A restored Maxson Meatchopper motorizes a 4-pack of .50cals (VIDEO)
The motorized Maxson M45 Quad turret was a devastating way to bring a bunch of .50 calibers to the fight in WWII and here is a chance to see one lovingly restored.
IJM Restorations in the UK has been working on a vintage Maxson for several weeks and in the above video shows it in working condition, able to elevate and traverse with the assistance of a small gasoline-powered engine.
Known as “The Meatchopper” from its use against infantry, the M45 was designed as an anti-aircraft gun. The electrically powered mount moved at about 60-degrees per second and could elevate to near-vertical and depress slightly less than the horizon for use against ground targets in enfilade.Two 6-volt batteries that were recharged by a small Briggs and Stratton gas engine coupled to a generator fed the electric motor on the mount.
To this mount, the design added a central gunner’s seat of luxurious canvas, a large spiderweb-type graduated sight, and four Browning heavy machine guns arranged in a pair on each side, which provided .50 cal suppression in surround sound.
Fully equipped with 800 rounds of ammunition, armor shield for the gunner, oil, fuel for the engine and all accessories, the mount topped 2400-pounds. This size fit in the rear of a large truck, half-track, or could be towed alone on a small M20-style trailer and their firepower made them very popular with the Joes in the field.
Now if IJM just had working M2s to go with it…
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Source: http://www.guns.com/2016/07/29/a-restored-maxson-meatchopper-motorizes-4-50cals-video/
