shared evenly by both drums and as the gun fired, converged under spring tension towards the centre and from thence passed downwards into the action. The MG 15 having a firing rate of 1000+ rpm could empty the magazine in 4.5 seconds or less, and typical practice was to provide at least 10 spare magazines for each gun on the aircraft. This of course still left the gunner with the problem of reloading in combat, offering a brief opportunity for enemy fighters to attack with impunity. Starting in late 1940 the MG 15 was replaced by the belt-fed Mauser 7.92 mm MG 81, MG 81Z (twin-MG 81), MG 131 13 mm machine guns, or MG 151/20 20 mm cannons. As they became redundant in their original role, many MG 15s were modified for infantry use, and a carrying device was also issued that held three of the saddle-drums. (There are a number of pictures showing the guns, both aircraft and ground versions, with 25-round magazines from another machine-gun, the MG 13, however the magazines are not compatible with the MG 15.) The official total of conversions was about 17,648 by January 1, 1944, although the actual number may have been greater. The license-produced MG 15 was used in the Japanese aircraft as the Type 98 flexible-mounted machine gun and as the Type 1 in the Imperial Japanese Navy. Type 98 machine guns were also used by the Communist forces during the Korean War. Specifications Calibre: 7.9 +/- .04 mm Cartridge: 7.92×57mm Mauser Round weight: 35.5 grams (cartridge 24 grams, bullet 11.5 grams) Muzzle velocity: Rate of fire: 1000 (possibly up to 1050) rpm Length : (without attachments) Barrel length: Weight unloaded with gunsight and cartridge bag: Weight loaded with gunsight and cartridge bag: 75-round magazine unloaded: 75-round magazine loaded: Weight of the 2-part loader: References Notes Sources MG 15 in private collection, forum site Imperial Japanese Weapons External links 7.92×57mm Mauser machine guns MG 015 machine gun Light machine guns Machine guns of Germany World War II infantry weapons of Germany World War II infantry weapons of Japan World War II machine guns Rheinmetall Military equipment introduced in the 1930s