WWI Lewis M1918 machine gun for aircraft 3D model

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The iconic Lewis gun in .303 calibre was forged by the visionary US Col. Isaac Newton Lewis in 1911. It proudly served from 1914 to 1953, leaving an indelible mark on military history. An astonishing 202,050 were manufactured during World War I, and another staggering 152,050 during World War II. This formidable firearm was invented by the ingenious WO John W.B. Scarff of the British army for use in aircraft. Manufactured in both the United States and the United Kingdom, its influence spread across the globe, with fifty different nations utilising its firepower. For aerial deployment, a lightweight aluminium tube heat sink was meticulously removed to optimise performance. On June 7, 1912, the Lewis gun made history as the first machine gun fired from an aircraft in flight. Specifications included a weight of 13 kg and a length of 1062 mm for aerial use (reduced from 1280 mm for land operations). The barrel measured a remarkable 670 mm, with a width of 110 mm. Ammunition capacities differed between the two roles, with 47 rounds designed for land use and 97 rounds allocated for aerial missions, enhancing its versatility and adaptability on the battlefield.