.50 cal has lower suppression than maxim at max range. .50 cal also has lower damage than maxim at max range. .50 cal has higher aoe suppresion than maxim, but slightly weaker than MG42. .50 cal has very good scaling of both damage and suppression as you get closer to your target, but because it has the weakest HMG crew in the game by a huge margin, taking advantage of that is practically impossible.
and what perspective would playing two factions that I have no interest in playing teach to me?
I've used maxims and mortars and ZiS-3's because I've captured them in the field, I know how good they are because I've used them against people like you to a point that they rage quit.
Nothing is quite as sweet as using a stuka against a support team spammer, or using his own stuff against him, the rage is juicy.
Than why the f*ck you still spamming ridiculous bullsh*t in balance section?