Cat. No. | Introduction | Obsolescent | Obsolete | Remarks |
Section C.2 B.M.0490 B.M.0491 |
L. of C. A.9603 57/Tanks/1870 6th November 1933 |
L. of C. C.2022 57/SA/1385 24th August 1944 |
This was a yet again improved version of the .5″ gun. It was eventually the standardised version of the .5″ gun that was to be used in all Light Tanks of the early war period. It was made stronger overall with thickening of the sideplates and trunnion block. The Mk. V was put into production in 1935 and it was a relatively success. It had an rate of fire between 500 and 600 rounds per minute. It weighed 63 lbs without water. The weight increases were due to the strengthening and restructuring of the receiver.
There is a .5″ Mk V within this collection; however, due to its weight, it is rarely displayed. It has been used for a photo study while recreating a soldier of the Long Range Desert Group. They were armed with the .5″ as a heavy machine gun mounted to the rear of 30cwt Chevrolet trucks.
There is also a range of accessories in the photograph – these can be further explored at the accessories pages. This is alongside a ‘V’ series Vickers Mk. I for size comparison.
Catalogue entry
List of changes A 9603, GUNS, MACHINE, VICKERS, .5-IN., MK. V
- Cat No. C2/BM 0490, List of changes B 463, …With L.H. feed block
- Cat No. C2/BM 0491, …With R.H. feed block
Production information
The .5-inch Mk. V Vickers MG was the main armament on the Light Tanks used by the Royal Tanks Corps (and later Regiment) in the 1930s and in the first few years of the Second World War, until replaced by the Besa and Browning MGs.
The table below provides a small amount of manufacturing data from 1935 onwards.
Date | Item | Maker | Quantity and Other Details |
05.09.1935 | Vickers .5″ Mk V for AFV | Vickers Armstrong | 48 |
05.09.1935 | Vickers .5″ Mk V for AFV | Enfield | 58 |
24.09.1936 | Vickers .5″ Mk V and spares | Vickers Armstrong | 200 |
23.02.1939 | Vickers .5″ Mk V, RH Feed | Vickers Armstrong | 160 with spares |
31.03.1939 | Vickers .5″ Mk V & spares | Enfield | 24 |
01.06.1939 | Vickers .5″ Mk V & spares | Enfield | 53 |
26.07.1939 | Vickers .5″ Mk V DP | Enfield | 4 |