Standard armament of the D.VIII

Was it like the D.VII and was equiped with a pair of Spandaus or did it have a single. Was it even Spandau at all? Were the Parabellum's outdated by the war's end on aircraft?





Jamie

[Lyle]

Holford,
Standard armament on the D.VIII (and all fighters from the Albatros D.II on) was the twin Spandau arrangement. I don't know enough about why the Parabellum wasn't used as a forward-firing gun; it could be related to the rate of fire which was greater than the Spandau. The Parabellums were used on most two-seaters and provided a real sting for defence.

Thanks




Jamie

[Dan_San_Abbott]

holford:
The Fok.E.V / D.VIII had two Maxim 7.92mm LMG 08/15 Machine guns. Most of which were made at the Spandau Arsenal near Berlin, hence the name Spandau.
The Parabellum Model 14 was used on C, Cl,G,and J Class aircraft up to the end. An improved machine gun with a smaller jacket came into use in 1918, it was the Model 14/17.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

Thank guys, was very helpful




Jamie

[TonyWilliams]

Holford,
Standard armament on the D.VIII (and all fighters from the Albatros D.II on) was the twin Spandau arrangement. *I don't know enough about why the Parabellum wasn't used as a forward-firing gun; it could be related to the rate of fire which was greater than the Spandau. *The Parabellums were used on most two-seaters and provided a real sting for defence.

That's an interesting issue. On the face of it, the MG 14 (Parabellum) was a much better weapon than the LMG 08/15 (Spandau); slimmer, lighter and faster-firing. I have read that the reason they weren't used in fixed mountings was that they were in short supply, and their qualities were more useful in flexible mountings.

You may be right that the characteristics of the German synchronisation system better suited the slower-firing gun. Synchronisation is a complex subject and was the source of endless problems. It is worth noting, however, that the Allies boosted the rate of fire of the Vickers considerably, and evidently felt this was worthwhile, possibly because the CC hydrosonic system appears to have been more advanced than the German mechanical systems.

Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition website and discussion
forum

[Dave_Watts]

Dan-San,

Hi, I am interested in your statement;

"The Fok.E.V / D.VIII had two Maxim 7.92mm LMG 08/15 Machine guns. Most of which were made at the Spandau Arsenal near Berlin, hence the name Spandau."

In particular to;

"Most of which were made at the Spandau Arsenal."

I've been pretty keen in studying these weapons and have not found anywhere else "Maxim 7.92mm LMG 08/15 Machine Guns" were made other than Spandau.

I know there was development work done by Siemens but I have yet to have seen any evidence that they manufactured aircraft Maxim LMG 08/15's.

I would welcome any light you can shed on any other manufacturer that produced Maxim LMG 08/15's.

Thank you and best to all,
Dave W.

P.S. I know of the 08/18 but this is a different gun.