Browning machine gun caliber .50, M2, aircraft, fixed and flexible. Page: 3
54 p. : ill. ; 22 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
TM 9-225
BROWNING MACHINE GUN, CALIBER .50, M2 8
3. Description.-The Browning machine gun, caliber .50, M2, air-
craft, is a recoil-operated, belt-fed, air-cooled machine gun. The
metallic link disintegrating belt is used in all firing of the gun. This
gun is designed for both fixed and flexible use. By repositioning some
of the component parts the gun may be fed from either the right or
left side.
a. Basic gun.-This gun is now furnished as a basic gun (figs. 1 and
2) which may be described as a Browning machine gun, caliber .50, M2,
aircraft, fixed, from which the operating slide group assembly has
been removed and to which a trigger bar and trigger bar pin assembly
have been added. This gun can be made into either the fixed or flex-
ible type by addition of an operating slide group assembly (for the
fixed type) or a retracting slide group assembly (for the flexible type).
The fixed type of gun obtained by adding an operating slide group
assembly to a basic type of gun differs from the Browning machine
gun, caliber .50, M2, aircraft, fixed, by having a trigger bar and trigger
bar pin assembly, whereas the latter gun does not.
b. Types.-(1) Fixed gun.-The fixed gun (fig. 3) is designed for
installation on or adjacent to the airplane engine; or for mounting in
or on the wings. It is provided with an operating slide which connects
with the bolt by means of the bolt stud. The operating slide is pro-
vided for retraction of the breech mechanism by hand and for use in
loading, unloading, and reduction of stoppages in firing. It can be
drawn back to its full extent or to a position with the bolt not fully
home and the bolt retained there by engaging the slot provided in the
lower surface of the operating slide on the operating slide rear guide.
The bolt should never be locked in a position other than to the rear,
to prevent overheating of a round and to insure that maximum spring
action is obtained to return the bolt to firing position.
(a) The fixed gun is normally assembled with a back plate having
a horizontal buffer, although it may have a vertical buffer back plate
due to previous practice or to limitation in mounting space.
(b) The fixed type of gun when mounted adjacent to the engine
is fired by means of a synchronized mechanical trigger motor attached
to the gun receiver. The trigger motor is operated by an impulse
generator which is an integral part of the airplane engine. The
impulse generator and trigger motor are connected through a solenoid
and semiflexible tube and wire controlled by a switch operated by the
pilot. This mechanism allows the gun to deliver semiautomatic fire.
Wing-mounted guns are not synchronized. When wing-mounted,
the gun is fired through a remote-controlled solenoid attached to the
gun receiver, the gun delivering automatic fire. The synchronizing
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
United States. War Department. Browning machine gun caliber .50, M2, aircraft, fixed and flexible., book, April 30, 1942; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc29988/m1/5/: accessed May 11, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.