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Re: Soviet 12.7mm vs Ma Deuce
Berezina
Going from memory here, so caveat.
IIRC Berezina problems in the Morane installation were connected with ammunition feed. The Berezin (UB) worked well as Il-2 rear gun. A PoW Il-2 gunner was asked advice and he said to fire only short bursts (5-6 shots, don't remember exactly). Perhaps the rapid fire and resulting high velocity for the ammunition feed plus abrupt stop after shooting were the cause for gun jamming? I do not know if the Berezin-Morane ammunition feed system was copied from some Soviet design or if it was Finnish. If the latter case some ironing out of initial ammunition feed guide problems should be expected.
It looks like by late 1943 some relief was found for the Berezin/Morane problems. At least Berezin was the most numerous center-line weapon in FinnAF Moranes then. Berezin-gunned Moranes seem also got a cooling air scoop over the cowling. Don't know when.
Cheers,
Kari
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