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. Fired from Sopwith Camels, SE.5s, and early Spitfires and Hurricanes. A critical piece of aviation and military history.
Type: Rifle
Introduced: 1917, United Kingdom
Parent case: None
Standardization: Obsolete / Non-standard
Bullet diameter: 0.45" (11.43 mm)
Case length: 3.185" (80.9 mm)
Overall length: 3.99" (101.35 mm)
Max pressure: 42,000 PSI
Rim type: Semi-Rimmed
Primer: Large Rifle
Typical twist rate: 1:20
Muzzle velocity: 2600–2650 fps
Muzzle energy: 5899–6124 ft-lbs
Effective range: 500 yd
Common bullet weights: 393 gr
Primary use: Military
Production status: Obsolete
Also known as: .450 Vickers · 11mm Vickers aircraft · 11.43x81mmSR
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…
Notable firearms: Vickers Class E Aircraft Gun, Various WWI British fighter aircraft installations, Armored vehicle mounts
Military use: {"country":"United Kingdom","years":"1917-1945","notes":"RAF and Royal Navy aircraft — Vickers Class E aircraft gun; also armored vehicles and fortifications"}, {"country":"British Commonwealth","years":"1917-1945","notes":"Australia, Canada, New Zealand — all operated Vickers-armed aircraft"}
Similar cartridges: .50 BMG, 20mm Hispano, .303 British