vz. 52 | |
---|---|
Type | Light machine gun |
Place of origin | Czechoslovak Socialist Republic |
Service history | |
In service | 1952–1964 |
Used by | Czechoslovakia Cuba[1][2] Biafra[3] Indonesia[4] |
Wars | Bay of Pigs Invasion[5][6] Escambray Rebellion Nigerian Civil War |
Production history | |
Designer | Václav Holek |
Designed | 1950s |
Manufacturer | Zbrojovka Brno |
No. built | 8.000 |
Variants | vz. 52/57 |
Specifications | |
Mass | 8.0 kg (17.64 lb) |
Length | 1,045 mm (41.1 in) |
Barrel length | 583 mm (23.0 in) |
Cartridge | 7.62×45mm (vz. 52), 7.62×39mm (vz. 52/57) |
Action | Gas-operated, tilting breechblock |
Rate of fire | 900-1150 rounds/min |
Muzzle velocity | 760 m/s |
Effective firing range | 900/800 m |
Maximum firing range | 2800 m |
Feed system | 50-round belt or 25-round detachable box magazine |
Sights | Iron sights |
The vz. 52 (7,62mm lehký kulomet vzor 52) is a Czechoslovak light machine gun developed after the Second World War for the Czechoslovak Armed Forces.
[Of the items requested] it will be possible to satisfy a request for the supply of 7.62mm bullets for the vz.52 self-loading rifle and vz.52 light machine-gun.....If the Cuban needs are to be covered ... it would be necessary to manufacture another 116 million 7.62mm cartridges, and 150 million 9mm cartridges in Czechoslovakia....the first shipment of specialized materials will be sent prior to signing the contract between Czechoslovakia and Cuba. This shipment, valued at about 50 million Kčs CIF, will include 10,000 Czechoslovak 9mm guns, 500 [Vz. 52] light and 250 [ ZB-53? ]heavy machine guns, 100,000 hand grenades and 40 million [small arms ammunition] cartridges.
The tenth chapter, listing infantry weapons, refers to the DP, Vz.52, RP-46 and ZB-53 machine guns in the inventory of the Territorial Troops Militia
Interview of the author with José Ramón González Suca : 'We had....a VZ machine gun with bipod and 200 rounds for belt or magazine feed...After the battle I found out the VZ belts are crap. They're more effective with magazines. But the guys wanted it to be like in the movies. '
Interview of the author with Luis "Oriente" Clemente Carralero : 'I told the people with the three BZs[sic] to remove the cartridge belts and use the magazines. We had 200 rounds for each BZ[sic] and 80 for each rifle - nothing compared to what they used against us.'