Defensive Machineguns

[Jon]

I am aware of the twin MG81Z defensive bomber machinegun but did this type also come as a single weapon and, if yes was it used on any mark of JU88?

[Csaba B. Stenge]

The MG81Z was a common weapon in the Ju 88's mechanic-gunner position (as the backwards-downwards weapon)

[Jon]

Hi
Thanks for the quick response, was this a single barel version or the twin?
I ask the question as i have just seen a picture of a relic single version of the MG81, i thought they only came as the twin version?

[Juha]

Jon
Z means twin, short from IIRC Zwilling.
Now Finnish AF Do 17Zs were normally armed with MG 15s but at least one got later at least one MG 81, IIRC at its dorsal position. And this was pure MG 81 ie not twin but single mg installation.

HTH
Juha

I don't remember which particular a/c got this experimental installation and sorry, I don't have now time to go through my sources to dig that info out.

[Juha]

Hello Jon
now I'm really too tired, all above is right but unnecessary complicated. Finnish AF Ju 88A-4s had single MG 81s in front and dorsal positions, and I think that was a normal armament suit for A-4s, so single MG 81 installations were normal.

HTH
Juha