiguation)
}}

== Description ==

There are 4 version of the M2 Browning in War Thunder. The "early" M2 does not have API bullets. The "mid" M2 is identical to the early M2, but with access to API bullets. The "late" M2 has access to more effective belts, has better accuracy, overheats slower, and a slightly higher RoF. The British have their own variant that is similar to the "mid" version but with different bullets (for example the API for the American gun is different from the British API).

The turreted variants of the M2 Browning are also separated into the "mid" version, the "late" version, and the British version. The only difference between the "mid" and "late" variants are the belt composition. The British version yet again has different bullets, but is otherwise identical to the American versions.

The DGP-1 gunpods are composed of 4 "late" M2's.

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===

{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with early M2}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Fighters'''}}
{{Navigation-Line|F2A}}{{Specs-Link|f2a-1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f2a-1_thach|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f2a-3|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|F3F}}{{Specs-Link|f3f-2|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f3f-2_galer|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|F4F}}{{Specs-Link|f4f-3|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4f-4|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4f-4_martlet_mk4|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-26}}{{Specs-Link|p-26a_34_m2|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-36}}{{Specs-Link|p-36a|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-36a_rasmussen|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-36c|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-36g|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-39}}{{Specs-Link|p-39k_1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-39n|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-39n_su|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-39q_5|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-39q_15|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-40}}{{Specs-Link|p-40c|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40c_china|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40e|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40e_ussr|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40e_china|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40f_10|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-400}}{{Specs-Link|p-400|short}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Attackers'''}}{{Specs-Link|a-20g|short}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Bombers'''}}{{Specs-Link|avenger_mk1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|sb2u-3|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|sbd-3|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|tbd-1_1938|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|tbf-1c|short}}

{{Navigation-End}}

{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with mid M2}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Fighters'''}}
{{Navigation-Line|CW-21}}{{Specs-Link|cw_21|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|F4U}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-1a|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-1a_usmc|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|corsair_fmk2|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-1a_japan|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-1d|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|F6F}}{{Specs-Link|f6f-3|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|hellcat_fmk1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f6f-5_france|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f6f-5n|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f6f-5n_france|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-43}}{{Specs-Link|p-43a-1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-43a-1_china|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-63}}{{Specs-Link|p-63a-5|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63a-5_ussr|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63a-10|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63a-10_ussr|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63c-5|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63c-5_kingcobra_animal_version|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63c-5_france|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63c-5_ussr|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-66}}{{Specs-Link|p-66|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|XP-55}}{{Specs-Link|xp-55|short}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Twin-engine fighters'''}}
{{Navigation-Line|F7F}}{{Specs-Link|f7f1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f7f3|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-38}}{{Specs-Link|p-38e|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38g|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38g_metal|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38j|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38j_marge|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38k|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38l_1_china_rocaf|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38l|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-61}}{{Specs-Link|p-61a_1|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-61c_1|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|VB.10}}{{Specs-Link|vb_10_02|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|XF5F}}{{Specs-Link|xf5f|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|XP-50}}{{Specs-Link|xp-50|short}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Attackers'''}}{{Specs-Link|a-20g|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|a-26b_10|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|a-26b|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51_a-36|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|pbj_1h|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|pbj_1j|short}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Bombers'''}}
{{Navigation-Line|A-26}}{{Specs-Link|a-26c|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|a-26c-45-dt|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|A-29}}{{Specs-Link|a_29_hudson|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|A-35}}{{Specs-Link|a-35b|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|B-17}}{{Specs-Link|b-17e|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|b-17e_japan|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|B-24}}{{Specs-Link|b_24d|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|B-25}}{{Specs-Link|b_25j_1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|b_25j_20|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|b_25j_30_vvs_ussr|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|b_25j_30_china|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|B-34}}{{Specs-Link|b_34|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|pv_2d|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|PB4Y}}{{Specs-Link|pb4y-2_china|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pb4y-2_france|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pb4y-2|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|PBM-3}}{{Specs-Link|pbm_3|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|PBY-5}}{{Specs-Link|pby-5|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pby-5a|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pby-5a_ussr|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pby-5a_raf|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|SB2U}}{{Specs-Link|sb2u-3|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|Sunderland}}{{Specs-Link|sunderland_mk5|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|TBF-1}}{{Specs-Link|tbf-1c|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|avenger_mk1|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|XA-38}}{{Specs-Link|xa_38|short}}

{{Navigation-End}}

{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with late M2}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Fighters'''}}
{{Navigation-Line|F4U}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-4|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|F8F}}{{Specs-Link|f8f1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f8f1b|short}} (Suspended){{-}}{{Specs-Link|f8f1b_france|short}} (Suspended)
{{Navigation-Line|P-47}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d_luftwaffe|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d_ussr|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d-28|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d_30_china|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47m-1-re|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47m-1-re_boxted|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47n-15|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-51}}{{Specs-Link|p-51a_tl|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-5|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-10|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-20-na|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-20_china|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-30_usaaf_korea|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51h-5_na|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51k|short}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Twin-engine fighters'''}}{{Specs-Link|p-38l_1_china_rocaf|short}} (Suspended){{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38l|short}} (Suspended)

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Jet fighters'''}}{{Specs-Link|f-80a|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-59a|short}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Attackers'''}}{{Specs-Link|p-51_a-36|short}} (Suspended)

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Bombers'''}}{{Specs-Link|b-17e_late|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|b-17g|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|b-29|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pv_2d|short}} (Suspended){{-}}{{Specs-Link|sb2c_4|short}} (Suspended){{-}}{{Specs-Link|sb2c_5_france|short}} (Suspended){{-}}{{Specs-Link|sbd-3|short}} (Suspended)

{{Navigation-End}}

{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with British M2}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line|}}
<center>{{Specs-Link|beaufighter_mk21|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_mk14e|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_xvi|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_mk18e|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_fr_mk14e|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_ix|short}}
</center>
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line|}}
<center>{{Specs-Link|beaufort_mkviii|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|lancaster_mk3|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|lincoln_b2|short}} (Defensive)
</center>
{{Navigation-End}}

== General info ==

The 12.7 mm (.50 cal) M2 Browning is a very powerful heavy machine gun when used in large numbers, particularly with the late P-51s and P-47s, with six and eight .50 cal machine guns respectively. However, on early American aircraft, many are armed with only a 7.62 mm and .50 cal, putting out very limited firepower. The .50 cals are inadequate in few numbers, making them ineffective in "snapshots" or high deflection shots. This is particularly noticeable in Spitfire Mk IX, XIV, and XVI, where the two Brownings provide insufficient firepower and are mounted too far apart, leaving only the plane with 2 cannons, with only 240-260 shells each, without complementing firepower. Without the cannons, the .50s can only chip away at the enemy, and the best hope for scoring is to hope for a lucky pilot snipe.

=== Available ammunition ===
Early bullets (USA):

* Armor Piercing (AP)
* Incendiary (I)
* Ball
* Tracer (T)

Mid bullets (USA):

* Armor Piercing Incendiary (AP-I)

Late bullets (USA):

* Armor Piercing Incendiary Tracer (API-T)

Belts

* Fighters (USA)
** Default (early) - T/Ball/I/AP
** Default (mid) - T/Ball/Ball/I/AP-I
** Default (late) - API-T/AP/AP/I
**
** Universal (early) - AP/AP/AP/T/I
** Universal (mid) - AP-I/AP-I/AP-I/T/I
** Ground Targets (early) - T/AP/AP/AP
** Ground Targets (mid) - T/AP/AP/AP/AP-I/I
** Tracers (early) - T/T/T/AP
** Tracers (mid) - T/T/T/T/T/AP-I
** Tracers (late) - API-T
** Stealth (early) - AP/I/AP
** Stealth (mid) - AP/AP-I/AP-I/I/I
** Stealth (late) - API/I

=== Comparison with analogues ===
''Give a comparative description of cannons/machine guns that have firepower equal to this weapon.''

== Usage in battles ==


* AP, API, and API-T rounds are effective against light pillboxes, light tanks, armored trucks, SPGs, artillery, AAA.
* Usually incapable of an instant kill or a "snapshot" kill unless you pilot snipe, but is quite capable of a "snapshot fire" (not guaranteed though)... which is almost a kill...
* Incredible range (can hit and still light a fire at 1.5km+, but damage does drop off). Good for long range desperation/harassment shots.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Usually carries enough rounds per gun to be able to take out multiple targets per sortie
* API-T rounds are exceptionally good at igniting fuel tanks and engines
* Armour piercing (AP) rounds have better penetration values when compared to most small calibre cannons
* Retains kinetic energy and damage potential over a range much better than 7 mm calibre machine guns
* Can be fired accurately and be a significant threat to fleeing enemies upwards of 1.5 km away
* Virtually only jams if you try to mag-dump (continuous fire until the weapon jams or runs out of ammunition) the entire ammo load
* Makes up the bulk of the USAAF's armament with most planes utilizing anywhere between 4-8 guns

'''Cons:'''

* Ball ammo in the default belt is rather ineffective
* 25% slower rate of fire compared to 7 mm calibre machine guns
* AP ammo lacks any incendiary or tracer, meaning shots that don't hit vital components barely does anything
* Slower rate of fire at higher ranks means boom-n-zoom is necessary to maintain a firing solution long enough to dump sufficient rounds on target
* The M2 Browning has 3 different variations, which all have vastly different ammunition belt types and how they are used

''Words of wisdom'': Always check the belt composition on a new vehicle or when returning to an old aircraft you have not used in a while...'''before''' heading into battle!

== History ==
''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>.''

== Media ==
''An excellent addition to the article would be a video guide, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''

== See also ==


* [[Browning M2HB (12.7 mm)|M2HB - Ground variant]]
* [[Browning_AN-M2_(12.7_mm)|AN-M2 - Naval variant]]

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the weapon;''
* ''other literature.''

{{Aircraft machine guns}}

[[Category:Aircraft machine guns]]

M2 Browning (12.7 mm)

2020-04-24T06:58:26Z

U35380339: /* Available ammunition */ added things, this section was initially blank, not done

{{About
| about = aircraft mounted '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| other
| usage-1 = the vehicle mounted variant
| link-1 = M2HB (12.7 mm)
| usage-2 = other uses
| link-2 = M2 (Disambiguation)
}}

== Description ==

There are 4 version of the M2 Browning in War Thunder. The "early" M2 does not have API bullets. The "mid" M2 is identical to the early M2, but with access to API bullets. The "late" M2 has access to more effective belts, has better accuracy, overheats slower, and a slightly higher RoF. The British have their own variant that is similar to the "mid" version but with different bullets (for example the API for the American gun is different from the British API).

The turreted variants of the M2 Browning are also separated into the "mid" version, the "late" version, and the British version. The only difference between the "mid" and "late" variants are the belt composition. The British version yet again has different bullets, but is otherwise identical to the American versions.

The DGP-1 gunpods are composed of 4 "late" M2's.

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===

{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with early M2}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Fighters'''}}
{{Navigation-Line|F2A}}{{Specs-Link|f2a-1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f2a-1_thach|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f2a-3|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|F3F}}{{Specs-Link|f3f-2|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f3f-2_galer|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|F4F}}{{Specs-Link|f4f-3|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4f-4|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4f-4_martlet_mk4|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-26}}{{Specs-Link|p-26a_34_m2|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-36}}{{Specs-Link|p-36a|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-36a_rasmussen|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-36c|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-36g|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-39}}{{Specs-Link|p-39k_1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-39n|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-39n_su|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-39q_5|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-39q_15|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-40}}{{Specs-Link|p-40c|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40c_china|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40e|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40e_ussr|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40e_china|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40f_10|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-400}}{{Specs-Link|p-400|short}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Attackers'''}}{{Specs-Link|a-20g|short}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Bombers'''}}{{Specs-Link|avenger_mk1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|sb2u-3|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|sbd-3|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|tbd-1_1938|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|tbf-1c|short}}

{{Navigation-End}}

{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with mid M2}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Fighters'''}}
{{Navigation-Line|CW-21}}{{Specs-Link|cw_21|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|F4U}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-1a|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-1a_usmc|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|corsair_fmk2|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-1a_japan|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-1d|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|F6F}}{{Specs-Link|f6f-3|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|hellcat_fmk1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f6f-5_france|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f6f-5n|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f6f-5n_france|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-43}}{{Specs-Link|p-43a-1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-43a-1_china|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-63}}{{Specs-Link|p-63a-5|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63a-5_ussr|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63a-10|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63a-10_ussr|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63c-5|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63c-5_kingcobra_animal_version|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63c-5_france|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63c-5_ussr|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-66}}{{Specs-Link|p-66|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|XP-55}}{{Specs-Link|xp-55|short}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Twin-engine fighters'''}}
{{Navigation-Line|F7F}}{{Specs-Link|f7f1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f7f3|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-38}}{{Specs-Link|p-38e|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38g|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38g_metal|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38j|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38j_marge|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38k|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38l_1_china_rocaf|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38l|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-61}}{{Specs-Link|p-61a_1|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-61c_1|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|VB.10}}{{Specs-Link|vb_10_02|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|XF5F}}{{Specs-Link|xf5f|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|XP-50}}{{Specs-Link|xp-50|short}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Attackers'''}}{{Specs-Link|a-20g|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|a-26b_10|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|a-26b|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51_a-36|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|pbj_1h|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|pbj_1j|short}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Bombers'''}}
{{Navigation-Line|A-26}}{{Specs-Link|a-26c|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|a-26c-45-dt|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|A-29}}{{Specs-Link|a_29_hudson|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|A-35}}{{Specs-Link|a-35b|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|B-17}}{{Specs-Link|b-17e|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|b-17e_japan|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|B-24}}{{Specs-Link|b_24d|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|B-25}}{{Specs-Link|b_25j_1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|b_25j_20|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|b_25j_30_vvs_ussr|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|b_25j_30_china|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|B-34}}{{Specs-Link|b_34|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|pv_2d|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|PB4Y}}{{Specs-Link|pb4y-2_china|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pb4y-2_france|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pb4y-2|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|PBM-3}}{{Specs-Link|pbm_3|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|PBY-5}}{{Specs-Link|pby-5|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pby-5a|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pby-5a_ussr|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pby-5a_raf|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|SB2U}}{{Specs-Link|sb2u-3|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|Sunderland}}{{Specs-Link|sunderland_mk5|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|TBF-1}}{{Specs-Link|tbf-1c|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|avenger_mk1|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|XA-38}}{{Specs-Link|xa_38|short}}

{{Navigation-End}}

{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with late M2}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Fighters'''}}
{{Navigation-Line|F4U}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-4|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|F8F}}{{Specs-Link|f8f1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f8f1b|short}} (Suspended){{-}}{{Specs-Link|f8f1b_france|short}} (Suspended)
{{Navigation-Line|P-47}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d_luftwaffe|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d_ussr|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d-28|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d_30_china|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47m-1-re|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47m-1-re_boxted|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47n-15|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-51}}{{Specs-Link|p-51a_tl|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-5|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-10|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-20-na|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-20_china|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-30_usaaf_korea|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51h-5_na|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51k|short}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Twin-engine fighters'''}}{{Specs-Link|p-38l_1_china_rocaf|short}} (Suspended){{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38l|short}} (Suspended)

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Jet fighters'''}}{{Specs-Link|f-80a|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-59a|short}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Attackers'''}}{{Specs-Link|p-51_a-36|short}} (Suspended)

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Bombers'''}}{{Specs-Link|b-17e_late|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|b-17g|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|b-29|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pv_2d|short}} (Suspended){{-}}{{Specs-Link|sb2c_4|short}} (Suspended){{-}}{{Specs-Link|sb2c_5_france|short}} (Suspended){{-}}{{Specs-Link|sbd-3|short}} (Suspended)

{{Navigation-End}}

{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with British M2}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line|}}
<center>{{Specs-Link|beaufighter_mk21|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_mk14e|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_xvi|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_mk18e|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_fr_mk14e|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_ix|short}}
</center>
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line|}}
<center>{{Specs-Link|beaufort_mkviii|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|lancaster_mk3|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|lincoln_b2|short}} (Defensive)
</center>
{{Navigation-End}}

== General info ==

The 12.7 mm (.50 cal) M2 Browning is a very powerful heavy machine gun when used in large numbers, particularly with the late P-51s and P-47s, with six and eight .50 cal machine guns respectively. However, on early American aircraft, many are armed with only a 7.62 mm and .50 cal, putting out very limited firepower. The .50 cals are inadequate in few numbers, making them ineffective in "snapshots" or high deflection shots. This is particularly noticeable in Spitfire Mk IX, XIV, and XVI, where the two Brownings provide insufficient firepower and are mounted too far apart, leaving only the plane with 2 cannons, with only 240-260 shells each, without complementing firepower. Without the cannons, the .50s can only chip away at the enemy, and the best hope for scoring is to hope for a lucky pilot snipe.

=== Available ammunition ===
Early bullets (USA):

* Armor Piercing (AP)
* Incendiary (I)
* Ball
* Tracer (T)

Mid bullets (USA):

* Armor Piercing Incendiary (AP-I)

Late bullets (USA):

* Armor Piercing Incendiary Tracer (API-T)

Belts

* Fighters (USA)
** Default (early) - T/Ball/I/AP
** Default (mid) - T/Ball/Ball/I/AP-I
** Default (late) - API-T/AP/AP/I
**
** Universal (early) - AP/AP/AP/T/I
** Universal (mid) - AP-I/AP-I/AP-I/T/I
** Ground Targets (early) - T/AP/AP/AP
** Ground Targets (mid) - T/AP/AP/AP/AP-I/I
** Tracers (early) - T/T/T/AP
** Tracers (mid) - T/T/T/T/T/AP-I
** Stealth (early) - AP/I/AP
** Stealth (mid) - AP/AP-I/AP-I/I/I

=== Comparison with analogues ===
''Give a comparative description of cannons/machine guns that have firepower equal to this weapon.''

== Usage in battles ==


* AP, API, and API-T rounds are effective against light pillboxes, light tanks, armored trucks, SPGs, artillery, AAA.
* Usually incapable of an instant kill or a "snapshot" kill unless you pilot snipe, but is quite capable of a "snapshot fire" (not guaranteed though)... which is almost a kill...
* Incredible range (can hit and still light a fire at 1.5km+, but damage does drop off). Good for long range desperation/harassment shots.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Usually carries enough rounds per gun to be able to take out multiple targets per sortie
* API-T rounds are exceptionally good at igniting fuel tanks and engines
* Armour piercing (AP) rounds have better penetration values when compared to most small calibre cannons
* Retains kinetic energy and damage potential over a range much better than 7 mm calibre machine guns
* Can be fired accurately and be a significant threat to fleeing enemies upwards of 1.5 km away
* Virtually only jams if you try to mag-dump (continuous fire until the weapon jams or runs out of ammunition) the entire ammo load
* Makes up the bulk of the USAAF's armament with most planes utilizing anywhere between 4-8 guns

'''Cons:'''

* Ball ammo in the default belt is rather ineffective
* 25% slower rate of fire compared to 7 mm calibre machine guns
* AP ammo lacks any incendiary or tracer, meaning shots that don't hit vital components barely does anything
* Slower rate of fire at higher ranks means boom-n-zoom is necessary to maintain a firing solution long enough to dump sufficient rounds on target
* The M2 Browning has 3 different variations, which all have vastly different ammunition belt types and how they are used

''Words of wisdom'': Always check the belt composition on a new vehicle or when returning to an old aircraft you have not used in a while...'''before''' heading into battle!

== History ==
''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>.''

== Media ==
''An excellent addition to the article would be a video guide, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''

== See also ==


* [[Browning M2HB (12.7 mm)|M2HB - Ground variant]]
* [[Browning_AN-M2_(12.7_mm)|AN-M2 - Naval variant]]

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the weapon;''
* ''other literature.''

{{Aircraft machine guns}}

[[Category:Aircraft machine guns]]

M2 Browning (12.7 mm)

2020-04-23T15:55:07Z

U35380339: /* Usage in battles */ There was no content here, I decided to add some to help people out.

{{About
| about = aircraft mounted '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| other
| usage-1 = the vehicle mounted variant
| link-1 = M2HB (12.7 mm)
| usage-2 = other uses
| link-2 = M2 (Disambiguation)
}}

== Description ==

There are 4 version of the M2 Browning in War Thunder. The "early" M2 does not have API bullets. The "mid" M2 is identical to the early M2, but with access to API bullets. The "late" M2 has access to more effective belts, has better accuracy, overheats slower, and a slightly higher RoF. The British have their own variant that is similar to the "mid" version but with different bullets (for example the API for the American gun is different from the British API).

The turreted variants of the M2 Browning are also separated into the "mid" version, the "late" version, and the British version. The only difference between the "mid" and "late" variants are the belt composition. The British version yet again has different bullets, but is otherwise identical to the American versions.

The DGP-1 gunpods are composed of 4 "late" M2's.

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===

{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with early M2}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Fighters'''}}
{{Navigation-Line|F2A}}{{Specs-Link|f2a-1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f2a-1_thach|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f2a-3|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|F3F}}{{Specs-Link|f3f-2|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f3f-2_galer|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|F4F}}{{Specs-Link|f4f-3|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4f-4|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4f-4_martlet_mk4|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-26}}{{Specs-Link|p-26a_34_m2|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-36}}{{Specs-Link|p-36a|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-36a_rasmussen|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-36c|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-36g|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-39}}{{Specs-Link|p-39k_1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-39n|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-39n_su|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-39q_5|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-39q_15|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-40}}{{Specs-Link|p-40c|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40c_china|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40e|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40e_ussr|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40e_china|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40f_10|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-400}}{{Specs-Link|p-400|short}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Attackers'''}}{{Specs-Link|a-20g|short}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Bombers'''}}{{Specs-Link|avenger_mk1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|sb2u-3|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|sbd-3|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|tbd-1_1938|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|tbf-1c|short}}

{{Navigation-End}}

{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with mid M2}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Fighters'''}}
{{Navigation-Line|CW-21}}{{Specs-Link|cw_21|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|F4U}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-1a|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-1a_usmc|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|corsair_fmk2|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-1a_japan|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-1d|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|F6F}}{{Specs-Link|f6f-3|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|hellcat_fmk1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f6f-5_france|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f6f-5n|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f6f-5n_france|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-43}}{{Specs-Link|p-43a-1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-43a-1_china|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-63}}{{Specs-Link|p-63a-5|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63a-5_ussr|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63a-10|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63a-10_ussr|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63c-5|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63c-5_kingcobra_animal_version|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63c-5_france|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63c-5_ussr|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-66}}{{Specs-Link|p-66|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|XP-55}}{{Specs-Link|xp-55|short}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Twin-engine fighters'''}}
{{Navigation-Line|F7F}}{{Specs-Link|f7f1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f7f3|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-38}}{{Specs-Link|p-38e|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38g|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38g_metal|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38j|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38j_marge|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38k|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38l_1_china_rocaf|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38l|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-61}}{{Specs-Link|p-61a_1|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-61c_1|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|VB.10}}{{Specs-Link|vb_10_02|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|XF5F}}{{Specs-Link|xf5f|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|XP-50}}{{Specs-Link|xp-50|short}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Attackers'''}}{{Specs-Link|a-20g|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|a-26b_10|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|a-26b|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51_a-36|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|pbj_1h|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|pbj_1j|short}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Bombers'''}}
{{Navigation-Line|A-26}}{{Specs-Link|a-26c|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|a-26c-45-dt|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|A-29}}{{Specs-Link|a_29_hudson|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|A-35}}{{Specs-Link|a-35b|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|B-17}}{{Specs-Link|b-17e|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|b-17e_japan|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|B-24}}{{Specs-Link|b_24d|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|B-25}}{{Specs-Link|b_25j_1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|b_25j_20|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|b_25j_30_vvs_ussr|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|b_25j_30_china|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|B-34}}{{Specs-Link|b_34|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|pv_2d|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|PB4Y}}{{Specs-Link|pb4y-2_china|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pb4y-2_france|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pb4y-2|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|PBM-3}}{{Specs-Link|pbm_3|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|PBY-5}}{{Specs-Link|pby-5|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pby-5a|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pby-5a_ussr|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pby-5a_raf|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|SB2U}}{{Specs-Link|sb2u-3|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|Sunderland}}{{Specs-Link|sunderland_mk5|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|TBF-1}}{{Specs-Link|tbf-1c|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|avenger_mk1|short}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|XA-38}}{{Specs-Link|xa_38|short}}

{{Navigation-End}}

{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with late M2}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Fighters'''}}
{{Navigation-Line|F4U}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-4|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|F8F}}{{Specs-Link|f8f1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f8f1b|short}} (Suspended){{-}}{{Specs-Link|f8f1b_france|short}} (Suspended)
{{Navigation-Line|P-47}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d_luftwaffe|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d_ussr|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d-28|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d_30_china|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47m-1-re|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47m-1-re_boxted|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47n-15|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-51}}{{Specs-Link|p-51a_tl|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-5|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-10|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-20-na|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-20_china|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-30_usaaf_korea|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51h-5_na|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51k|short}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Twin-engine fighters'''}}{{Specs-Link|p-38l_1_china_rocaf|short}} (Suspended){{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38l|short}} (Suspended)

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Jet fighters'''}}{{Specs-Link|f-80a|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-59a|short}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Attackers'''}}{{Specs-Link|p-51_a-36|short}} (Suspended)

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Bombers'''}}{{Specs-Link|b-17e_late|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|b-17g|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|b-29|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pv_2d|short}} (Suspended){{-}}{{Specs-Link|sb2c_4|short}} (Suspended){{-}}{{Specs-Link|sb2c_5_france|short}} (Suspended){{-}}{{Specs-Link|sbd-3|short}} (Suspended)

{{Navigation-End}}

{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with British M2}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line|}}
<center>{{Specs-Link|beaufighter_mk21|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_mk14e|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_xvi|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_mk18e|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_fr_mk14e|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_ix|short}}
</center>
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line|}}
<center>{{Specs-Link|beaufort_mkviii|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|lancaster_mk3|short}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|lincoln_b2|short}} (Defensive)
</center>
{{Navigation-End}}

== General info ==

The 12.7 mm (.50 cal) M2 Browning is a very powerful heavy machine gun when used in large numbers, particularly with the late P-51s and P-47s, with six and eight .50 cal machine guns respectively. However, on early American aircraft, many are armed with only a 7.62 mm and .50 cal, putting out very limited firepower. The .50 cals are inadequate in few numbers, making them ineffective in "snapshots" or high deflection shots. This is particularly noticeable in Spitfire Mk IX, XIV, and XVI, where the two Brownings provide insufficient firepower and are mounted too far apart, leaving only the plane with 2 cannons, with only 240-260 shells each, without complementing firepower. Without the cannons, the .50s can only chip away at the enemy, and the best hope for scoring is to hope for a lucky pilot snipe.

=== Available ammunition ===
''Describe the shells that are available for the weapon and their features and purpose. If it concerns autocannons or machine guns, write about different ammo belts and what is inside (which types of shells).''

=== Comparison with analogues ===
''Give a comparative description of cannons/machine guns that have firepower equal to this weapon.''

== Usage in battles ==
To shoot at and do damage to enemies (duh...)

* AP, API, and API-T rounds are effective against light pillboxes, light tanks, armored trucks, SPGs, artillery, AAA.
* Usually incapable of an instant kill or a "snapshot" kill unless you pilot snipe, but is quite capable of a "snapshot fire" (not guaranteed though)... which is almost a kill...
* Incredible range (can hit and still light a fire at 1.5km+, but damage does drop off). Good for long range desperation/harassment shots.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Usually carries enough rounds per gun to be able to take out multiple targets per sortie
* API-T rounds are exceptionally good at igniting fuel tanks and engines
* Armour piercing (AP) rounds have better penetration values when compared to most small calibre cannons
* Retains kinetic energy and damage potential over a range much better than 7 mm calibre machine guns
* Can be fired accurately and be a significant threat to fleeing enemies upwards of 1.5 km away
* Virtually only jams if you try to mag-dump (continuous fire until the weapon jams or runs out of ammunition) the entire ammo load
* Makes up the bulk of the USAAF's armament with most planes utilizing anywhere between 4-8 guns

'''Cons:'''

* Ball ammo in the default belt is rather ineffective
* 25% slower rate of fire compared to 7 mm calibre machine guns
* AP ammo lacks any incendiary or tracer, meaning shots that don't hit vital components barely does anything
* Slower rate of fire at higher ranks means boom-n-zoom is necessary to maintain a firing solution long enough to dump sufficient rounds on target
* The M2 Browning has 3 different variations, which all have vastly different ammunition belt types and how they are used

''Words of wisdom'': Always check the belt composition on a new vehicle or when returning to an old aircraft you have not used in a while...'''before''' heading into battle!

== History ==
''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>.''

== Media ==
''An excellent addition to the article would be a video guide, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''

== See also ==


* [[Browning M2HB (12.7 mm)|M2HB - Ground variant]]
* [[Browning_AN-M2_(12.7_mm)|AN-M2 - Naval variant]]

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the weapon;''
* ''other literature.''

{{Aircraft machine guns}}

[[Category:Aircraft machine guns]]