WesWorld

April 19, 1936 - Berlin

The infantry has responded to the quartermaster corps report on the semi-automatic rifle entries with a scathing response, pointing out that IF one of the American entries were chosen the necessary en bloc clips could be packed in the ammunition crates without the need of the quartermasters to concern themselves with whether or not the receiving unit was equipped with Mausers or with one of the new rifles. The same option would exist for the Solothurn rifle, though the infantry did admit that this would be slightly more expensive. Also, while the current weapons tested DID use non-metric standard hardware, there was no technical reason that this could not be changed in production weapons. In a note on the quartermaster corps preference that the Solothurn rifles magazines be welded in place or built in, the infantry acidly asked if the quartermasters would prefer a return to the single-shot Dreyse, as it would prevent soldiers from firing too many rounds too fast.


June 1, 1936 - Bremen

First flight of Focke-Wulf's new single-engined fighter aircraft, the Fw-190 V1, with test pilot Hans Sander at the controls. Powered by the troublesome BMW-139, the flight was of relatively short duration and cut short after failure of the landing gear to lock into the "up" position.


June 12, 1936 - Berlin

Following experience in Lithuania, the Heer is requesting proposals for an improved light mortar. The current 50mm "meatball thrower" has come under fire from the troops as being far too heavy for it's effectiveness. A lighter weapon using the current 50mm rounds, a more effective weapon of the same weight, or a sufficiently more effective weapon of somewhat greater weight is sought. The troops who served in Lithuania are reported to have been particularly impressed by the Belgian light mortar, which is reported to be along the lines of what is desired. Proposals from all sources are welcome.

June 27, 1936 - Berlin

General Udet and RLM head Goering, along with several members of their staffs, were examining a pair of prototype weapons and cartridges submitted by Rheinmettal for possible replacement of the synchronized MG-17s used on most fighters. The two weapons were of approximately similar size and weight, both a bit over 1 meter in length and betweeh 16 and 18 kg in weight, but their cartridges were somewhat different. The smaller bore cartridge, firing a 11mm projectile, was a bit longer (at 72mm vs 64mm) and wider (at 19mm vs 17.1mm) than the larger bore cartridge, which fired a 13mm projectile. The two weapons fired projectile of fairly comparable weight, with the 11mm firing a 35 gram projectile and the 13mm firing a 38.5 gram projectile.

"What are the advantages of each of these weapons?" asked General Udet. The Rheinmettal representative nodded, and began. "The 13mm weapon, obviously, fires a bigger projectile than the 11mm, making a slightly larger hole in the target, and the 13mm could carry a larger fraction of it's weight as explosive should an HE or incendiary payload be desired. It's also slightly lighter than the 11mm weapon, 16.6 kg vs 18.2. Weight of ammunition is about the same, the 13mm rounds are 2 grams lighter because of the larger case of the 11mm weapons ammunition. The 11mm weapon fires a round of similar weight at a higher speed because of the longer and wider case, 830 meters per second vs 710 meters per second. This makes for a flatter trajectory and a shorter time of flight to the target, and it will result in better penetration of armor than the 13mm round has. The 11mm projectile will also have somewhat better ballistics because the 13mm projectile is very light for it's diameter, meaning it will slow from drag more rapidly than the smaller projectile will."

"Both weapons are heavier and larger than the MG-17, correct?"

"Absolutely. Getting a larger weapon into the exact space of the smaller proved impossible at this time. These weapons are larger in all dimensions, but by what we hope are manageable amounts."

"How about rate of fire?"

"Both weapons fire at an average rate of 900 rounds per minute, assuming they're synchronized, 1020 rpm if they're not synchronized."

"interesting."



June 30, 1936 - Berlin

Four submissions for the Heer's request for a new light mortar have been received to this point: 2 domestic and 2 international. The domestic entries are a lighter-weight 50mm, weighing only 9.3 kg, and a shortened 81mm weapon that weighs 28 kg but uses the much more effective 81mm mortar round. The international entries are the new British 2" mortar, which weighs 4.2 kg and the US 2.2" mortar, which weighs 19 kg but fires a bomb that's 33% heavier than the current 50mm to a maximum range of 1800m, over 3 times the range of the current 50mm weapon. Submissions will be accepted through the end of July, with a decision by the end of September.


June 30, 1936 - Marienehe

The first production-standard He-100A has left for Rechlin for Luftwaffe testing. Equipped with the Luftwaffe-standard armament of 2 MG-17s and 2 MG-151s, the aircraft promises to be outstandingly fast even with the replacement of the prototype versions' evaporative cooling with normal radiator cooling. Whether the Luftwaffe will choose to purchase the plane remains to be seen, however, though it does seem quite possible.

Interesting, the 11.35x63 Madsen is quite similar. A 20g API fired at 825-880m/s. The gun weighs 10.6kg and fires at 900-1050rpm but is slightly longer than the baseline 8mm Madsen. About twice the firepower for very little increase in weight or size.

Does the He-100A have a normal radiator or a retractable one?

The He-100 has the larger semi-retractable radiator, like the historical He-100 D-1.

Yeah, the 11.35mm Madsen was something I was noticing as I was writing it up, along with the 15 x 83 MG-215/15 cartridge and the 13 x 64 used by the MG-131.

Quoted

Originally posted by Hrolf Hakonson
June 30, 1936 - Berlin

Four submissions for the Heer's request for a new light mortar have been received to this point: 2 domestic and 2 international. ...... Submissions will be accepted through the end of July, with a decision by the end of September.

After much internal discussion, the Belgians will submit their 50mm mortar. (Which given your post you have the stats for).

June 30, 1936 - Berlin

The Heer sends its thanks to all submitters, and a decision will be made as scheduled by the end of September.


June 30, 1936 - Berlin

The Erma company has been awarded a contract for their new 9mm Parabellum submachinegun, the MP-36, to equip armored vehicle crews, NCOs, and pioneers. [The WW MP-36 .is the OTL MP-38.]