Lindcott Armory Rifle · Obsolete / Non-standard
11mm Vickers
The cartridge of the Vickers aircraft machine gun — the primary fixed forward-firing gun of British WWI fighter aircraft and a significant WWII defensive gun.
- Caliber
- 0.4475″ · 11.367 mm
- Introduced
- 1917
- Case
- Semi-Rimmed
- Primary use
- Military
- Status
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1917
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Inventor
- Vickers Limited
- Manufacturer
- Kynoch (historical)
- Standard
- Obsolete / Non-standard
- Status
- Obsolete
- Availability
- Collector Only
- Case capacity
- 75 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:20
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Semi-Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 42,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 500 yd
- Max range
- 1500 yd
- Recoil
- 15–22 ft·lb
Ballistics
- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 11.37 | 0.448 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 11.90 | 0.469 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 13.50 | 0.531 | · |
| Shoulder angle | — | — | |
| Base ⌀ | 13.80 | 0.543 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 16.90 | 0.665 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.90 | 0.075 | · |
| Neck length | — | — | |
| Case length | 59.00 | 2.323 | · |
| Overall length | 76.00 | 2.992 | · |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 11mm Vickers is highlighted below.
Missing a dimension for 11mm Vickers? Some case measurements aren't in a published SAAMI/CIP drawing yet. Have a factory or reamer print? Send it → — verified hard-to-find data earns a free Lindcott sticker.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Connected reference
History
Vickers Limited developed the 11mm aircraft gun cartridge in 1917 as British aviation demanded heavier firepower than the rifle-caliber .303 British used in the synchronized Vickers infantry gun. The 11mm Vickers was chambered in the Vickers Class E aircraft gun, mounted in various British fighters and observation aircraft. The cartridge delivered dramatically more energy than .303 against airframe targets. By WWII, the RAF had largely transitioned to the 20mm Hispano cannon and .303 Browning for fighter armament, with the 11mm Vickers finding secondary use in defensive gun positions and armored vehicles. The cartridge saw service across two world wars and is collected today as WWI/WWII aviation memorabilia. Surviving examples of the ammunition appear at specialist auctions and militaria shows.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 11mm Vickers use?
- 11mm Vickers typically uses a 1:20 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 11mm Vickers?
- 11mm Vickers uses a 0.4475″ (11.367 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 11mm Vickers still in production?
- 11mm Vickers is obsolete; typical availability is collector only.
- What is 11mm Vickers used for?
- 11mm Vickers is primarily used for military.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →