MG 81

The MG81 was a German belt fed 7.92 mm machine gun, used in flexible installations in World War II Luftwaffe aircraft, replacing the older drum magazine-fed MG15.

The MG 81 was developed by Mauser as a derivative of their successful MG34 infantry machine gun. Development focus was to reduce production cost and time and to optimize for use in aircraft. Developed in 1938/1939, it was in production from 1940 to 1945.

MG81

MG 81 - 7.92x57mm Mauser.

MG 81 - 7.92x57mm Mauser.

Specifications

Place of origin - Nazi Germany
Production |- 1940 - 1945
Manufacturer - Mauser
Caliber - 7.9mm
Cartridge - 7.92 x 57mm Mauser
Weight - 6.5 kg (14.33 lb)
Length - 965 mm (38.0 in) (with flash hider)
Barrel length - 475 mm (18.7 in)
Rate of fire - 1,400-1,600 rounds/min
Effective range - N/A
Feed system - Belt-fed

The MG 81 is used by the following actors in the following movies, television series, anime, and video games:

Film

Title	Actor	Character	Note	Date
Into the White			Mounted in a Heinkel He-111 bomber	2012

Video Game

Game Title	Appears as	Note	Release Date
Hidden & Dangerous 2	MG 81	Weapons placed on a plane	2003

MG 81Z

A special twin-mount MG 81Z (the Z suffix stands for Zwilling - meaning "twin") was introduced in 1942. It paired up two of the weapons on one mount to provide even more firepower with a maximum rate of fire of 3200 rounds/minute without requiring much more space than a standard machine gun.

MG81Z - 7.92x57mm Mauser.

Specifications

Place of origin - Nazi Germany
Production - 1942 - 1945
Manufacturer - Mauser
Caliber - 7.9mm
Cartridge - 7.92 x 57mm Mauser
Weight - 12.9 kg
Length - 890 mm
Barrel length - 475 mm (18.7 in)
Rate of fire - 3000-3200 rounds/min
Effective range - N/A
Feed system - Belt-fed

The MG 81Z is used by the following actors in the following movies, television series, anime, and video games:

Film

Title	Actor	Character	Note	Date
Raiders of the Lost Ark	Karen Allen	Marion Ravenwood	Fitted with non-typical flash hiders and MG 15 Doppeltrommel saddle drum and sights.	1981