MG 151 (20 mm) - Revision history

U22067555: Added He 177 A-3

2024-11-22T11:24:11Z

Added He 177 A-3

U44629479: /* Vehicles equipped with this weapon */ Added Bf 109 F-4 (Italy)

2023-02-08T12:00:43Z

‎Vehicles equipped with this weapon: Added Bf 109 F-4 (Italy)

U62647270: /* Usage in battles */ Minor language corrections

2022-12-16T16:47:41Z

‎Usage in battles: Minor language corrections

U44629479: Edits

2022-11-22T14:18:26Z

Edits

U17577377: /* Media */

2022-11-22T13:44:59Z

‎Media

U38088265: /* Vehicles equipped with this weapon */

2022-11-11T21:31:26Z

‎Vehicles equipped with this weapon

U17577377: /* Vehicles equipped with this weapon */

2022-10-27T21:40:12Z

‎Vehicles equipped with this weapon

U38088265: /* Available ammunition */ Updated

2022-10-07T17:12:18Z

‎Available ammunition: Updated

U38088265: /* History */

2022-09-26T21:48:15Z

‎History

U137319744: /* History */ added history

2022-09-26T20:42:53Z

‎History: added history

@@ Line 50: / Line 50: @@
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@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 {{Navigation-First-Line|'''Fighters'''}}
-{{Navigation-Line|Bf 109 F}}{{Specs-Link|bf-109f-4}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|bf-109f-4_trop}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|bf-109f-4_usa}}
+{{Navigation-Line|Bf 109 F}}{{Specs-Link|bf-109f-4}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|bf-109f-4_trop}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|bf-109f-4_usa}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|bf-109f-4_hungary}}
 {{Navigation-Line|Bf 109 G}}{{Specs-Link|bf-109g-2_romania}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|bf-109g-2_hungary}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|bf-109g-2}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|bf-109g-2_finland}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|bf-109g-6}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|bf-109g-6_finland}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|bf-109g-6_erla_finland}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|bf-109g-10}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|bf-109g-14}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|bf-109g-14as}}
 {{Navigation-Line|Bf 109 K}}{{Specs-Link|bf-109k-4}}&nbsp;(Suspended)

@@ Line 158: / Line 158: @@
 The 20 mm MG 151 is very dangerous against air targets due to the Minengeschoß shell, which makes the MG 151/20 arguably the best 20 mm cannon against air targets. Unless other ammunition is needed for a specific reason, always choose the ammo belt with most Minengeschoß available.
-With "air targets" belt, it usually take a short burst of 20 - 30 rounds to take down an average fighter, 30 - 50 rounds for a heavy fighter or a ground attack aircraft, and 100 - 150 rounds for a heavy bomber. Due to the gun's fast rate of fire, however, it is quite easy to empty all of the ammo before you managed to finish the targets without proper aiming, especially without the help of gun pods. Thus, the MG 151 will often requires trigger discipline for better results, with an ace being achiveable in a single sortle with a proper ammo conservation.
+With "air targets" belt, it usually take a short burst of 20 - 30 rounds to take down an average fighter, 30 - 50 rounds for a heavy fighter or a ground attack aircraft, and 100 - 150 rounds for a heavy bomber. Due to the gun's fast rate of fire, however, it is quite easy to empty all of the ammo before you managed to finish the targets without proper aiming, especially without the help of gun pods. Thus, the MG 151 will often requires trigger discipline for better results, with an ace being achieveable in a single sortie with a proper ammo conservation.
-However, despite the MG 151's stellar characteristics, the gun is also infamous due to its poor stock performances. Owning to the fact that only 1/4 of its stock belt contains the "Minengeschoß" round, while the other rounds were a near-useless incendiary shell with a performance akin to that of a practice shell found on the Hispano autocannons, as well as a poor APHE rounds that often over-penetrates the enemy airframe and thus were unable not detonate. Due to this, it is best to treat the stock MG 151 like an oversized heavy machine guns. Firing a long burst to get more chance of hitting the enemy with Minengeschoß rounds until the upgraded belts is available.
+However, despite the MG 151's stellar characteristics, the gun is also infamous due to its poor stock performances. Owing to the fact that only 1/4 of its stock belt contains the "Minengeschoß" round, while the other rounds were a near-useless incendiary shell with a performance akin to that of a practice shell found on the Hispano autocannons, as well as poor APHE rounds that often over-penetrates the enemy airframe and thus were unable not detonate. Due to this, it is best to treat the stock MG 151 like an oversized heavy machine gun. Firing a long burst to get more chance of hitting the enemy with Minengeschoß rounds until the upgraded belts are available.
 === Pros and cons ===

@@ Line 192: / Line 192: @@
 ;Videos
-{{Youtube-gallery|HSIa5NwBTG8|'''Minengeschoß: More Bang for Your Buck'''|djKhmYXyNjo|'''Top 7 Autocannons''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 03:33 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}
+{{Youtube-gallery|HSIa5NwBTG8|'''Minengeschoß: More Bang for Your Buck''' - ''Militaria Reviewed''|djKhmYXyNjo|'''Top 7 Autocannons''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 03:33 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}
 == See also ==

@@ Line 192: / Line 192: @@
 ;Videos
-{{Youtube-gallery|djKhmYXyNjo|'''Top 7 Autocannons''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 03:33 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}
+{{Youtube-gallery|HSIa5NwBTG8|'''Minengeschoß: More Bang for Your Buck'''|djKhmYXyNjo|'''Top 7 Autocannons''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 03:33 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}
 == See also ==

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 {{Navigation-Line|C.202}}{{Specs-Link|mc-202_ec}}
 {{Navigation-Line|C.205}}{{Specs-Link|mc-205_serie3}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|mc-205_n2}}
-{{Navigation-Line|Fw 190 A}}{{Specs-Link|fw-190a-4}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fw-190a-5_cannons}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fw-190a-5_u2}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fw-190a-5|Fw 190 A-5/U12}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fw-190a-5_japan}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fw-190a-8}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fw-190a-8_usa}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fw-190a-8_france}}
+{{Navigation-Line|Fw 190 A}}{{Specs-Link|fw-190a-4}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fw-190a-5_cannons}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fw-190a-5_u2}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fw-190a-5|Fw 190 A-5/U12}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fw_190a_5_u14}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fw-190a-5_japan}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fw-190a-8}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fw-190a-8_usa}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fw-190a-8_france}}
 {{Navigation-Line|Fw 190 C}}{{Specs-Link|fw-190c}}
 {{Navigation-Line|Fw 190 D}}{{Specs-Link|fw-190d-9}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fw-190d-9_ussr}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fw-190d-12}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fw-190d-13}}

@@ Line 93: / Line 93: @@
 ! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
 |-
-| Default || 27 || 25 || 18 || 12 || 8 || 6
+| Default || 26 || 24 || 15 || 8 || 4 || 3
 |-
-| Universal || 27 || 25 || 18 || 12 || 8 || 5
+| Universal || 26 || 24 || 15 || 8 || 4 || 3
 |-
-| Air targets || 27 || 25 || 18 || 12 || 8 || 5
+| Air targets || 26 || 24 || 15 || 8 || 4 || 3
 |-
-| Armoured targets || 27 || 25 || 18 || 12 || 8 || 6
+| Armoured targets || 26 || 24 || 15 || 8 || 4 || 3
 |-
-| Tracers || 26 || 25 || 18 || 12 || 8 || 6
+| Tracers || 26 || 24 || 15 || 8 || 6 || 6
 |-
-| Stealth || 27 || 24 || 18 || 12 || 8 || 6
+| Stealth || 26 || 23 || 13 || 7 || 3 || 3
 |-
-| Default (turret) || 27 || 25 || 18 || 12 || 8 || 6
+| Default (turret) || 26 || 24 || 15 || 8 || 4 || 3
 |-
-| Armoured targets (turret) || 27 || 25 || 18 || 12 || 8 || 6
+| Armoured targets (turret) || 26 || 24 || 15 || 8 || 4 || 3
 |-
-| Universal (turret) || 26 || 25 || 18 || 12 || 8 || 5
+| Universal (turret) || 26 || 24 || 15 || 8 || 4 || 3
 |-
 |}
@@ Line 125: / Line 125: @@
 ! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
 |-
-| Default || 26 || 24 || 17 || 11 || 7 || 5
+| Default || 26 || 23 || 13 || 6 || 3 || 3
 |-
 |}

@@ Line 161: / Line 161: @@
 However, despite the MG 151's stellar characteristics, the gun is also infamous due to its poor stock performances. Owning to the fact that only 1/4 of its stock belt contains the "Minengeschoß" round, while the other rounds were a near-useless incendiary shell with a performance akin to that of a practice shell found on the Hispano autocannons, as well as a poor APHE rounds that often over-penetrates the enemy airframe and thus were unable not detonate. Due to this, it is best to treat the stock MG 151 like an oversized heavy machine guns. Firing a long burst to get more chance of hitting the enemy with Minengeschoß rounds until the upgraded belts is available.
 === Pros and cons ===
 <!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the weaponry in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark pros and cons as a list.'' -->
@@ Line 179: / Line 180: @@
 == History ==
-The [[MG 151 (15 mm)|MG 151]] was originally developed for a 15mm cartridge which was small enough to fit between the cylinder banks of their V-12 aircraft engines and offered a higher velocity compared to the 20mm cannons of their Allied opponents. However, in 1941, Germany recognized that in air combat, explosive power is more important than high velocity. As a result, in 1941, the MG-151 was re-chambered to fire a 20mm shell based on cartridge used by the [[MG FF (20 mm)|MG FF]], but necked up and with a longer case body meaning that the conversion mostly involved changing the barrel. The MG 151 was introduced on the [[Bf 109 F-4]], and would remain one of the main fighter cannons for Germany during World War II and would be popularly exported to other nations in the Axis mounted on Japanese [[Ki-61-I hei]], Italian [[Re.2005 serie 0]], and Romanian [[IAR-81C]] fighters. However, Germany's attempt to make an explosive shell for the MG 151 became its downfall. The Minengeschoß (Mine Shell) rounds were ineffective against the Allied heavy bombers taking about 15-20 hits to down one while the a 30mm cannon such as the [[MK 103 (30 mm)|MK 103]] needed only 3 or 4 hits to down. As a result, the MK 103 and its shorter-barrelled cousin the [[MK 108 (30 mm)|MK 108]], began to replace the MG 151 as the Luftwaffee's (German Air Force) main cannon near the end of the war and it was adapted by the Volkssturm (German national militia) for use as anti-aircraft weapon along being used to upgrade the 15mm armed [[Sd.Kfz.251/21]]. After the war, the MG 151 was used by the French Armée de l'Air (Air Force) and Aviation légère de l’armée de Terre (Land Army Light Aviation). In both fixed and flexible configurations, the MG 151 was by the French in multiple aircraft including helicopters such as their H-21C Workhorse and [[H-34 (France)|H-34]] helicopters used in Algeria. The flexible variants were modified with insulating sleeve to protect the user's hands. The MG 151 also use in the Portuguese and Rhodesian versions of the [[SA 316B Alouette III]], and a variant called the Vektor GA-1 was built by Denel in South Africa.
+<!-- ''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 ==

@@ Line 78: / Line 78: @@
 * '''Tracers:''' {{Annotation|FI-T|Fragmentation incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|FI-T|Fragmentation incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|FI-T|Fragmentation incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|IT|Incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|IT|Incendiary tracer}}
 * '''Stealth:''' {{Annotation|HEI|High-explosive incendiary (minengeschoß)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI|High-explosive incendiary (minengeschoß)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI|High-explosive incendiary (minengeschoß)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|APHE|Armour-piercing high-explosive}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-I|Armour-piercing incendiary}}
@@ Line 171: / Line 172: @@
 '''Cons:'''
 * Its stock belt is notoriously unreliable due to the ineffective incendiary and APHE shell
 * Still lower muzzle velocity compared to most machine guns
@@ Line 177: / Line 179: @@
 == 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>.''
+The [[MG 151 (15 mm)|MG 151]] was originally developed for a 15mm cartridge which was small enough to fit between the cylinder banks of their V-12 aircraft engines and offered a higher velocity compared to the 20mm cannons of their Allied opponents. However, in 1941, Germany recognized that in air combat, explosive power is more important than high velocity. As a result, in 1941, the MG-151 was re-chambered to fire a 20mm shell based on cartridge used by the [[MG FF (20 mm)|MG FF]], but necked up and with a longer case body meaning that the conversion mostly involved changing the barrel. The MG 151 was introduced on the [[Bf 109 F-4]], and would remain one of the main fighter cannons for Germany during World War II and would be popularly exported to other nations in the Axis mounted on Japanese [[Ki-61-I hei]], Italian [[Re.2005 serie 0]], and Romanian [[IAR-81C]] fighters. However, Germany's attempt to make an explosive shell for the MG 151 became its downfall. The Minengeschoß (Mine Shell) rounds were ineffective against the Allied heavy bombers taking about 15-20 hits to down one while the a 30mm cannon such as the [[MK 103 (30 mm)|MK 103]] needed only 3 or 4 hits to down. As a result, the MK 103 and its shorter-barrelled cousin the [[MK 108 (30 mm)|MK 108]], began to replace the MG 151 as the Luftwaffee's (German Air Force) main cannon near the end of the war and it was adapted by the Volkssturm (German national militia) for use as anti-aircraft weapon along being used to upgrade the 15mm armed [[Sd.Kfz.251/21]]. After the war, the MG 151 was used by the French Armée de l'Air (Air Force) and Aviation légère de l’armée de Terre (Land Army Light Aviation). In both fixed and flexible configurations, the MG 151 was by the French in multiple aircraft including helicopters such as their H-21C Workhorse and [[H-34 (France)|H-34]] helicopters used in Algeria. The flexible variants were modified with insulating sleeve to protect the user's hands. The MG 151 also use in the Portuguese and Rhodesian versions of the [[SA 316B Alouette III]], and a variant called the Vektor GA-1 was built by Denel in South Africa.
 == Media ==
@@ Line 183: / Line 185: @@
 ;Images
-<gallery mode="packed-hover"  heights="200">
+<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="200">
 File:1280px-Mauser MG 151.jpg|<small>MG 151/20</small>
 </gallery>
@@ Line 203: / Line 205: @@
 == External links ==
 ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 * ''topic on the official game forum;''
 * ''other literature.''