The Vickers K gun known as the Vickers Gas Operated (VGO) in British service, was a rapid firing machine gun developed for use by observers in aircraft. The high rate of fire was needed for the short window of opportunity when the observer would be able to fire at an attacking aircraft.
| Vickers Gas Operated | |
|---|---|
| Type | Machine gun |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 29.5 lb (13.4 kg) |
| Length | 37 in (0.93 m) |
History
The Vickers K was a development of the Vickers-Berthier (VB) light machine gun. When the Browning Model 1919 machine gun was selected as the standard machine-gun armament for British aircraft, VBs became redundant.
Combat use
The Vickers K was fitted to a number of 2 and 3 seater aircraft in British service such as the Fairey Swordfish.
The Vickers K was used in a limited way by British ground forces. The Special Air Service adopted it for their hit and run tactics, mounting it in pairs on their jeeps. In a similar manner, the Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron of the Reconnaissance Corps had VGO's on their jeeps when they were attached to the 1st Airborne Division during Operation Market-Garden in September 1944. Royal Marine and Army Commandos used the VGO in an infantry support role briefly around D-Day.