Bright Sword: Starting from the Improved Grenade

Heavy machine guns are tested differently than light machine guns.

Light machine gun testing focuses more on portability, mobility, and easier operation and maintenance.

Heavy machine guns, on the other hand, focus more on rate of fire, firepower, reliability and durability.

So the gun inspector first installed a two-legged stand on the Taihang Type 38 general-purpose machine gun and then simply tested its performance as a light machine gun.

He took off the two tripods, replaced them with a heavier one, put on a new ammunition belt, and aimed at the scarecrow in front of him.

"coming soon!"

Everyone present held their breath.

The next moment, a sharp and short "chi chi chi..." sound was heard, similar to that of a high-speed electric saw.

The scarecrow within a thousand meters ahead was instantly smashed into pieces, with straw flying everywhere.

"Is this over?"

Everyone looked surprised.

"Wow, the firing rate is really fast! It's only been one minute, and 700 rounds of ammunition are gone?"

Liu Guifu said in surprise.

“It’s already much slower!”

Shen Hong said: "We adjusted the quality of the bolt, reducing the firing rate from 1,500 rounds per minute to the current 700 rounds per minute."

The MG42 is a machine gun that operates on the principle of short-barrel recoil.

The recoil of the bullet will cause the bolt and the barrel to recoil a certain distance.

Then the barrel and bolt unlock and separate, and the bolt continues to move backward.

At this time, the mass of the bolt determines the speed of its movement. The larger the mass, the slower the speed, and vice versa.

"Seven hundred rounds in one minute, that's pretty fast!"

Everyone was shocked. Is this really a heavy machine gun that our Eighth Route Army can afford?

"That's enough. You know, the most important thing about a heavy machine gun is its suppression power. If your firing rate is slow, how can you suppress it?"

Zhao Tianyang said disapprovingly: "Even the Maxim heavy machine gun we are using now has a firing rate of 600 rounds per minute. A firing rate of 700 rounds is already very slow."

"That's right, a firing rate of 700 rounds is just enough to suppress the Japs' pheasant necks. I think that's great!"

Liu Ding thought about it and agreed.

"Okay, let's try the curve shot again!"

Zhao Tianyang said to the gun inspector who was taking a rest nearby.

Regarding curved shooting, I believe many people may have seen the segment about "heavy machine gun curved shooting in the Battle of the Somme"!

In fact, most of these jokes are made up. In general, the combat method of heavy machine guns is still based on defensive warfare and direct shooting.

Three points in a straight line, in a place with a wide field of vision, they fired at the charging enemy.

So how does the heavy machine gun cover teammates' attacks?

Of course, the heavy machine guns should be deployed at the rear and side to strafe the enemy from the flank, so as not to attack the attacking friendly forces.

Of course, there is another method, that is, if the terrain permits, the heavy machine gun is at a high point and the attacking friendly forces are at a low point.

At this time, the heavy machine gun can raise the muzzle and use the curved shooting method to assist teammates in the attack.

"Yes."

The gun inspector nodded, took out a new ammunition belt from the side, put it on the Taihang Type 38 general-purpose machine gun, then raised the muzzle 45 degrees and pulled the trigger.

“Squeak, squeak, squeak…”

Looking at the scarecrow in front of him, which was already in tatters and became even more tattered after being beaten, Zhao Tianyang nodded.

"Alright, that's it, the Taihang Type 38 general-purpose machine gun has been finalized!"

"That's great!"

Apart from the people responsible for manufacturing light and heavy machine guns, to Zhao Tianyang's surprise, there were some people who did not seem very happy.

Obviously, the high rate of fire of the Taihang Type 38 general-purpose machine gun made them very worried that the Eighth Route Army would not have enough bullets.

"There's nothing to worry about. Heavy machine guns are used to suppress fire and support team members."

"If the rate of fire is too slow, then there is no point in its existence. It would be better to have a few more rifles!"

Zhao Tianyang patted Liu Guifu on the shoulder, gave him some advice, and then hurriedly left the testing site.

Of course, when I left, I didn't forget to take the two light and heavy machine guns with me.

.................

"I declare the Steam Armored Car Project open!"

Engine Factory, Zhao Tianyang announced loudly and excitedly.

"Do it!"

At Zhao Tianyang's order, Yu Xiaping led the workers and rushed to the armored vehicle that had been loaded with iron sheets.

He wanted to make a steam-powered armored vehicle when the steam-powered tractor appeared.

But because of the light and heavy machine guns, there has been no progress. Now, light and heavy machine guns are out.

Unfortunately, imagination is beautiful, but reality is cruel. After a week of research, Zhao Tianyang finally understood why steam-powered armored vehicles were only a flash in the pan in history.

The armor was too thick for the steam engine to move it; the armor was too thin for it to be bulletproof; and because of the use of tracks, a large part of the power of the steam engine was reduced.

Finally, after selection and improvement, an armored vehicle that was slightly visible, with two chimneys in the middle and two light and heavy machine guns placed in the front, appeared in front of Zhao Tianyang and others.

"Let's test it first!"

Zhao Tianyang scratched his head with a headache: "If it really doesn't work, forget it, I will only make steam locomotives or tractors in the future!"

After the final test, this armored vehicle, which weighs up to 2 tons and has only mm of armor, can only barely go on the road.

Even at full speed, it is not as fast as Zhao Tianyang's.

Perhaps the only advantage is that it can move with light and heavy machine guns.

However, given the complex environment on the battlefield, with its remaining power, a wider pit might be enough to stop it from moving forward.

"Depend on!"

Looking at the steam engine armored vehicle that had taken half a day to climb because of a rock blocking the way, Zhao Tianyang felt a little annoyed and couldn't help but swear.

"Section Chief, we don't really need to make steam engine armor."

"We can now produce gasoline engines, so why not use them to build a proper armored vehicle?"

Yu Xiaping advised: "As for the steam engine, I think we can just use it to make tractors and cars."

"Ah... this is the only way!"

Zhao Tianyang sighed and directed everyone to drive the steam engine armored vehicle back to the engine factory and remove all the armor.