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[SAS~Skylla]

Here's a pic of a MK 108 test run I found in a book:



The picture was token after a test with a captured MK 108 gun on a RAF firing range.
The result must have been frightening for both the testers and crews of bombers facing fighters armed with these...

[SAS~Storebror]

A few more images of damage caused by 108s.
This was an effective air to air weapon for sure.

[SAS~Skylla]

a video of a test with a Spitfire as target:

[Typhoon Ib]

one hit.
one.
???
and the 190 had that in the nose and in the wings.
and so many other planes too.
deutsche Werksqualität.

very informative! ???

[SAS~Storebror]

A (not just prototype / 1945 "handsful" build) 190 with MK108 in nose and wings? Tell me more.

[Typhoon Ib]

nono... i meant "either"; The 152's had them in the nose... and the A6/7/8 could have them in the outer wings?
Just saying... the late Gustavs could have them, the 410's the late 110G's

scary stuff!

[BlackAce7727]

Jesus I didn't know they were THAT powerful!  ??? I thought in IL2 they were just an overpowered weapon like the 5000 pound bomb that the Pe-2 carries! Jesus though, seems though they really were a beasty cannon! 

[DD_BadAim]

I've found similar results in IL2. It's not really very easy to hit fighters with 'em, but when you do it's "boom, boom out go the lights" They disassemble bombers handily as well but it's bloody dangerous to get that close. Methinks IL2 does this stuff better than a lot of people give it credit for. Just my $.02

[JG54Spookie]

The only downside to the MK108 was it's poor ballistic properties, but hitting a something as big as bomber isn't too hard (if you can get close enough...)

Edit: IMHO, the MK 103 is more frightening. Lower rate of fire, but higher velocity, and higher-quality parts.

[greybeard]

Much impressive trial results, but in reality?

MK 108 did have a poor muzzle velocity which required to get very close to target. Its rate of fire was poor too and hit probability of a burst on a moving target was low as a consequence. It also had problems of distortion during high G maneuvers.

Actually an effective gun against big and non-maneuvering bombers (if you could get close enough), but I would have had MG 151/20 against other fighters...

[SAS~Storebror]

MK 108 (...) rate of fire was poor too and hit probability of a burst on a moving target was low as a consequence (...) I would have had MG 151/20 against other fighters...

Hm...
Rate of fire:
MK 108 = 650 RPM
MG 151/20 = 600-750 RPM

It also had problems of distortion during high G maneuvers.

? ? ?
That's been an MG-FF issue, but the APIB principle of the MK 108 solved this pretty fine.

It's rather been the slow muzzle velocity and the resulting trajectory that made the 108 unsuitable against fighters, anything else makes it far superior to guns of the 20mm calibre.

Best regards - Mike

[LuseKofte]

The cannon proved to be very effective and reliable, yet comparatively light, compact and easy to manufacture. These characteristics stem from its simple construction—80% of the weapon was made from stamped parts, and the number of moving parts was kept to a bare minimum by using advanced primer ignition blowback (APIB) operation. However, this has some disadvantages, mostly the inability to combine a high ballistic performance with a high rate of fire. The MK 108 was optimized for a high rate of fire.

Otherwise, it was simple to manufacture and maintain, and its compact size and weight as well as its electrical priming made it ideal for aircraft installation. The cannon's distinctive heavy pounding sound and high rate of fire gave it the nickname "pneumatic hammer" amongst Allied aircrews, amongst whom the cannon gained a fearsome reputation due to its destructive power.

you are correct in a way Mike
These fact are easily to get and easily to forget so I do not blame anyone. The  Germans had a lot of problems with their cannon design, but that is understandable. different temperatures and moist make these mechanical constructions pretty complicated