War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

PBM-3 "Mariner"

2021-05-18T17:44:04Z

U41796323: /* Pros and cons */

{{Specs-Card
|code=pbm_3
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} American bomber {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced during [[Update 1.85 "Supersonic"]] as part of the [[wt:en/news/6037-event-sea-voyage-en|Sea Voyage]] event that ran from 21 February to 11 March 2019.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}


Due to the fact that it is a large seaplane, the PBM-3 is not very manoeuvrable and has trouble banking. However, when you get into a high-angle bank, it does turn fairly easily because of its large wings. As for payloads, it doesn't matter which payload you take for flight performance. All of the bombs are contained in the nacelle-mounted bomb bays and won't have a large difference in manoeuvrability.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 3,962 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 336 || 325 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 34.4 || 35.3 || 3.5 || 3.5 || rowspan="2" | 585
|-
! Upgraded
| 364 || 349 || 33.8 || 34.0 || 6.5 || 4.9
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 333 || 324 || 280 || ~5 || ~2
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 220 || < 220 || < 230 || > 312
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 2,042 m || 1,500 hp || 1,575 hp
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 2
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 4,542 m || 1,350 hp || 1,418 hp
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


* No armour
* Small fuel tanks in wing roots, rest in bottom of fuselage

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

{{main|AN-M30A1 (100 lb)|AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)|Type A Mark I mine}}

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

* 12 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (1,200 lb total)
* 8 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (4,000 lb total)
* 8 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (8,000 lb total)
* 8 x Type A Mark I mines

=== Defensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Defensive}}

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

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is defended by:

* 1 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun, nose turret (400 rpg)
* 1 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun, 2 x waist turret (375 rpg = 750 total)
* 1 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun, dorsal turret (600 rpg)
* 1 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun, tail turret (350 rpg)

== Usage in battles ==


In RB, the PBM-3 should be used as a traditional heavy bomber, as with the addition of naval mines, the PBM-3 is capable of ending the game on airfield map as long as its not an uptier.

A single mine is able to destroy a normal base with 2 required for a double HP base, and it takes merely 5 mines to destroy a full HP airfield in a downtier. From the start of the game simply fly around the main fighting, bomb whatever bases still remain after potential allies destroy them, then bomb the airfield for an easy victory. In an uptier however it will take at least two runs to destroy an airfield, but you can still rack up plenty of lions and research by heavily damaging it.

Against enemy aircraft that have seen and are heading towards you, you are generally better off turning to get as many guns on target as possible in order to have the best chance of a kill. Having access to the universal targets belt helps, as most aircraft in this tier have a weakness to fire.

=== 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 Auto control available || Controllable Not auto controlled || Controllable Not auto controlled || Separate || Controllable 2 gears || Not controllable
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Massive bomb load
* Access to 8 naval mines
* Mines plus amphibious ability makes it a good aircraft for naval battles
* Unlike most other naval bombers, its bomb bays allow it to drop a single bomb at once.
* Very sturdy, can survive a lot of punishment to the body from heavy machine guns and even light cannons
* Can carry as much as a B-24 (8000 lb!)

'''Cons:'''

* Big, slow target
* Lackluster defensive turrets
* Does not have controllable landing gear
* Turns very sluggishly

== History ==

In the mid 1930s, the U.S. Navy was eager to replace their outdated flying boats with newer models. In order to do so, the Navy started a competition between aircraft manufacturers, whose winner would receive a production contract with the Navy.

The Martin company submitted the designs on their four-engine Model 160 aircraft, which didn't garner any significant interest from the Navy. However, Martin continued to work on the design, reworking it into a two-engine aircraft, designated Model 162.

This design proved to be a lot more successful, with the Navy quickly ordering for a prototype of the aircraft to be produced. Designated XPBM-1 "Mariner", the prototype conducted its maiden flight in February 1939. Following successful trials, the aircraft was adopted by the USN as early as September 1939 and ordered into production.

In late 1940, Martin received a large order for more flying boats to be manufactured. However, with the company's production capacity being reached, construction of these new machines was delayed. In the meantime, the PBM was further improved by installing new engines, increasing overall size and doubling payload capacity. The new PBM-3 Mariner entered production in 1941, with the first batch of 32 vehicles entering service in 1942.

The Mariners primarily served with the USN as coastal patrol aircraft before the outbreak of WW2. However, after the United States' entry into WW2, Mariners were used in the anti-submarine role in the Atlantic and also took part in operations in the Pacific Theatre.

The PBM-3 Mariner flying boats of the third series served very briefly during WW2, as nearly all PBM-3s from the first series were converted into unarmed transport machines shortly after their construction. Nevertheless, the aircraft proved to be very successful and further models were built in large numbers - in total more than 1360 Mariner vehicles of different modifications. Mariners were also used in small numbers by Great Britain, Australia, Argentina, Uruguay and the Netherlands. The last Mariners were phased out of service during the 1960s, being replaced by newer aircraft.

''- From [[wt:en/news/6040-development-pbm-3-mariner-the-eye-in-the-sky-en|Devblog]]''

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=usa&vehicleType=aircraft&vehicleClass=hydroplane&vehicle=pbm_3 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
File:PBM-3 WTWallpaper 001.jpg
File:PBM-3 WTWallpaper 002.jpg
File:PBM-3 WTWallpaper 003.jpg
File:PBM-3 WTWallpaper 004.jpg
File:PBM-3 WTWallpaper 005.jpg
File:PBM-3 WTWallpaper 006.jpg
File:PBM-3 WTWallpaper 007.jpg
File:PBM-3 WTWallpaper 008.jpg
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|NJAlhvjgrUs|'''{{PAGENAME}} - High bombload, Low Performance''' - ''Napalmratte''|UbkAs7sJp18|'''The {{PAGENAME}} In Game''' - ''TheEuropeanCanadian''}}

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[PBM-1 "Mariner"]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6040-development-pbm-3-mariner-the-eye-in-the-sky-en|[Devblog] PBM-3 Mariner: The Eye in the Sky]]
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/445723-pbm-3/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
* [[wikipedia:Martin_PBM_Mariner|[Wikipedia] Martin PBM Mariner]]
* [http://airvectors.net/avmars.html#m3 <nowiki>[Air Vectors]</nowiki> The Martin Mariner, Mars, & Marlin Flying Boats - PBM-3 Mariner series]

{{AirManufacturer Martin}}
{{USA bombers}}
{{USA premium aircraft}}

M4 (37 mm)

2021-05-17T07:04:27Z

U41796323: added french p-39 link

{{About
| about = aircraft cannon '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| other
| usage-1 = the tank armament
| link-1 = M4 (105 mm)
| usage-2 = other uses
| link-2 = M4 (Disambiguation)
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' (officially the '''37 mm Automatic Gun, M4''') is an American autocannon firing 37x145mmR cartridges. It is predominantly seen on the [[P-39 (Family)|P-39 ''Airacobra'']] series of fighters, and on the early [[P-63 (Family)|P-63 ''Kingcobra'']] fighters as well (namely the {{Specs-Link|p-63a-5|short}} and {{Specs-Link|p-63a-5_ussr|short}} in-game).

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


'''American:'''

* {{Specs-Link|p-39n}}
* {{Specs-Link|p-39q_5}}
* {{Specs-Link|p-63a-5}}
* {{Specs-Link|yp-38}}
* {{Specs-Link|a-26b_10}} (Modification)

'''Soviet:'''

* {{Specs-Link|p-39k_1}}
* {{Specs-Link|p-39n_su}}
* {{Specs-Link|p-39q_15}}

* {{Specs-Link|p-63a-5_ussr}}

'''French:'''

{{Specs}}https://wiki.warthunder.com/P-39Q-25_(France)

== General info ==

The 37 mm autocannon on the P-39 and P-63 has the ability to delete most fighters if a 37 mm HE shells hit. However, the 37 mm suffer from poor trajectory and a relatively low rate of fire compared to other large caliber autocannons.

A specific note for the 37 mm belts in-game is that the Soviet P-39 and P-63 fighters do not have any belt options available. This is due to the historical note that the US did not supply any armour-piercing 37 mm rounds to the Soviets, as they did not consider the P-39 and P-63 for tank-busting duties.

=== Available ammunition ===


* '''Default:''' {{Annotation|HEFI-T*|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}
* '''Universal:''' {{Annotation|HEFI-T*|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEFI-T*|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}
* '''Ground targets:''' {{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEFI-T*|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="7" | Penetration statistics
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Belt
! colspan="6" | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
|-
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
| Default || 3 || 3 || 3 || 3 || 3 || 3
|-
| Universal || 43 || 40 || 30 || 18 || 15 || 11
|-
| Ground targets || 43 || 40 || 30 || 18 || 15 || 11
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="10" | Belt details
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Belt
! rowspan="2" | Type of warhead
! rowspan="2" | Velocity (m/s)
! rowspan="2" | Projectile Mass (kg)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay (m)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity (mm)
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
|-
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
|-
| Default || HEFI-T* || 610 || 0.61 || 0.05 || 0 || 65.25 || 79° || 80° || 81°
|-
|}

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

== Usage in battles ==
''Describe the cannon/machine gun in the game - its distinctive features, tactics of usage against notable opponents. Please don't write a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought.''

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* 30 rounds loaded, can last an entire round with good trigger discipline.
* One hit will usually either directly destroy a single engine fighter or damage it enough to prompt the pilot to return to base
* Particularly good in a close range snapshot situation, quickly ending a dogfight

'''Cons:'''

* Very slow muzzle velocity, requiring a lot of lead to score a hit in a dogfight
* Self destroying HE shells, which limits the range at which they can be used.
* Absolutely useless AP shells, which struggles even with light tanks.
* Very slow rate of fire
* Inaccurate, NEVER count on it during a head on fight

== History ==

The 37 mm autocannon had its root in 1921, designed by famed American firearms designer John M. Browning. Browning and Colt refined the design and was tested as the 37 mm T9 autocannon. It was accepted as the '''37 mm Automatic Gun, M4''', intended for a anti-aircraft weapon for intercepting and shooting down large aircraft.

The 37 mm cannon were mounted onto the P-39 and P-63 series of fighters, but proved unpopular with the pilots. The trajectory drooped harshly over distance and in night time operations, the muzzle flash could blind the pilot.

== 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 article about the variant of the cannon/machine gun;''
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [http://p63kingcobra.com/m4_37mm_auto_cannon.html P-63 Kingcobra - Browning M4 37mm Auto Cannon Gun]
* [http://www.aviation-history.com/guns/m4.htm Aviation History Online Museum - Browning Model M4 (T9) 37 mm Cannon]

{{USA aircraft cannons}}
{{USSR aircraft cannons}}

[[Category:Aircraft cannons]]

M4 (37 mm)

2021-05-17T06:57:30Z

U41796323: /* Description */

{{About
| about = aircraft cannon '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| other
| usage-1 = the tank armament
| link-1 = M4 (105 mm)
| usage-2 = other uses
| link-2 = M4 (Disambiguation)
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' (officially the '''37 mm Automatic Gun, M4''') is an American autocannon firing 37x145mmR cartridges. It is predominantly seen on the [[P-39 (Family)|P-39 ''Airacobra'']] series of fighters, and on the early [[P-63 (Family)|P-63 ''Kingcobra'']] fighters as well (namely the {{Specs-Link|p-63a-5|short}} and {{Specs-Link|p-63a-5_ussr|short}} in-game).

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


'''American:'''

* {{Specs-Link|p-39n}}
* {{Specs-Link|p-39q_5}}
* {{Specs-Link|p-63a-5}}
* {{Specs-Link|yp-38}}
* {{Specs-Link|a-26b_10}} (Modification)

'''Soviet:'''

* {{Specs-Link|p-39k_1}}
* {{Specs-Link|p-39n_su}}
* {{Specs-Link|p-39q_15}}
* {{Specs-Link|p-63a-5_ussr}}

'''French:'''

* {{Specs-Link|p-39q_25_france}}

== General info ==

The 37 mm autocannon on the P-39 and P-63 has the ability to delete most fighters if a 37 mm HE shells hit. However, the 37 mm suffer from poor trajectory and a relatively low rate of fire compared to other large caliber autocannons.

A specific note for the 37 mm belts in-game is that the Soviet P-39 and P-63 fighters do not have any belt options available. This is due to the historical note that the US did not supply any armour-piercing 37 mm rounds to the Soviets, as they did not consider the P-39 and P-63 for tank-busting duties.

=== Available ammunition ===


* '''Default:''' {{Annotation|HEFI-T*|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}
* '''Universal:''' {{Annotation|HEFI-T*|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEFI-T*|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}
* '''Ground targets:''' {{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEFI-T*|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="7" | Penetration statistics
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Belt
! colspan="6" | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
|-
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
| Default || 3 || 3 || 3 || 3 || 3 || 3
|-
| Universal || 43 || 40 || 30 || 18 || 15 || 11
|-
| Ground targets || 43 || 40 || 30 || 18 || 15 || 11
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="10" | Belt details
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Belt
! rowspan="2" | Type of warhead
! rowspan="2" | Velocity (m/s)
! rowspan="2" | Projectile Mass (kg)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay (m)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity (mm)
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
|-
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
|-
| Default || HEFI-T* || 610 || 0.61 || 0.05 || 0 || 65.25 || 79° || 80° || 81°
|-
|}

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

== Usage in battles ==
''Describe the cannon/machine gun in the game - its distinctive features, tactics of usage against notable opponents. Please don't write a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought.''

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* 30 rounds loaded, can last an entire round with good trigger discipline.
* One hit will usually either directly destroy a single engine fighter or damage it enough to prompt the pilot to return to base
* Particularly good in a close range snapshot situation, quickly ending a dogfight

'''Cons:'''

* Very slow muzzle velocity, requiring a lot of lead to score a hit in a dogfight
* Self destroying HE shells, which limits the range at which they can be used.
* Absolutely useless AP shells, which struggles even with light tanks.
* Very slow rate of fire
* Inaccurate, NEVER count on it during a head on fight

== History ==

The 37 mm autocannon had its root in 1921, designed by famed American firearms designer John M. Browning. Browning and Colt refined the design and was tested as the 37 mm T9 autocannon. It was accepted as the '''37 mm Automatic Gun, M4''', intended for a anti-aircraft weapon for intercepting and shooting down large aircraft.

The 37 mm cannon were mounted onto the P-39 and P-63 series of fighters, but proved unpopular with the pilots. The trajectory drooped harshly over distance and in night time operations, the muzzle flash could blind the pilot.

== 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 article about the variant of the cannon/machine gun;''
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [http://p63kingcobra.com/m4_37mm_auto_cannon.html P-63 Kingcobra - Browning M4 37mm Auto Cannon Gun]
* [http://www.aviation-history.com/guns/m4.htm Aviation History Online Museum - Browning Model M4 (T9) 37 mm Cannon]

{{USA aircraft cannons}}
{{USSR aircraft cannons}}

[[Category:Aircraft cannons]]

AN/M2 (20 mm)

2021-05-13T23:59:09Z

U41796323: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = aircraft cannon '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| other
| usage-1 = the naval machine gun
| link-1 = AN-M2 (12.7 mm)
| usage-2 = other uses
| link-2 = M2 (Disambiguation)
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is the US made variant of the [[Hispano_404_(20_mm)|HS.404 (20 mm)]] autocannon produced by the French company Hispano-Suiza in the mid-1930s. This cannon was typically utilised on aircraft and was fitted to airframes such as the [[D.520]], [[F6F-5N]] and the [[P-61C-1]].

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with this weapon}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Fighters'''}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-1c|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f6f-5n|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f6f-5n_france|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|xp-55|short}}

{{Navigation-Line|'''Twin-engine fighters'''}}{{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|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38l_1_china_rocaf|short}}
{{Navigation-Line| }}{{Specs-Link|p-61a_1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-61c_1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|xp-50|short}}

{{Navigation-Line|'''Bombers'''}}{{Specs-Link|btd-1|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|sb2c_1c|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|sb2c_4|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|sb2c_5_france|short}}

{{Navigation-End}}

== General info ==
''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the cannon or machine gun.''

=== Available ammunition ===


* '''Default:''' {{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}
* '''Universal:''' {{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}
* '''Ground targets:''' {{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|P|Practice}}
* '''Air targets:''' {{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}
* '''Stealth:''' {{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|P|Practice}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="7" | Penetration statistics
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Belt
! colspan="6" | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
|-
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
| Default || 33 || 31 || 27 || 24 || 19 || 14
|-
| Universal || 33 || 31 || 27 || 24 || 19 || 14
|-
| Ground targets || 33 || 31 || 27 || 24 || 19 || 14
|-
| Air targets || 33 || 31 || 27 || 24 || 19 || 14
|-
| Stealth || 17 || 15 || 12 || 7 || 6 || 4
|-
|}

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

== Usage in battles ==
''Describe the cannon/machine gun in the game - its distinctive features, tactics of usage against notable opponents. Please don't write a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought.''

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good default belt, consisting of 2/3rds HEF-I shells, Air targets and stealth belts consist of 3/4ths
* Good explosive filler
* Reasonably good rate of fire of 600 RPM
* Decent "snapshot kill" ability, so long as the convergence lines up

'''Cons:'''

* API-T shells penetration is lacklustre and struggles in CAS.
* Stealth belts contain 1/4th practice shells, effectively the ball ammo of cannon calibres
* Tends to jam a lot if fired continuously
* Quite inaccurate unless upgraded.

== 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 ==
''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 article about the variant of the cannon/machine gun;''
* ''references to approximate analogues by 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 weapon;''
* ''other literature.''

{{USA aircraft cannons}}
{{China aircraft cannons}}
{{France aircraft cannons}}

[[Category:Aircraft cannons]]

M2 Browning (12.7 mm)

2021-05-13T23:48:33Z

U41796323: /* Comparison with analogues */

{{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|CW-21}}{{Specs-Link|cw_21}}
{{Navigation-Line|F2A}}{{Specs-Link|f2a-1}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f2a-1_thach}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f2a-3}}
{{Navigation-Line|F3F}}{{Specs-Link|f3f-2}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f3f-2_galer}}
{{Navigation-Line|F4F}}{{Specs-Link|f4f-3}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4f-4}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4f-4_martlet_mk4}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-26}}{{Specs-Link|p-26a_34_m2}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-36}}{{Specs-Link|p-36a}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-36a_rasmussen}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-36c}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-36g}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-39}}{{Specs-Link|p-39k_1}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-39n}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-39n_su}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-39q_5}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-39q_15}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-40}}{{Specs-Link|p-40c}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40c_china}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40e}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40e_td}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40e_ussr}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40e_china}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40f-5_france_ep}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40f_10}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-66}}{{Specs-Link|p-66}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-400}}{{Specs-Link|p-400}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Twin-engine fighters'''}}{{Specs-Link|yp-38}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Strike aircraft'''}}{{Specs-Link|a-20g}}

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

{{Navigation-End}}

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

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Fighters'''}}
{{Navigation-Line|F4U}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-1a}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|corsair_fmk2}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-1a_japan}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-1a_usmc}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-1d}}
{{Navigation-Line|F6F}}{{Specs-Link|f6f-3}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f6f-5_france}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f6f-5n}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f6f-5n_france}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|hellcat_fmk1}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-43}}{{Specs-Link|p-43a-1}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-43a-1_china}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-51}}{{Specs-Link|p-51a_tl}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51c-10-nt}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-63}}{{Specs-Link|p-63a-5}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63a-5_ussr}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63a-10}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63a-10_ussr}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63c-5}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63c-5_kingcobra_animal_version}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63c-5_ussr}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63c-5_france}}
{{Navigation-Line|XP-55}}{{Specs-Link|xp-55}}

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

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Strike aircraft'''}}{{Specs-Link|a-20g}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|a-26b_10}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|a-26b}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51_a-36}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|pbj_1h}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|pbj_1j}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|xa_38}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Bombers'''}}
{{Navigation-Line|A-26}}{{Specs-Link|a-26c}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|a-26c-45-dt}}
{{Navigation-Line|A-29}}{{Specs-Link|a_29_hudson}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|A-35}}{{Specs-Link|a-35b}}
{{Navigation-Line|B-17}}{{Specs-Link|b-17e}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|b-17e_japan}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|B-24}}{{Specs-Link|b_24d}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pb4y-2}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pb4y-2_china}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pb4y-2_france}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|B-25}}{{Specs-Link|b_25j_1}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|b_25j_20}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|b_25j_30_china}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|b_25j_30_vvs_ussr}}
{{Navigation-Line|B-34}}{{Specs-Link|b_34}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|pv_2d}}
{{Navigation-Line|PBM}}{{Specs-Link|pbm_1}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pbm_3}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|PBY-5}}{{Specs-Link|pby-5}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pby-5a}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pby-5a_ussr}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pby-5a_raf}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|SB2U}}{{Specs-Link|sb2u-3}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|Sunderland}}{{Specs-Link|sunderland_mk5}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|TBF-1}}{{Specs-Link|tbf-1c}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|avenger_mk1}} (Defensive)

{{Navigation-End}}

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

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Fighters'''}}
{{Navigation-Line|F2G}}{{Specs-Link|f2g-1}}
{{Navigation-Line|F4U}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-4}}
{{Navigation-Line|F8F}}{{Specs-Link|f8f1}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f8f1b}} (Suspended){{-}}{{Specs-Link|f8f1b_france}} (Suspended)
{{Navigation-Line|P-47D}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d_luftwaffe}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d_16_re_germany}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d_22_re}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|thunderbolt_mk1}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d_22_re_france}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d_23_ra_china_rocaf}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d_ussr}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d-28}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d_30_china}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-47M}}{{Specs-Link|p-47m-1-re}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47m-1-re_boxted}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-47N}}{{Specs-Link|p-47n-15}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-51}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-5}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-10}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-20-na}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-20_china}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-30_usaaf_korea}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51h-5_na}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51k}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Twin-engine fighters'''}}{{Specs-Link|f-82e}} (Suspended){{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38l_1_china_rocaf}} (Suspended){{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38l}} (Suspended)

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

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

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

{{Navigation-End}}

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

{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line|}}<center>{{Specs-Link|beaufighter_mk21}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_ix}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_mk14e}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_fr_mk14e}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_xvi}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_mk18e}}</center>

{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line|}}<center>{{Specs-Link|beaufort_mkviii}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|lancaster_mk3}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|lincoln_b2}} (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 M2 Ammunition'''

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="2" |'''Belt Composition'''
! colspan="6" |'''Belt Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
|-
! colspan="1" |Belt
! colspan="1" |Rounds
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
|'''Default'''|| T {{-}} Ball {{-}} I {{-}} AP || 26 || 25 || 19 || 12 || 4 || 3
|-
|'''Universal'''|| AP {{-}} AP {{-}} AP {{-}} T {{-}} I || 26 || 25 || 19 || 12 || 4 || 3
|-
|'''Ground Targets'''|| T {{-}} AP {{-}} AP {{-}} AP || 26 || 25 || 19 || 12 || 4 || 3
|-
|'''Tracers'''|| T {{-}} T {{-}} T {{-}} AP || 26 || 25 || 19 || 12 || 4 || 3
|-
|'''Stealth'''|| AP {{-}} I {{-}} AP || 26 || 25 || 19 || 12 || 4 || 3
|}

{{sp-begin|Bullet Names}}
'''T -''' M1 Tracer bullet

'''Ball -''' M2 Omni-purpose bullet

'''I -''' M1 Incendiary bullet

'''AP -''' M2 Armor-piercing bullet
{{sp-end}}

'''Mid M2 Ammunition'''

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="2" |'''Belt Composition'''
! colspan="6" |'''Belt Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
|-
! colspan="1" |Belt
! colspan="1" |Rounds
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
|'''Default'''||T {{-}} Ball {{-}} Ball {{-}} I {{-}} AP-I || 23 || 22|| 16 || 10 || 3 || 3
|-
|'''Universal'''|| AP-I {{-}} AP-I {{-}} AP-I {{-}} T {{-}} I || 23 || 22 || 16 || 10 || 3 || 3
|-
|'''Ground Targets'''|| T {{-}} AP {{-}} AP {{-}} AP {{-}} AP-I {{-}} I || 26 || 25 || 19 || 12 || 4 || 3
|-
|'''Tracers'''|| T {{-}} T {{-}} T {{-}} T {{-}} T {{-}} AP-I || 23 || 22 || 16 || 10 || 3 || 3
|-
|'''Stealth'''|| AP {{-}} AP-I {{-}} AP-I {{-}} I {{-}} I || 26 || 25 || 19 || 12 || 4|| 3
|}

{{sp-begin|Bullet Names}}
'''T -''' M1 Tracer bullet

'''Ball -''' M2 Omni-purpose bullet

'''I -''' M1 Incendiary bullet

'''AP-I -''' M8 Armor-piercing incendiary bullet

'''AP -''' M2 Armor-piercing bullet
{{sp-end}}

'''Late M2 Ammunition'''

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="2" |'''Belt Composition'''
! colspan="6" |'''Belt Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
|-
! colspan="1" |Belt
! colspan="1" |Rounds
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
|'''Default'''|| API-T {{-}} AP {{-}} AP {{-}} I || 26 || 25 || 19 || 12 || 4 || 3
|-
|'''Universal'''|| AP-I {{-}} AP-I {{-}} API-T {{-}} I {{-}} I || 23 || 22 || 16 || 10 || 4 || 3
|-
|'''Ground Targets'''||API-T {{-}} I {{-}} AP {{-}} AP {{-}} AP-I {{-}} AP-I || 26 || 25 || 19 || 12 || 4 || 3
|-
|'''Tracers'''|| API-T || 23 || 22 || 16 || 10 || 4 || 3
|-
|'''Stealth'''|| API {{-}} I || 23 || 22 || 16 || 10 || 4 || 3
|}

{{sp-begin|Bullet Names}}
'''API-T -''' M20 Armor-piercing incendiary tracer bullet

'''AP -''' M2 Armor-piercing bullet

'''I (Default only) -''' M1 Incendiary bullet

'''AP-I -''' M8 Armor-piercing incendiary bullet

'''I -''' M23 Incendiary bullet
{{sp-end}}

'''British M2 Ammunition'''

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="2" |'''Belt Composition'''
! colspan="6" |'''Belt Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
|-
! colspan="1" |Belt
! colspan="1" |Rounds
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
|'''Default'''|| T {{-}} Ball {{-}} Ball {{-}} IAI {{-}} AP-I || 26 || 25 || 16 || 12 || 3 || 3
|-
|'''Universal'''|| AP-I {{-}} AP-I {{-}} AP-I {{-}} T {{-}} IAI || 26 || 25 || 16 || 12 || 3 || 3
|-
|'''Ground Targets'''|| T {{-}} AP {{-}} AP {{-}} AP-I {{-}} AP-I {{-}} IAI || 26 || 25 || 19 || 12 || 4 || 3
|-
|'''Tracers'''|| T {{-}} T {{-}} T {{-}} T {{-}} T {{-}} AP-I || 26 || 25 || 16 || 12 || 0 || 0
|-
|'''Stealth'''||AP-I {{-}} AP-I {{-}} AP-I {{-}} IAI {{-}} IAI || 26 || 25 || 16 || 12 || 3 || 3
|}

{{sp-begin|Bullet Names}}
'''T -''' Tracer bullet

'''Ball -''' Omni-purpose bullet

'''IAI -''' Immediate-action incendiary bullet

'''AP-I -''' Armor-piercing incendiary bullet

'''AP -''' M2 armor-piercing bullet
{{sp-end}}

=== Comparison with analogues ===
Comparable in damage and or rate of fire to other contemporary heavy caliber machine guns such as the Soviet Berezin UB 12.7mm, German MG151-15mm and MG131 13mm, Swedish 13.2mm (based on Browning M2), Breda-SAFAT 12.7mm, HO-103 12.7. Also comparable in damage to some early 20mms such as the MG-FF or MG-C30/L.

== 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 ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, 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]]
* [[Akan m/45 (12.7 mm)]] - Swedish license-built M2 Browning

== 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)

2021-05-13T23:47:58Z

U41796323: /* Comparison with analogues */

{{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|CW-21}}{{Specs-Link|cw_21}}
{{Navigation-Line|F2A}}{{Specs-Link|f2a-1}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f2a-1_thach}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f2a-3}}
{{Navigation-Line|F3F}}{{Specs-Link|f3f-2}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f3f-2_galer}}
{{Navigation-Line|F4F}}{{Specs-Link|f4f-3}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4f-4}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4f-4_martlet_mk4}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-26}}{{Specs-Link|p-26a_34_m2}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-36}}{{Specs-Link|p-36a}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-36a_rasmussen}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-36c}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-36g}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-39}}{{Specs-Link|p-39k_1}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-39n}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-39n_su}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-39q_5}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-39q_15}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-40}}{{Specs-Link|p-40c}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40c_china}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40e}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40e_td}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40e_ussr}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40e_china}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40f-5_france_ep}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-40f_10}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-66}}{{Specs-Link|p-66}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-400}}{{Specs-Link|p-400}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Twin-engine fighters'''}}{{Specs-Link|yp-38}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Strike aircraft'''}}{{Specs-Link|a-20g}}

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

{{Navigation-End}}

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

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Fighters'''}}
{{Navigation-Line|F4U}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-1a}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|corsair_fmk2}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-1a_japan}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-1a_usmc}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-1d}}
{{Navigation-Line|F6F}}{{Specs-Link|f6f-3}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f6f-5_france}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f6f-5n}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f6f-5n_france}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|hellcat_fmk1}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-43}}{{Specs-Link|p-43a-1}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-43a-1_china}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-51}}{{Specs-Link|p-51a_tl}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51c-10-nt}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-63}}{{Specs-Link|p-63a-5}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63a-5_ussr}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63a-10}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63a-10_ussr}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63c-5}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63c-5_kingcobra_animal_version}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63c-5_ussr}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-63c-5_france}}
{{Navigation-Line|XP-55}}{{Specs-Link|xp-55}}

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

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Strike aircraft'''}}{{Specs-Link|a-20g}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|a-26b_10}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|a-26b}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51_a-36}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|pbj_1h}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|pbj_1j}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|xa_38}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Bombers'''}}
{{Navigation-Line|A-26}}{{Specs-Link|a-26c}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|a-26c-45-dt}}
{{Navigation-Line|A-29}}{{Specs-Link|a_29_hudson}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|A-35}}{{Specs-Link|a-35b}}
{{Navigation-Line|B-17}}{{Specs-Link|b-17e}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|b-17e_japan}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|B-24}}{{Specs-Link|b_24d}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pb4y-2}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pb4y-2_china}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pb4y-2_france}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|B-25}}{{Specs-Link|b_25j_1}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|b_25j_20}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|b_25j_30_china}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|b_25j_30_vvs_ussr}}
{{Navigation-Line|B-34}}{{Specs-Link|b_34}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|pv_2d}}
{{Navigation-Line|PBM}}{{Specs-Link|pbm_1}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pbm_3}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|PBY-5}}{{Specs-Link|pby-5}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pby-5a}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pby-5a_ussr}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|pby-5a_raf}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|SB2U}}{{Specs-Link|sb2u-3}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|Sunderland}}{{Specs-Link|sunderland_mk5}} (Defensive)
{{Navigation-Line|TBF-1}}{{Specs-Link|tbf-1c}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|avenger_mk1}} (Defensive)

{{Navigation-End}}

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

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Fighters'''}}
{{Navigation-Line|F2G}}{{Specs-Link|f2g-1}}
{{Navigation-Line|F4U}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-4}}
{{Navigation-Line|F8F}}{{Specs-Link|f8f1}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f8f1b}} (Suspended){{-}}{{Specs-Link|f8f1b_france}} (Suspended)
{{Navigation-Line|P-47D}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d_luftwaffe}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d_16_re_germany}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d_22_re}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|thunderbolt_mk1}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d_22_re_france}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d_23_ra_china_rocaf}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d_ussr}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d-28}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47d_30_china}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-47M}}{{Specs-Link|p-47m-1-re}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-47m-1-re_boxted}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-47N}}{{Specs-Link|p-47n-15}}
{{Navigation-Line|P-51}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-5}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-10}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-20-na}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-20_china}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51d-30_usaaf_korea}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51h-5_na}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-51k}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Twin-engine fighters'''}}{{Specs-Link|f-82e}} (Suspended){{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38l_1_china_rocaf}} (Suspended){{-}}{{Specs-Link|p-38l}} (Suspended)

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

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

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

{{Navigation-End}}

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

{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line|}}<center>{{Specs-Link|beaufighter_mk21}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_ix}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_mk14e}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_fr_mk14e}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_xvi}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|spitfire_mk18e}}</center>

{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line|}}<center>{{Specs-Link|beaufort_mkviii}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|lancaster_mk3}} (Defensive){{-}}{{Specs-Link|lincoln_b2}} (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 M2 Ammunition'''

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="2" |'''Belt Composition'''
! colspan="6" |'''Belt Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
|-
! colspan="1" |Belt
! colspan="1" |Rounds
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
|'''Default'''|| T {{-}} Ball {{-}} I {{-}} AP || 26 || 25 || 19 || 12 || 4 || 3
|-
|'''Universal'''|| AP {{-}} AP {{-}} AP {{-}} T {{-}} I || 26 || 25 || 19 || 12 || 4 || 3
|-
|'''Ground Targets'''|| T {{-}} AP {{-}} AP {{-}} AP || 26 || 25 || 19 || 12 || 4 || 3
|-
|'''Tracers'''|| T {{-}} T {{-}} T {{-}} AP || 26 || 25 || 19 || 12 || 4 || 3
|-
|'''Stealth'''|| AP {{-}} I {{-}} AP || 26 || 25 || 19 || 12 || 4 || 3
|}

{{sp-begin|Bullet Names}}
'''T -''' M1 Tracer bullet

'''Ball -''' M2 Omni-purpose bullet

'''I -''' M1 Incendiary bullet

'''AP -''' M2 Armor-piercing bullet
{{sp-end}}

'''Mid M2 Ammunition'''

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="2" |'''Belt Composition'''
! colspan="6" |'''Belt Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
|-
! colspan="1" |Belt
! colspan="1" |Rounds
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
|'''Default'''||T {{-}} Ball {{-}} Ball {{-}} I {{-}} AP-I || 23 || 22|| 16 || 10 || 3 || 3
|-
|'''Universal'''|| AP-I {{-}} AP-I {{-}} AP-I {{-}} T {{-}} I || 23 || 22 || 16 || 10 || 3 || 3
|-
|'''Ground Targets'''|| T {{-}} AP {{-}} AP {{-}} AP {{-}} AP-I {{-}} I || 26 || 25 || 19 || 12 || 4 || 3
|-
|'''Tracers'''|| T {{-}} T {{-}} T {{-}} T {{-}} T {{-}} AP-I || 23 || 22 || 16 || 10 || 3 || 3
|-
|'''Stealth'''|| AP {{-}} AP-I {{-}} AP-I {{-}} I {{-}} I || 26 || 25 || 19 || 12 || 4|| 3
|}

{{sp-begin|Bullet Names}}
'''T -''' M1 Tracer bullet

'''Ball -''' M2 Omni-purpose bullet

'''I -''' M1 Incendiary bullet

'''AP-I -''' M8 Armor-piercing incendiary bullet

'''AP -''' M2 Armor-piercing bullet
{{sp-end}}

'''Late M2 Ammunition'''

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="2" |'''Belt Composition'''
! colspan="6" |'''Belt Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
|-
! colspan="1" |Belt
! colspan="1" |Rounds
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
|'''Default'''|| API-T {{-}} AP {{-}} AP {{-}} I || 26 || 25 || 19 || 12 || 4 || 3
|-
|'''Universal'''|| AP-I {{-}} AP-I {{-}} API-T {{-}} I {{-}} I || 23 || 22 || 16 || 10 || 4 || 3
|-
|'''Ground Targets'''||API-T {{-}} I {{-}} AP {{-}} AP {{-}} AP-I {{-}} AP-I || 26 || 25 || 19 || 12 || 4 || 3
|-
|'''Tracers'''|| API-T || 23 || 22 || 16 || 10 || 4 || 3
|-
|'''Stealth'''|| API {{-}} I || 23 || 22 || 16 || 10 || 4 || 3
|}

{{sp-begin|Bullet Names}}
'''API-T -''' M20 Armor-piercing incendiary tracer bullet

'''AP -''' M2 Armor-piercing bullet

'''I (Default only) -''' M1 Incendiary bullet

'''AP-I -''' M8 Armor-piercing incendiary bullet

'''I -''' M23 Incendiary bullet
{{sp-end}}

'''British M2 Ammunition'''

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="2" |'''Belt Composition'''
! colspan="6" |'''Belt Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
|-
! colspan="1" |Belt
! colspan="1" |Rounds
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
|'''Default'''|| T {{-}} Ball {{-}} Ball {{-}} IAI {{-}} AP-I || 26 || 25 || 16 || 12 || 3 || 3
|-
|'''Universal'''|| AP-I {{-}} AP-I {{-}} AP-I {{-}} T {{-}} IAI || 26 || 25 || 16 || 12 || 3 || 3
|-
|'''Ground Targets'''|| T {{-}} AP {{-}} AP {{-}} AP-I {{-}} AP-I {{-}} IAI || 26 || 25 || 19 || 12 || 4 || 3
|-
|'''Tracers'''|| T {{-}} T {{-}} T {{-}} T {{-}} T {{-}} AP-I || 26 || 25 || 16 || 12 || 0 || 0
|-
|'''Stealth'''||AP-I {{-}} AP-I {{-}} AP-I {{-}} IAI {{-}} IAI || 26 || 25 || 16 || 12 || 3 || 3
|}

{{sp-begin|Bullet Names}}
'''T -''' Tracer bullet

'''Ball -''' Omni-purpose bullet

'''IAI -''' Immediate-action incendiary bullet

'''AP-I -''' Armor-piercing incendiary bullet

'''AP -''' M2 armor-piercing bullet
{{sp-end}}

=== Comparison with analogues ===
Comparable in damage and or rate of fire to other contemporary heavy caliber machine guns such as the Soviet Berezin UB 12.7mm, German MG151-15mm and MG131 13mm, Swedish 13.2mm (based on Browning M2), Breda-SAFAT 12.7mm, HO-103 12.7. Also comparable in damage to some early 20mms such as the MG-FF or MG-C30/L

== 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 ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, 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]]
* [[Akan m/45 (12.7 mm)]] - Swedish license-built M2 Browning

== 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]]