Vickers MG in re-enactment

[Richard Fisher]

As I may have previously mentioned, the Living History unit that I belong to is considering doing an MG section of the Cheshire Regiment attached to 56th (London) Division in Italy during late 1943.

I was wondering what other units are out there that portray Machine Gun units of any period.

Thanks,

Richard

[andrewupton]

Hello Richard,

This is the reenactment group of which I'm a member, I wonder if it answers your question :-)

mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/V.M.G

[tranham]

Here in the USA we have the GWA, www.great-war-assoc.org/. Our national battle takes place twice a year with around 300 people attending each time. Its a blast!

Robert Nitsche

[bordermmg]

We (Summer of '44) sometimes re-enact S-Co 1st (Airlanding) Bn, The Border Regt
We have 3 MMGs all Aussi ones, It is ideal for some events as an MMG and kit fits into the modern cars easy and still looks impressive. I will post some pictures when I get home from work,

[britplumber]

Have you got any Aussy vickers serial numbers and tripod numbers for the register?

[woodsy]

We have used Vickers here for re-enactment with a choke fitted in the muzzle booster to operate with blanks. The standard .303 Mk V blanks are no good as the card over-powder wad clogs the system after a few rounds, and also do not have enough power to effectively operate the gun. We started using some movie blanks that Peter Jackson had made up which operated the gun very well for about 100 rounds and then stoppages began to occur. I found that the back wall of the muzzle booster is quite thin and was pulled forward and out of shape by the power of the blanks. I had already adjusted the fusee spring weight to fire at about 450-500 rpm. Because these guns need recoil to operate reliably, the blank conversions are not to be recommended unless you are prepared to have the gun permanently altered and the working parts lightened. I am currently experimenting with a new barrel and muzzle booster combination which may prove reliable without any permanent alteration of the gun. I will keep the forum posted on the results.

[bordermmg]

I will sort the number of my vickers when I get time, prop a few weeks as its packed away for the winter while I tidy my kit room,

[bordermmg]

Picture as promised, Myself as L/cpl No1 and N02 (Ade gun owner) This is the gun featured In the book, For King and Country.

[vicky41]

Hello All,

An old thread but I just joined.

My re-enactment club War Department in the Netherlands, is portraying the same Border Regt as Summer of 44. We have 12 Pl B Coy and 25 Pl Anti Tank S Coy with one 6Pr, plus 28 Pl MMG S Coy with one blank firing Vickers MMG.

Cheers,

Mac