Difference between revisions of "L8A2 (7.62 mm)"

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== 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. Make an air or ground vehicles list on which this weapon is installed in our 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. Make an air or ground vehicles list on which this weapon is installed in our game.'' -->
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The '''L8A2''' 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 [[Challenger Mk.2]] and [[Challenger Mk.3]]. The Enfield L7 GPMG of which the [[L8A1 (7.62 mm)|L8A1]], 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 L8A2 performs identically to the [[FN MAG 60-40 (7.62 mm)|FN MAG]] and [[L8A1 (7.62 mm)|L8A1]] 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.
+
The '''L8A2''' 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 [[Challenger Mk.2]] and [[Challenger Mk.3]]. The Enfield L7 GPMG, of which the [[L8A1 (7.62 mm)|L8A1]], 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 L8A2 performs identically to the [[FN MAG 60-40 (7.62 mm)|FN MAG]], and [[L8A1 (7.62 mm)|L8A1]] 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 L8A2 is used as the co-axial machine gun on the Challenger 1 series of tanks, these are the:
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The L8A2 is used as the co-axial machine gun on the Challenger 1 series of tanks. This series includes the:
 +
 
 
* {{Specs-Link|uk_challenger_1}}
 
* {{Specs-Link|uk_challenger_1}}
 
* {{Specs-Link|uk_challenger_mk_3}}
 
* {{Specs-Link|uk_challenger_mk_3}}
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== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
<!-- ''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.'' -->
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The L8A2 performs identically to the [[L8A1 (7.62 mm)|L8A1]] and [[FN MAG 60-40 (7.62 mm)|FN MAG]] machine guns, while the only difference between it and the [[L37A1 (7.62 mm)|L37A1]] and [[L37A2 (7.62 mm)|L37A2]] is a marginally higher rate of fire on the L37 versions.
+
The L8A2 performs identically to the [[L8A1 (7.62 mm)|L8A1]] and [[FN MAG 60-40 (7.62 mm)|FN MAG]] machine guns. The only difference between it and the [[L37A1 (7.62 mm)|L37A1]] and [[L37A2 (7.62 mm)|L37A2]] is a marginally higher rate of fire on the L37 versions.
  
 
=== Available shells ===
 
=== Available shells ===
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== 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.'' -->
 
<!-- ''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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Due to the very low penetration this weapon it is largely ineffective against enemy armour (although you may be able to penetrate some vehicles with extremely thing 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.
+
Due to the very low ammo penetration, this weapon is largely ineffective against armoured targets (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 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 by shooting at their gun sight. You can use the gun against aircraft, though it will only do very minimal damage. B co-axially mounted means it can often not be brought / kept on target against aircraft as well.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
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'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
 +
 
* Better rate of fire than [[L3A1 (7.62 mm)|L3A1]] machine gun
 
* Better rate of fire than [[L3A1 (7.62 mm)|L3A1]] machine gun
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
 +
 
* Lower rate of fire than the [[L37A1 (7.62 mm)|L37A1]] and [[L37A2 (7.62 mm)|L37A2]] machine guns found on later tanks
 
* Lower rate of fire than the [[L37A1 (7.62 mm)|L37A1]] and [[L37A2 (7.62 mm)|L37A2]] machine guns found on later tanks
−
* Low penetration makes it ineffective against armour
+
* Low penetration makes it ineffective against most armoured targets
 
* Low Damage
 
* Low Damage
  
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<!-- ''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.'' -->
 
<!-- ''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.'' -->
 
{{Main|FN MAG 60-40 (7.62 mm)}}
 
{{Main|FN MAG 60-40 (7.62 mm)}}
−
Along with the [[L8A1 (7.62 mm)|L8A1]], [[L37A1 (7.62 mm)|L37A1]] and [[L37A2 (7.62 mm)|L37A2]] the L8A2 is a British License built variant of the Belgian [[FN MAG 60-40 (7.62 mm)|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 [[M60D (7.62 mm)|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.
+
Along with the [[L8A1 (7.62 mm)|L8A1]], [[L37A1 (7.62 mm)|L37A1]], and [[L37A2 (7.62 mm)|L37A2]], the L8A2 is a British License built variant of the [[FN MAG 60-40 (7.62 mm)|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 trialed both the FN MAG and the American [[M60D (7.62 mm)|M60]] machine gun, selecting the FN MAG for usage. 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. The L8A2 is an upgraded L8A1, with an improved feed system.
+
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. The L8A2 is an upgraded L8A1 with an improved feed system.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
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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.'' -->
 +
 
* [[L8A2 (7.62 mm)]]
 
* [[L8A2 (7.62 mm)]]
 
* [[L37A1 (7.62 mm)]]
 
* [[L37A1 (7.62 mm)]]
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* ''encyclopedia page on weapon;''
 
* ''encyclopedia page on weapon;''
 
* ''other literature.'' -->
 
* ''other literature.'' -->
 +
 
* [[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)]

Revision as of 21:31, 23 October 2019


Description

The L8A2 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 Challenger Mk.2 and Challenger Mk.3. 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 L8A2 performs identically to the FN MAG, and L8A1 and almost identically to the L37A1 and 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

The L8A2 is used as the co-axial machine gun on the Challenger 1 series of tanks. This series includes the:

General info

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

Available shells

Like the the L8A1, the L8A2 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 10mm), however the AP bullet performs much better than the tracer bullet.

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Penetration in mm @ 90°
10m 100m 500m 1,000m 1,450m 1,500m
AP 10 9 7 4 1 0
T 5 4 2 1 0.1 0
Shell details
Ammunition Velocity
in m/s 		Projectile
Mass in kg 		Fuse delay

in m:

Fuse sensitivity

in mm:

Explosive Mass in g
(TNT equivalent): 		Normalization At 30°
from horizontal: 		Ricochet:
0% 50% 100%
AP 853 0.0108 N/A N/A N/A  ??°  ??°  ??°  ??°
T 835 0.0095 N/A N/A N/A  ??°  ??°  ??°  ??°

Comparison with analogues

The L8A2 performs identically to the L8A1 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 ammo penetration, this weapon is largely ineffective against armoured targets (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 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 by shooting at their gun sight. You can use the gun against aircraft, though it will only do very minimal damage. B co-axially mounted means it can often not be brought / kept on target against aircraft as well.

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 most armoured targets
  • Low Damage

History

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

Along with the L8A1, L37A1, and L37A2, the L8A2 is a British License built variant of the 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 trialed both the FN MAG and the American M60 machine gun, selecting the FN MAG for usage. 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. The L8A2 is an upgraded L8A1 with an improved feed system.

Media

An excellent addition to the article would be a video guide, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.

See also

External links


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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