VICKERS MK6B's resto

[David Dunlop]

Morning, Colin.

The modern German Marder sports a 20mm Machine Cannon, the spent casings from which are ultimately ejected out of the vehicle down, and foreword to the top of the front hull. Not at all sure what happens to the disposable metal links, but they may be captured somehow inside the vehicle.

Ejection/Extraction systems for these kinds of weapons are an art form in themselves. The direction the empty casing goes can be controlled quite well with the design of the mechanism. Earlier in the thread, it was discussed the ammunition feeds for the two guns in the Vickers would have been from bins to the outside of the two guns. It would make sense, therefore, that spent casings, and perhaps links, ejected to the inside of the two guns and very likely downwards.

Is there anything about the turret design that suggests an open channel, or duct of some form exists between and forward of the guns that the casings could be directed through and out the front? There might be additional fittings in this area inside the turret to assist in the flow of empties to the outside that have not been recognized yet.

Anyone familiar with the operation of these two guns feel free to comment. Every little bit will help.

David