I could really use a machine gun... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

WVOtoGO · #1 01-30-2010, 09:59 PM

Please help.

Yep – I need a machine gun.
But not just any machine gun.
I need a ~1916 – 1918 Vickers 303 (Replica or de-mil) for a Sopwith project.

I’m having trouble finding one in the US.

I figure there are enough gun buffs here to ask. Maybe someone can provide a lead.

The one I’m after is the one here in the picture. Air cooled. No water jacket. I’ve found one in New Zealand at The Vintage Aviator, but am wondering if anyone here may know of a more “local” provider.

Thanks -

KarTek · #2 01-31-2010, 06:58 AM

There's a guy I know who has a military museum and a lot of fully functional hardware. Most of his equipment is German but he may have some insight.

I'll forward this to him.

Mike D · #3 01-31-2010, 08:35 AM

Sigh. Just one more reason to fear low flying aircraft. Exactly which one of you guys are looking to install this on your aircraft? You don't think I'm falling for that "restoring a vintage airplane" line do ya?

LUVMBDiesels · #4 01-31-2010, 10:03 AM

I put out some feelers among my gun-nut friends...
I also contacted the good folks at the Old Rhinebeck Areodrome.
I take it you are going to be doing mock dogfights ala the guys at the Aerodrome.
Does it HAVE to be deactivated?

It would be so cool to have it firing blanks as you pass overhead!

kerry · #5 01-31-2010, 10:54 AM

I read all the Biggles books when I was a kid. I always wondered how the timing device worked on front firing machine guns.

WVOtoGO · #6 01-31-2010, 01:40 PM

The aircraft is a Sopwith Pup. Cr. 1916-1918.
The aircraft will be an airworthy display piece.

The aircraft structure is being built entirely from scratch. It is not a kit.
The build plans used are as accurate to the original design/build plans of the period and are provided by a company called Replicraft. In this case, the plans are 100% accurate equivalents of the factory drawings. This leaves quite a bit of research to be done to replicate many of the detailed pieces. Including the gun.

The aircraft, when complete, will be airworthy (Think FAA fingers in the pie here. Boo-Hiss.

) and as close to factory original, right down to the Nth detail of materials and fasteners used, as possible (in other words: we’re also needing vintage metric turn buckles, brass screws, copper rivets...the list goes on.). The main exception here is the engine. In this case, not a vintage La Rhone but a modern 7 cyl. Rotec radial.

As far as shooting blanks. Yep that would be awesome.

But a brass recovery system (can’t let them dump out the bottom like in 1916) would not be original.

Not to mention some yahoo claiming that it could shoot live ammo as well as blanks.
[ There's a story about the two guys in the 70s who dropped into a SoCal air show while bringing their newly acquired (some South American country AF) P51’s up? Long/Odd story short: They opened the wing bays to find fully loaded and functional 50s.

That didn’t go over too well with the feds.]

So – That’s the story (in short) of the need for a Vickers.

Thanks for any and all help.

WVOtoGO · #7 01-31-2010, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

I read all the Biggles books when I was a kid. I always wondered how the timing device worked on front firing machine guns.

Yep... Gonna have to built/cast all that from the cam drive back to the gun too.

(this ain't hap'nin over night....)

Hatterasguy · #8 01-31-2010, 03:52 PM

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=154769429

Gunbroker surprisingly doesn't have one for sale, but keep your eye on that sight. Everything pops up at some point.

They do have the manual though, don't know if it would be of any help.

R Leo · #9 01-31-2010, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WVOtoGO

The aircraft, when complete, will be airworthy ....The main exception here is the engine. In this case, not a vintage La Rhone but a modern 7 cyl. Rotec radial.

Probably a good idea to scotch the le Rhone for a Rotec.

The le Rhone had a total-loss lube system that used castor oil. Most WWI pilots had a chronic case of the *****s from ingesting the mass amounts of spent castor oil that was blown back in their faces in the slipstream.

Quote:

Originally Posted by http://www.canadianflight.org/content/the-sopwith-camel

A well known feature of Rotary engines was its use of castor oil. The reason is lost until we examine the lubrication system in detail. With the fuel and oil mixed together in the crankcase it was important that the fuel not dissolve the oil and ruin its lubricating qualities. The perfect choice was pharmaceutical-quality castor oil—it would stand the heat and centrifugal force, and its gum-forming tendency were irrelevant in a total-loss lubrication system. An unfortunate side effect was that pilots inhaled and swallowed a considerable amount of the oil during flight, leading to persistent diarrhea. This also accounts for the pilot’s use of a flowing white scarf—not for a dashing image, but to wipe goggles clear of the persistent oil mist flowing past the cockpit.

MTI · #10 01-31-2010, 04:44 PM

Would a "replica" be required to the the "international orange" plastic barrel tip?

Hatterasguy · #11 01-31-2010, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTI

Would a "replica" be required to the the "international orange" plastic barrel tip?

Nah, usualy demilled guns just have the receiver cut.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=155981622

Fulcrum525 · #12 01-31-2010, 05:10 PM

What are planning on moving to New York? We could use the help though, damn dirty apes are always showing up when you least expect them....

The Clk Man · #13 01-31-2010, 05:20 PM

I have a semi automatic repeater I could loan you, the only problem is that it is attached to my body.

MS Fowler · #14 01-31-2010, 05:39 PM

Darn,
I thought this was for mounting on the roof/ hood of a w123 or W126.
Its "only" for am airplane.

Good luck.

daveuz · #15 01-31-2010, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Clk Man

I have a semi automatic repeater I could loan you, the only problem is that it is attached to my body.

No offense but I for one am glad you didn't provide a photo of it to prove it was " Air cooled. No water jacket".