Original Vietnam War U.S. Navy Colt Mk12 Mod.0 20mm Prop Aircraft Display Autocannon Machine Gun with Feed Chutes

Original and Replica Items: Only One Available. This is VERY impressive "Mock Up" type Colt Mk 12 Mod. 0 20mm Prop Aircraft Display Autocannon Machine Gun, made using original components attached to a custom fabricated totally inert steel receiver. This was made with several pieces of thick steel welded together to make an empty "box", and has no functional ability whatsoever, making this a 100% legal mockup display gun. The only original part on the receiver is a 5 inch long piece from the side of the original side plate, which was welded on the exterior of the left side. This has the original markings, which read:

U.S. NAVY BU. OF ORD.
20 MM GUN MECH.
MK 12 MOD 0
WT. 88 LBS. SERIAL NO. 518614
U.S.N.O.P. YORK. PA.
D713941646

It has a "top cover" that opens, showing the interior of the box, which has had part of the bolt assembly welded in place, mainly so that a cartridge could lock in place. As best we can tell, the barrel assembly and trunion are original, as is the flash hider, however we do not know if the flash hider is correct. This was made to be part of a static display, and was made more with the thought of looking like a ground-mount machine gun than one used in aircraft. It is mounted to a frame, which actually has a grip and trigger to the right, and some type of shoulder rest on the left side. There is also a sight on the top of the "top cover".

As best we can tell, many of the components are U.S. issue, and have stock numbers molded into them, however we do not know if they are correct for the Mk 12. We also do not know what type of mount the hardware on this would attach to, as it does not stand up on its own. Originally it had 20mm feed chutes attached to both sides, which is not really correct, however the left side chute broke off except for the top link. It could probably be repaired, but we left it as is, as it doesn't make any sense for a machine gun to have two feed chutes. It also looks like there was a handle on the front left of the frame, which broke off but is included.

At 84 inches long and over 100lbs, this is a very impressive display piece that is sure to turn heads. Ready to display, if you have the room!

Curbside delivery within the continental US is included in the purchase price.

The Colt Mk 12 is a 20 mm autocannon that was widely used by the United States Navy after World War II.

Development
The Mk 12 was an advanced derivative of the wartime Hispano HS 404 that was used on French, British and some American fighter aircraft during World War II. It used a lighter projectile with a bigger charge for better muzzle velocity and higher rate of fire at the cost of hitting power. It entered U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps service in the mid-1950s, replacing the earlier M3 cannon.

In service, the Mk 12 proved less than satisfactory. Although its muzzle velocity and rate of fire were acceptable, it was inaccurate and frequently unreliable. Pilots of the F-8 Crusader over North Vietnam, in particular, appreciated the presence of the cannon, but jams and stoppages were common, especially following hard dogfighting maneuvers in high-g environments.

Nevertheless, the Mk 12 was standard cannon armament on gun-armed American naval fighters and attack aircraft from the early 1950s to the early 1970s, including the F4D Skyray, F3H Demon, A-4 Skyhawk, F-8 Crusader, F-11 Tiger and early navy versions of the LTV A-7 Corsair II.

International customers of the A-4 Skyhawk, F-8 Crusader, and the A-7 Corsair II also used the Mk 12 cannon: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, France, Kuwait, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines and Portugal. The only exceptions were Israel and Singapore. The Israeli Air Force replaced the Mk 12 cannon with the French 30 mm DEFA cannon (a revolver design) in its Skyhawks, while the Republic of Singapore Air Force fitted the British 30 mm ADEN cannon (another revolver). Indonesia later bought some used A-4s from Israel.

As of 2013, the Mk 12 cannon is still in use in Skyhawks of the Argentine Air Force and the Brazilian Navy.