Difference between revisions of "M3 (20 mm)"
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(Most information is meant for the Hispano Mk. V cannons; changes have been made to reflect the American M3 20mm cannon.) (Tag: Visual edit) |
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<!-- ''Give a comparative description of cannons/machine guns that have firepower equal to this weapon.'' --> | <!-- ''Give a comparative description of cannons/machine guns that have firepower equal to this weapon.'' --> | ||
| − | * [[MG 151/20 (20 mm)|MG 151/20]] - Powerful Minengeschoss shells are superior to AN/M3 ammunition. However, the AN/M3 has a faster fire rate and about 30 m/s faster shell velocity, making ranged shots easier. The AN/M3 also has more hitting power and is more consistent than its German cousin. | + | * [[MG 151/20 (20 mm)|MG 151/20]] - Powerful Minengeschoss shells are superior to AN/M3 ammunition. However, the AN/M3 has a faster fire rate and about 30 m/s faster shell velocity, making ranged shots easier. The AN/M3 also has more hitting power and is more consistent than its German cousin. In addition, the AN/M3 cannons are far more accurate. |
* [[Hispano Mk.V (20 mm)|Hispano Mk.V]]- As the AN/M3 is an American copy of the Hispano Mk V, these two weapons are almost completely identical. Historically, the AN/M3 was more prone to jamming than its British counterpart. | * [[Hispano Mk.V (20 mm)|Hispano Mk.V]]- As the AN/M3 is an American copy of the Hispano Mk V, these two weapons are almost completely identical. Historically, the AN/M3 was more prone to jamming than its British counterpart. | ||
* [[AN/M2 (20 mm)|AN/M2]]- Superior in every way. The AN/M3 is more reliable and has a higher fire rate compared to its older brother. | * [[AN/M2 (20 mm)|AN/M2]]- Superior in every way. The AN/M3 is more reliable and has a higher fire rate compared to its older brother. | ||
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== Usage in battles == | == 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.'' --> | <!-- ''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.'' --> | ||
| − | The high fire rate of this cannon makes it a great choice for engaging almost any enemy fighter or bomber. The only limitation is the pilot's skill and the speed and | + | The high fire rate of this cannon makes it a great choice for engaging almost any enemy fighter or bomber. The only limitation is the pilot's skill and the speed and maneuverability of the plane it is mounted on. The HEF-I (High Explosive Fragmentation - Incendiary) round can easily rip wings into shreds or set fuel tanks on fire. However, it is important to fire in short bursts, as the high fire rate will drain your ammunition. Though not as prone to jamming as the [[AN/M2 (20 mm)|AN/M2]] before it, the AN/M3 can still jam easily if the New 20mm Cannons modification is not yet unlocked. |
=== Pros and cons === | === Pros and cons === | ||
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'''Pros:''' | '''Pros:''' | ||
| − | * HEF- | + | * HEF-I ammo is great for tearing up wings and other modules |
* High fire rate | * High fire rate | ||
* Often 4 cannons are present on the aircraft, providing massive amounts of firepower | * Often 4 cannons are present on the aircraft, providing massive amounts of firepower | ||
| − | * Stealth rounds have lots of | + | * Stealth rounds have lots of HEF-I ammo, with the lack of tracers makes it hard for enemies to evade shots |
* Often very generous amount of ammunition, as common on US aircraft | * Often very generous amount of ammunition, as common on US aircraft | ||
'''Cons:''' | '''Cons:''' | ||
| − | |||
* Prone to jamming, especially when stock | * Prone to jamming, especially when stock | ||
| − | * | + | * Increased fire rate compared with it's counterparts may deplete ammo reserves far faster |
| − | |||
* Horrific stock accuracy | * Horrific stock accuracy | ||
Revision as of 13:02, 17 October 2020
| This page is about the aircraft cannon M3 (20 mm). For other uses, see M3 (Disambiguation). |
Contents
Description
The Army-Navy Model 3, or AN/M3 for short, was a 20 mm aircraft-mounted autocannon used by both the US Army Air Forces (later the USAF) and US Navy. The cannon was based on the British Hispano Mk.V, itself a modification of the Swiss Hispano-Suiza H.S.404. Compared to its earlier cousin, the AN/M2, the AN/M3 had a faster rate of fire and used lubricated, percussion-primed ammunition that was less prone to jamming, which was a major problem on the Hispano Mk.II. Lubrication was provided by a pump that dropped semi-fluid lubricating oil (LSA) onto the rounds before firing. The gun had a gas-assisted blowback operation, with recoil being used to load the next round.
The US Navy extensively used the AN/M3 on fighters starting in late WW2 and until the 1950s, when they were replaced by more modern cannons and air-to-air missiles. The cannon was mounted, usually 2 to a wing, on planes such as the F4U-4B and later versions of the Corsair, the Grumman F8F-1B Bearcat, and the F9F Panther jet fighter.
Vehicles equipped with this weapon
| Vehicles equipped with this weapon | |
|---|---|
| Fighters | F4U-4B · F4U-4B VMF-214 · F4U-7 · F8F-1B · ▄F8F-1B |
| Twin-engine fighters | F7F-1 · F7F-3 |
| Jet fighters | F2H-2 · F3D-1 · F9F-2 · F9F-5 · F9F-8 |
| Attackers | AD-2 · AD-4 · ▄AD-4 · AU-1 |
| Attack helicopters | H-34 (Suspended) |
General info
Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the cannon or machine gun.
Available ammunition
- Default Belt: HEF-I/HEF-I/API-T
- Universal: HEF-I/API-T
- Ground Targets: API-T/API-T/HEF-I/Practice
- Air Targets: HEF-I/API-T/HEF-I/HEF-I
- Stealth: HEF-I/HEF-I/HEF-I/Practice
Comparison with analogues
- MG 151/20 - Powerful Minengeschoss shells are superior to AN/M3 ammunition. However, the AN/M3 has a faster fire rate and about 30 m/s faster shell velocity, making ranged shots easier. The AN/M3 also has more hitting power and is more consistent than its German cousin. In addition, the AN/M3 cannons are far more accurate.
- Hispano Mk.V- As the AN/M3 is an American copy of the Hispano Mk V, these two weapons are almost completely identical. Historically, the AN/M3 was more prone to jamming than its British counterpart.
- AN/M2- Superior in every way. The AN/M3 is more reliable and has a higher fire rate compared to its older brother.
Usage in battles
The high fire rate of this cannon makes it a great choice for engaging almost any enemy fighter or bomber. The only limitation is the pilot's skill and the speed and maneuverability of the plane it is mounted on. The HEF-I (High Explosive Fragmentation - Incendiary) round can easily rip wings into shreds or set fuel tanks on fire. However, it is important to fire in short bursts, as the high fire rate will drain your ammunition. Though not as prone to jamming as the AN/M2 before it, the AN/M3 can still jam easily if the New 20mm Cannons modification is not yet unlocked.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- HEF-I ammo is great for tearing up wings and other modules
- High fire rate
- Often 4 cannons are present on the aircraft, providing massive amounts of firepower
- Stealth rounds have lots of HEF-I ammo, with the lack of tracers makes it hard for enemies to evade shots
- Often very generous amount of ammunition, as common on US aircraft
Cons:
- Prone to jamming, especially when stock
- Increased fire rate compared with it's counterparts may deplete ammo reserves far faster
- Horrific stock accuracy
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: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />.
Media
Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.
See also
External links
| USA aircraft cannons | |
|---|---|
| 20 mm | AN/M2 · Browning-Colt Mk12 Mod 0 · Browning-Colt Mk12 Mod 3 · FMC T-160 |
| M3 · M24A1 · M39 · M39A1 · M39A2 · M39A3 · M61A1 · M195 · M197 · Mk 11 · Mk 11 mod 5 · T31 | |
| 30 mm | M230E-1 · XM140 · GAU-8/A · GAU-13/A · LR30 |
| 37 mm | M4 · M9 · M10 |
| 40 mm | M75 · M129 |
| 75 mm | M10 · T13E1 |
| Foreign: | |
| 20 mm | Hispano 404 (France) · Hispano Mk.II (Britain) · MG 151 (Germany) · Type 99 Model 1 (Japan) |
| 30 mm | ADEN Mk.4 (Britain) |
| France aircraft cannons | |
|---|---|
| 20 mm | GIAT M.621 · Hispano 404 · Hispano HS.9 · M50 |
| 30 mm | DEFA 541 · DEFA 551 · DEFA 552 · DEFA 552A · DEFA 553 · DEFA 554 · GIAT M781 |
| Foreign: | |
| 20 mm | AN/M2 (USA) · Browning-Colt Mk12 Mod 3 (USA) · Hispano Mk.II (Britain) · Hispano Mk.V (Britain) · M3 (USA) · M24A1 (USA) · M39A1 (USA) · M61A1 (USA) · MG 151 (Germany) · ShVAK (USSR) |
| 30 mm | ADEN (Britain) |
| 37 mm | M4 (USA) · M10 (USA) · NS-37 (USSR) |
