@Rappy: Just because a win rate "isn't bad" doesn't mean it's "good" either. But I'll take not bad for now, and hope Relic can keep tuning it till it gets closer. No Kappa.
It's really a difference of bursts. MG42 usually suppresses on first burst which makes it the most reliable crowd control. You can walk the fire to multiple sqauds in its arc to suppress multiple sqauds. The Vickers will usually suppress on the 3rd burst which is often "good enough" but not always. In the meantime it gets 2 full DPS bursts in making it pretty deadly. It's probably the perfect MG for taking on only one or two squads, but not more.
I'd say the Vickers is much better than "situational", but still 2nd place to the MG42 overall. The MG42 is just awesome because it's the closest thing to a "get out of jail free card" an MG can give you. It can really save your butt if you are fast enough to work with its really long setup time.
Yeah if you want actual damage, you don't want to suppress quickly because suppression basically neuters damage done to the suppressed squad. But if you're not looking for the suppression then why use an MG really?
Crew trying to push a wheeled maxim stuck in the mud, with one guy standing tall pointing and yelling "inspiration style" to move forwards, the rest head down shoving with all their might. Maybe add a waiving flag in the background.
(Sorry if this is too specific! Just wheeled maxim stuck in the mud with crew pushing was my original suggestion >.< )