Difference between revisions of "RP-46 (7.62 mm)"

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{{AutoWeapon-Card
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[[File:RP-46.png|550px|thumb|right|The RP-46 inside of the IS-7 turret]]
| image = File:Weapon_RP-46_(7.62_mm).png
 
| title = {{PAGENAME}}
 
| MG-calibre = 7.62
 
| Belt-capacity = 750
 
| RoF = 600
 
| MG-velocity = 815
 
| MG-max-pen = 10
 
}}
 
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 
<!--''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.''-->
 
<!--''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.''-->
[[File:Weapon RP-46 (7.62 mm).png|350px|thumb|left|The {{PAGENAME}} on the IS-7.]]
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The '''7.62 mm RP-46''' is a Soviet machine gun. The Soviet Degtyaryov machine gun or RP-46 was modified with a heavier barrel to allow for the sustained fire of around 500 rounds before the barrel had to either be replaced or allowed to cool down.
{{Break}}
 
The Soviet Degtyaryov machine gun or RP-46 was modified with a heavier barrel to allow for the sustained fire of around 500 rounds before the barrel had to either be replaced or allowed to cool down.
 
  
 
=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===
 
=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===
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''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the cannon or machine gun.''
 
''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the cannon or machine gun.''
  
=== Available shells ===
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=== Available ammunition ===
''Describe the shells that are available for the cannon and their features and purpose. If it concerns autocannons or machine guns, write about different ammo belts and what is inside (which types of shells).''
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''Describe the shells that are available for the weapon and their features and purpose. If it concerns autocannons or machine guns, write about different ammo belts and what is inside (which types of shells).''
  
 
=== Comparison with analogues ===
 
=== Comparison with analogues ===
''Give a comparative description of cannons/machine guns, that have firepower equal to these type of weapons.''
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''Give a comparative description of cannons/machine guns that have firepower equal to this weapon.''
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
''Describe the cannon/machine gun in the game - its distinctive features, tactics of usage against the main opponents. Please don't write a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought.''
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''Describe the cannon/machine gun in the game - its distinctive features, tactics of usage against notable opponents. Please don't write a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought.''
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
''Summarize and briefly evaluate the weaponry in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark pros and cons as a list.''
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''Summarise and briefly evaluate the weaponry in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark pros and cons as a list.''
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
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== History ==
 
== History ==
''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of this weapon. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(weapon-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article.''
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<!-- ''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>.'' -->
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{{main|DT_(7.62_mm)#History|l1=History of the DP machine gun}}
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In World War II, the primary light machine gun of the Soviet Red Army was the [[DT (7.62 mm)|DP]] (Degtyaryov Pechotnyi, or Degtyaryov Infantry) or its modernized variant DPM. However, these machine guns were fed by 47 round pan-shaped magazines, which were quite cumbersome to use. Experience in World War II showed the feasibility of belt-fed machine guns and the great firepower asset those weapons possess, such as the German [[MG34 (7.92 mm)|MG34]] and [[MG42 (7.92 mm)|MG42]]. The Soviet military's desire for such a machine gun quickly resulted in a further modification of the DP machine gun to transform it from a magazine-fed system into a belt-fed. This was released in 1946, and was designated as the '''RP-46''' (Rotnyj Pulemet, 1946, or Company Machine Gun).<ref name="Popenker_Degtyarov">Popenker "Degtyarov DP DPM RP-46"</ref>
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[[File:RP-46 Display.jpg|left|thumb|x250px|A RP-46 on display]]
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As a way to quickly turn existing DP machine guns into RP-46, the modification was more akin to an add-on module than a redesign of the weapon in the form of a new top cover design. This top cover is placed in a manner similar to a DP magazine and enables the RP-46 to feed from [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|SG-43/SGM]] belts.<ref name="Popenker_Degtyarov"/><ref name="ForgottenWeapons_RP46">McCollum 2011</ref> Other changes associated with the RP-46 design is a heavier barrel that is capable of being quickly changed, a new gas block and system for the belt-fed mechanism, and a carry handle on the belt-fed top cover design which requires a cut-out on the RP-46 barrel to fit.<ref name="ForgottenWeapons_RP46Variants">McCollum 2018</ref>
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As a company machine gun, the RP-46 was able to be set-up in a niche between a light squad automatic weapon like the RPD, and a heavy machine gun emplacement like a SG-43. However, as a modification to a magazine-fed machine gun, the RP-46 had issues adapting with belt-fed conventions, such as the inability to hold the belt box. This affected the weapon's portability as this means the RP-46 must be unloaded prior to being moved. The RP-46 remained as a front-line weapon until the 1960s when it was replaced by the Soviet's newest universal machine gun, the [[PKT (7.62 mm)|PK machine gun]].<ref name="Popenker_Degtyarov"/>
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The RP-46 and its DP variants would continue to see service in other Soviet-aligned countries. The Chinese and North Korean are most notable for producing their own versions of the RP-46 as the ''Type 58'' and ''Type 64'' respectively.<ref name="WeaponSystemsRP46"><nowiki>WeaponSystems.net</nowiki> "RP-46"</ref>
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
''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.'' -->
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;Images
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<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="200">
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File:Weapon RP-46 (7.62 mm).png|<small>The RP-46 on the IS-7</small>
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</gallery>
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
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<!-- ''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
* ''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.''
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* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.'' -->
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* [[DT (7.62 mm)]] - Tank-mounted variant of the DP machine gun.
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* [[DA (7.62 mm)]] - Aircraft-mounted variant of the DP machine gun.
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
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<!--''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on weapon;''
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* ''other literature.''-->
* ''other literature.''
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=== References ===
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;Citations
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<references />
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;Bibliography:
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* McCollum, Ian, "RP46 LMG." ''Forgotten Weapons'', 10 Jan. 2011, [https://www.forgottenweapons.com/rd-46-manual-and-photos/ Website]. Accessed 02 Apr. 2021 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210402170033/https://www.forgottenweapons.com/rd-46-manual-and-photos/ Archive]).
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* McCollum, Ian, "RP46 Variations: Russian, North Korean, and US Reproduction." ''Forgotten Weapons'', 04 Jul. 2018, [https://www.forgottenweapons.com/rp46-variations-russian-north-korean-and-us-reproduction/ Website]. Accessed 02 Apr. 2021 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210402170133/https://www.forgottenweapons.com/rp46-variations-russian-north-korean-and-us-reproduction/ Archive]).
 +
* Popenker, Maxim, "Degtyarov DP DPM RP-46." ''Modern Firearms'', [https://modernfirearms.net/en/machineguns/russia-machineguns/dp-dpm-rp-46-eng/ Website]. Accessed 02 Apr. 2021 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210402170143/https://modernfirearms.net/en/machineguns/russia-machineguns/dp-dpm-rp-46-eng/ Archive]).
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* <nowiki>WeaponSystems.net</nowiki>, "RP-46" ''<nowiki>WeaponSystems.net</nowiki>'' [https://weaponsystems.net/system/913-RP-46 Website]. Accessed 02 Apr. 2021 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210402170101/https://weaponsystems.net/system/913-RP-46 Archive]).
  
 
{{Tank machine guns}}
 
{{Tank machine guns}}
  
 
[[Category:Tank machine guns]]
 
[[Category:Tank machine guns]]

Latest revision as of 17:31, 14 January 2023

The RP-46 inside of the IS-7 turret

Description

The 7.62 mm RP-46 is a Soviet machine gun. The Soviet Degtyaryov machine gun or RP-46 was modified with a heavier barrel to allow for the sustained fire of around 500 rounds before the barrel had to either be replaced or allowed to cool down.

Vehicles equipped with this weapon

General info

Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the cannon or machine gun.

Available ammunition

Describe the shells that are available for the weapon and their features and purpose. If it concerns autocannons or machine guns, write about different ammo belts and what is inside (which types of shells).

Comparison with analogues

Give a comparative description of cannons/machine guns that have firepower equal to this weapon.

Usage in battles

Describe the cannon/machine gun in the game - its distinctive features, tactics of usage against notable opponents. Please don't write a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought.

Pros and cons

Summarise and briefly evaluate the weaponry in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark pros and cons as a list.

Pros:

Cons:

History

In World War II, the primary light machine gun of the Soviet Red Army was the DP (Degtyaryov Pechotnyi, or Degtyaryov Infantry) or its modernized variant DPM. However, these machine guns were fed by 47 round pan-shaped magazines, which were quite cumbersome to use. Experience in World War II showed the feasibility of belt-fed machine guns and the great firepower asset those weapons possess, such as the German MG34 and MG42. The Soviet military's desire for such a machine gun quickly resulted in a further modification of the DP machine gun to transform it from a magazine-fed system into a belt-fed. This was released in 1946, and was designated as the RP-46 (Rotnyj Pulemet, 1946, or Company Machine Gun).[1]

A RP-46 on display

As a way to quickly turn existing DP machine guns into RP-46, the modification was more akin to an add-on module than a redesign of the weapon in the form of a new top cover design. This top cover is placed in a manner similar to a DP magazine and enables the RP-46 to feed from SG-43/SGM belts.[1][2] Other changes associated with the RP-46 design is a heavier barrel that is capable of being quickly changed, a new gas block and system for the belt-fed mechanism, and a carry handle on the belt-fed top cover design which requires a cut-out on the RP-46 barrel to fit.[3]

As a company machine gun, the RP-46 was able to be set-up in a niche between a light squad automatic weapon like the RPD, and a heavy machine gun emplacement like a SG-43. However, as a modification to a magazine-fed machine gun, the RP-46 had issues adapting with belt-fed conventions, such as the inability to hold the belt box. This affected the weapon's portability as this means the RP-46 must be unloaded prior to being moved. The RP-46 remained as a front-line weapon until the 1960s when it was replaced by the Soviet's newest universal machine gun, the PK machine gun.[1]

The RP-46 and its DP variants would continue to see service in other Soviet-aligned countries. The Chinese and North Korean are most notable for producing their own versions of the RP-46 as the Type 58 and Type 64 respectively.[4]

Media

Images

See also

  • DT (7.62 mm) - Tank-mounted variant of the DP machine gun.
  • DA (7.62 mm) - Aircraft-mounted variant of the DP machine gun.

External links

References

Citations
  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Popenker "Degtyarov DP DPM RP-46"
  2. McCollum 2011
  3. McCollum 2018
  4. WeaponSystems.net "RP-46"
Bibliography
  • McCollum, Ian, "RP46 LMG." Forgotten Weapons, 10 Jan. 2011, Website. Accessed 02 Apr. 2021 (Archive).
  • McCollum, Ian, "RP46 Variations: Russian, North Korean, and US Reproduction." Forgotten Weapons, 04 Jul. 2018, Website. Accessed 02 Apr. 2021 (Archive).
  • Popenker, Maxim, "Degtyarov DP DPM RP-46." Modern Firearms, Website. Accessed 02 Apr. 2021 (Archive).
  • WeaponSystems.net, "RP-46" WeaponSystems.net Website. Accessed 02 Apr. 2021 (Archive).


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