Vickers for Interwar Tanks: The Class C/T Machine Gun

Published on June 25, 2021
Duration: 12:11

This guide details the disassembly of the Vickers Class C/T machine gun, focusing on barrel removal for maintenance. Expert Ian McCollum demonstrates how to access the barrel by first opening the top cover and then disassembling the muzzle booster. The barrel can then be withdrawn from the rear of the receiver, a design feature allowing for in-situ replacement within a tank. This process is crucial for maintaining the weapon's operational readiness in confined armored vehicles.

Quick Summary

The Vickers Class C/T machine gun was a specialized variant designed for interwar tanks, featuring a shortened barrel, a space-saving left-opening top cover, and a forward-ejecting tube for spent casings. Its muzzle booster allowed for barrel changes from inside the tank, a crucial feature for armored vehicle maintenance. Despite its innovations, water cooling challenges and the rise of air-cooled designs led to its obsolescence.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Vickers Class C/T
  2. 01:02External Modifications for Tank Use
  3. 02:36Markings and Space-Saving Design
  4. 03:45Trigger Mechanism and Ejection
  5. 04:50Left-Hand Feed Block
  6. 06:41Muzzle Booster and Barrel Changes
  7. 08:21Cooling System Challenges
  8. 11:16Obsolescence and Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What modifications were made to the Vickers Class C/T for tank use?

The Vickers Class C/T featured a shortened barrel for close-range defense, a large shoulder stock with leather padding for gunner comfort in cramped turrets, and a specialized forward-ejecting tube for spent casings. It also had a top cover that opened to the left to save space.

How did the Vickers Class C/T facilitate barrel changes inside a tank?

The muzzle booster was redesigned to allow the barrel to be pulled out through the back of the receiver. This critical feature enabled the tank crew to replace a worn barrel from within the safety of the vehicle without needing to disassemble the muzzle attachment.

What were the main challenges with water cooling for tank machine guns like the Vickers Class C/T?

Water cooling in tanks was problematic due to high ammunition consumption. Leaks were a significant issue, often shorting out the tank's electrical systems. Vickers experimented with recirculating systems and connecting to the tank's radiator, but these solutions were often unreliable.

Why did the Vickers Class C/T become obsolete?

By the late 1930s, air-cooled machine guns became the preferred choice for tanks. More modern designs, such as those based on the Browning machine gun, began to supersede the Vickers Class C/T in the armored vehicle role, leading to its gradual phase-out.

More Gunsmithing & DIY Videos You Might Like

More from Forgotten Weapons

View all →