Difference between revisions of "L8A1 (7.62 mm)"

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[[File:Weapon L8A1 7.62mm.jpg|x250px|thumb|The {{PAGENAME}} above the Chieftain Mk 3's main gun.]]
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 
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<!-- ''Write an introduction to the article in 2-3 small paragraphs. Briefly tell us about the history of the development and combat using the weaponry and also about its features. Compile a list of air, ground, or naval vehicles that feature this weapon system in the game.'' -->
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[[File:Weapon L8A1 7.62mm.jpg|350px|thumb|left|The {{PAGENAME}} above the Chieftain Mk 3's main gun.]]
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The '''L8A1''' is a British 7.62 mm General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), it is an Enfield L7 GPMG with modifications to make it suitable for use as a tank co-axial machine gun, in game it is found as the co-axial machine gun for the [[Chieftain (Family)|Chieftain]] series of tanks. The Enfield L7 GPMG of which the L8A1, [[L8A2 (7.62 mm)|L8A2]], [[L37A1 (7.62 mm)|L37A1]] and [[L37A2 (7.62 mm)|L37A2]] are all variants is itself a British licence-built version of the Belgian [[FN MAG 60-40 (7.62 mm)|FN MAG]] GPMG. As such the L8A1 performs identically to the [[FN MAG 60-40 (7.62 mm)|FN MAG]] and [[L8A2 (7.62 mm)|L8A2]] and almost identically to the [[L37A1 (7.62 mm)|L37A1]] and [[L37A2 (7.62 mm)|L37A2]]. Being only a 7.62 mm machine gun it is largely ineffective against all but the most weakly armoured, or open cabin, vehicles.
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{{Break}}
 
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The '''L8A1''' is a British 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), it is an Enfield L7 GPMG with modifications to make it suitable for use as a tank co-axial machine gun, in game it is found as the co-axial machine gun for the [[Chieftain (Family)|Chieftain]] series of tanks. The Enfield L7 GPMG of which the L8A1, [[L8A2 (7.62 mm)|L8A2]], [[L37A1 (7.62 mm)|L37A1]] and [[L37A2 (7.62 mm)|L37A2]] are all variants is itself a British licence-built version of the Belgian [[FN MAG 60-40 (7.62 mm)|FN MAG]] GPMG. As such the L8A1 performs identically to the [[FN MAG 60-40 (7.62 mm)|FN MAG]] and [[L8A2 (7.62 mm)|L8A2]] and almost identically to the [[L37A1 (7.62 mm)|L37A1]] and [[L37A2 (7.62 mm)|L37A2]]. Being only a 7.62mm machine gun it is largely ineffective against all but the most weakly armoured, or open cabin, vehicles.
 
  
 
=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===
 
=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===
 
<!-- ''List out vehicles that are equipped with the weapon.'' -->
 
<!-- ''List out vehicles that are equipped with the weapon.'' -->
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The L8A1 is used as the co-axial machine gun on the Chieftain series of tanks, these are the:
 
  
 
* {{Specs-Link|uk_chieftain_mk_3}}
 
* {{Specs-Link|uk_chieftain_mk_3}}
 
* {{Specs-Link|uk_chieftain_mk_5}}
 
* {{Specs-Link|uk_chieftain_mk_5}}
 
* {{Specs-Link|uk_chieftain_mk_10}}
 
* {{Specs-Link|uk_chieftain_mk_10}}
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* {{Specs-Link|scout_ah_mk1}}
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It is also used on the British {{Specs-Link|scout_ah_mk1}} helicopter.
 
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
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The L8A1 can only be equipped with one ammo belt consisting of two Armour-Piercing (AP) bullets, followed by one Tracer (T) bullet. Neither bullet has much penetration (maximum of 13 mm), however the AP bullet performs much better than the tracer bullet.
 
The L8A1 can only be equipped with one ammo belt consisting of two Armour-Piercing (AP) bullets, followed by one Tracer (T) bullet. Neither bullet has much penetration (maximum of 13 mm), however the AP bullet performs much better than the tracer bullet.
  
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{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
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{{:{{PAGENAME}}/Ammunition|AP, T}}
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! colspan="7" | Penetration statistics
 
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|-
 
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! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
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! colspan="6" | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
 
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|-
 
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! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
 
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|-
 
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| AP || 13 || 12 || 7 || 3 || 2 || 0
 
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|-
 
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| T || 5 || 4 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 0
 
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|-
 
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|}
 
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{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
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! colspan="9" | Shell details
 
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|-
 
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! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
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! rowspan="2" | Velocity<br>(m/s)
 
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! rowspan="2" | Projectile<br>mass (kg)
 
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! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay
 
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! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity<br>(mm)
 
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! rowspan="2" | Explosive mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
 
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! colspan="3" | Ricochet
 
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|-
 
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! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
 
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|-
 
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| AP || 853 || 0.01 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 47° || 56° || 65°
 
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|-
 
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| T || 835 || 0.01 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 47° || 56° || 65°
 
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|-
 
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|}
 
  
 
=== Comparison with analogues ===
 
=== Comparison with analogues ===
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== Media ==
 
== Media ==
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''An excellent addition to the article would be a video guide, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
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''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
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* ''reference to the article about the variant of the cannon/machine gun;''
 
* ''reference to the article about the variant of the cannon/machine gun;''
 
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.'' -->
 
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.'' -->
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* [[L8A2 (7.62 mm)]]
 
* [[L8A2 (7.62 mm)]]
 
* [[L37A1 (7.62 mm)]]
 
* [[L37A1 (7.62 mm)]]
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<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
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* ''encyclopedia page on the weapon;''
 
 
* ''other literature.'' -->
 
* ''other literature.'' -->
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* [[wikipedia:FN_MAG|Wikipedia - FN MAG]]
 
* [[wikipedia:FN_MAG|Wikipedia - FN MAG]]
 
* [https://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.asp?smallarms_id=206 Military Factory - Enfield L7 General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG)]
 
* [https://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.asp?smallarms_id=206 Military Factory - Enfield L7 General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG)]

Latest revision as of 17:49, 25 March 2023

The L8A1 (7.62 mm) above the Chieftain Mk 3's main gun.

Description

The L8A1 is a British 7.62 mm General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), it is an Enfield L7 GPMG with modifications to make it suitable for use as a tank co-axial machine gun, in game it is found as the co-axial machine gun for the Chieftain series of tanks. The Enfield L7 GPMG of which the L8A1, L8A2, L37A1 and L37A2 are all variants is itself a British licence-built version of the Belgian FN MAG GPMG. As such the L8A1 performs identically to the FN MAG and L8A2 and almost identically to the L37A1 and L37A2. Being only a 7.62 mm machine gun it is largely ineffective against all but the most weakly armoured, or open cabin, vehicles.

Vehicles equipped with this weapon

General info

The L8A1 performs identically to the L8A2 and FN MAG machine guns, while the only difference between it and the L37A1 and L37A2 is a marginally higher rate of fire on the L37 versions.

Available ammunition

The L8A1 can only be equipped with one ammo belt consisting of two Armour-Piercing (AP) bullets, followed by one Tracer (T) bullet. Neither bullet has much penetration (maximum of 13 mm), however the AP bullet performs much better than the tracer bullet.

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
AP 13 12 7 3 2 0
T 5 4 2 1 0 0
Shell details
Ammunition Velocity
(m/s) 		Projectile
mass (kg) 		Fuse delay Fuse sensitivity
(mm) 		Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g) 		Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
AP 853 0.01 - - - 47° 56° 65°
T 835 0.01 - - - 47° 56° 65°

Comparison with analogues

The L8A1 performs identically to the L8A2 and FN MAG machine guns, while having a slightly lower rate of fire than the L37A1 and L37A2. It has the same ballistic performance as the L3A1 found on previous British vehicles, but has a higher rate of fire.

Usage in battles

Due to the very low penetration this weapon is largely ineffective against enemy armour (although you may be able to penetrate some vehicles with extremely thin armour). The gun is primarily useful for killing exposed crew members in open-topped vehicles (although there are few such vehicles at the battle ratings this gun is found at). The gun can also be used for marking enemy vehicles and obscuring the view of enemy players (shooting at their gun sight). You can use the gun against aircraft however it does minimal damage, and being co-axially mounted means it can often not be brought / kept on target against aircraft.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Better rate of fire than L3A1 machine gun

Cons:

  • Lower rate of fire than the L37A1 and L37A2 machine guns found on later tanks
  • Low penetration makes it ineffective against armour
  • Low damage

History

Main article: FN MAG 60-40 (7.62 mm)

Along with the L8A2, L37A1 and L37A2 the L8A1 is a British License built variant of the Belgian FN MAG GPMG. The FN MAG is a Belgian 7.62 mm general-purpose machine gun, it was designed in the early 1950s by Ernest Vervier, while working at the weapons company Fabrique Nationale (FN). Between 1956 and 1957 the British armed forces trialled the FN MAG against the american M60, and selected the FN MAG. The MAG was built under license as the L7 GPMG by Enfield in Britain, with minor modifications being made. It entered service under the Designation L7A1 in 1963.

The L8A1 variant was designed for co-axial use, primarily in the Chieftain series of Main Battle Tank (MBT). It was modified with a fume extractor, removal of the shoulder stock, and a folding pistol grip, in order to allow the weapon to function better in the confined space available inside a tank.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

External links


Aircraft machine guns
USA 
7.62 mm  Browning · M134 Minigun
12.7 mm  GAU-19 · M2 Browning · M3 Browning
Germany 
7.62 mm  MG3
7.92 mm  MG 15 · MG 17 · MG 81
12.7 mm  FN M3P
13 mm  MG 131
USSR 
7.62 mm  DA · GShG-7.62 · PKT · PV-1 · ShKAS
12.7 mm  A-12.7 · Berezin UB · TKB-481 · YaK-B
Britain 
7.62 mm  FN 60.30 · L8A1
7.7 mm  Browning · Lewis · Vickers E · Vickers K
Japan 
7.7 mm  Te-1 · Type 89 · Type 89 'special' · Type 92 · Type 97 navy
7.92 mm  Type 1 · Type 98
12.7 mm  Ho-103 · Ho-104
13 mm  Type 2
13.2 mm  Type 3
China 
12.7 mm  QJK99-12.7-1
Italy 
7.7 mm  Breda-SAFAT · Lewis
7.92 mm  FN Browning
12.7 mm  Breda-SAFAT · FN M3M · Scotti
France 
7.5 mm  Darne 1933 · Fabrique Nationale Mle 38 · FN Browning · MAC 1934 · MAC 1934T · Mle 33 · Mle 1923
7.62 mm  PKA
7.92 mm  FN-Browning M.36 No.3 · FN-Browning M.36 No.4
Sweden 
7.7 mm  FN-Browning M.36 No.3
8 mm  Ksp m/22 · Ksp m/22 Fh · Ksp m/22 Fv · Ksp m/22-37 R
12.7 mm  Akan m/39A · Akan m/40 · Akan m/45 · LKk/42
13.2 mm  Akan m/39 · Akan m/39A

Tank machine guns
USA 
7.62 mm  M37 · M60D · M73 · M240 · M1919A4 · Mk.52
12.7 mm  FN M3P · M2HB · M80 · M85
Germany 
5.56 mm  MG4
7.62 mm  C6 · MG3A1
7.92 mm  MG13 Dreyse · MG34 · MG37(t) · MG42
12.7 mm  S.MG.50
USSR 
7.62 mm  DT · PKMB · PKT · PKTM · RP-46 · SGMT
12.7 mm  DK · DShK · 6P49 · NSVT
14.5 mm  KPVT
Britain 
7.62 mm  Browning MG4 · L3A1 · L8A1 · L8A2 · L37A1 · L37A2 · L94A1
7.7 mm  Vickers
7.92 mm  BESA
12.7 mm  L21A1
Japan 
6.5 mm  Type 91
7.62 mm  Type 74
7.7 mm  Type 97
12.7 mm  Type 60 (B)
China 
5.8 mm  QJT
7.62 mm  Type 55 · Type 59 · Type 86
12.7 mm  QJC88A · Type 54
14.5 mm  QJG02
Italy 
7.62 mm  Beretta MG42/59 · FN MAG 60-40
8 mm  34/40M · Breda Mod. 38
13.2 mm  Breda Model 31
France 
7.5 mm  AAT-52 · MAC 31
7.62 mm  A-A-F1N
8 mm  Hotchkiss Mle 1914
Sweden 
6.5 mm  ksp m/14-29
7.62 mm  ksp 39 C · ksp 58 · ksp 94
8 mm  ksp m/36 · ksp m/39B
12.7 mm  ksp 88

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