Tag: flak 38

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German

2 cm Flak 38: A.A./A.T. Gun

2 cm Flak 38: A.A./A.T. Gun

The Flak 38 was introduced in 1940 to replace the 2 cm Flak 30. Its performance does not differ materially from that of the earlier weapon, except for a higher cyclic rate of fire of 450 rounds per minute.

The gun is operated by short barrel recoil and the residual pressure of gas in the barrel. Recoil unlocks the breech and imparts rearward acceleration to the breechblock carrier. This rearward acceleration is assisted by gas pressure after unlocking has been completed so that the breechblock travels back with sufficient force to perform the operations of extraction, ejection, and compression of the return spring.

The energy required for closing the breech and carrying a fresh round to the chamber is provided by the return spring, assisted at first by the buffer spring.

The breechblock is of the Solothurn type. Any tendency toward rebound is counteracted by the impact of an inertia block at the end of the forward movement. The barrel has resistance rings which brake the recoil and forward movements of the barrel; a buffer and buffer spring arrest the backward movement of the breech block.

This weapon may be adjusted for either semi-automatic or full-automatic fire. It is fired by a foot pedal. Cartridges are fed from a 20-round curved box magazine hinged on the left of the gun.

The mounting consists principally of the base, cradle, traversing and elevating gears, firing mechanism, and lighting equipment.

Traverse is 10° per turn of handwheel in fine gear and 30° in coarse gear; rate of elevation or depression is 4° per turn in fine gear and 12° in coarse gear.

The weapon, which is transported on a trailer, may be mounted on railways cars or road vehicles. When traveling over difficult country, gun and mounting may be split into six loads.

SPECIFICATIONS

Caliber         20 mm (.79 in.)
Length of tube
Weight (travelling position) 1,630 lb.
Weight (firing position) 924 lb.
Length (travelling position) 157 ins.
Height (travelling position) 67 ins.
Height (firing position) 30 ins. mounted flush
Width (overall) 71 ins.
Width of trail spread
Length of bore 44 ins.
No. of grooves
Width of grooves
Depth of grooves
Width of lands
Muzzle velocity (HE shell) 2,950 f.s. (A.P. shell)
2,624 f.s.
Max. range (horizontal) 5,246 yds.
Max. range (vertical) 4,012 yds.
Rate of fire 220 rds. (practical), 450 (theoretical)
Traverse 360°
Elevation +90°
Depression -20°
Length of recoil
Ammunition H.E. four types; A.P. two types
Wt. of 1 magazine of 20 rds 21 lb.

German: p. 136

Categories
German

2 cm Flak 38 Geb.: A.A./A.T. Mountain Gun

Gebirgsflak 38: 2 cm Flak 38 Geb.: A.A./A.T. Mountain Gun

The 2 cm Flak 38, used in mountainous territory, is a semi- or full-automatic, short recoil operated gun. It is fed with a box type magazine containing 20 rounds. The breechblock is of the Solothurn type. The barrel is equipped with a flash hider. It is the 2 cm Flak 38 gun on a light mount.

This weapon is fired by means of a foot pedal on the right front of the mount. The layer’s seat behind the gun rotates with the mount in traverse. Elevating and traversing are manual by means of handwheels located on the right and left sides of the mount respectively. There are two speeds both in elevating and traversing; high speed is obtained by compressing a lever in the handwheel grip.

A small shield is attached to the front of the cradle, and a large shield of two sections is attached to the front of the mount. This mount is a two-wheeled, pneumatic-tired trailer and pack type which may be towed by a prime mover or taken apart and transported in sections by horse or foot troops.

SPECIFICATIONS

Caliber         20 mm (.79 in.)
Length of tube (with flash hider) 56.6 ins.
Weigth (travelling position) 825 lb.
Weight (firing position) 690 lb.
Length (travelling position) 143 ins.
Length (firing position)
Height (travelling position) 50-57 ins.
Height (firing position) 31-42 ins. mounted flush
Width (overall); (travelling position) 47 ins.
Width of trail spread
Length of bore 44 ins.
No. of grooves
Width of grooves
Depth of grooves
Width of lands
Muzzle velocity (H.E. shell) 2,950 f.s.;
(A.P. shell) 2,624 f.s.
Max. range (horizontal) 5,246 yds.
Max. range (vertical) 4,012 yds.
Rate of fire 220 yds. (practical): 450 (theoretical)
Traverse 360°
Elevation +90°
Depression -20°
Length of recoil
Ammunition H.E. (four types): A.P. (two types)
Wt. of 1 magazine of 20 rds 21 lb.

German: p. 137

Categories
German

2 cm Flakvierling 38: A.A./A.T. Gun

2 cm Flakvierling 38: A.A./A.T. Gun

The 2 cm Flakvierling 38, consisting of four 2 cm Flak 38’s on a quadruple mounting, may be employed against both ground and aerial targets. It is normally transported on a trailer (Sd. Ah. 52) but may be mounted on railed or semi-tracked vehicles. The Trailer 52 consists of a wishbone-shaped, welded 1/4 inch steel plate frame supported on pneumatic tires. Because of its collapsing seats, folding handles, and handy ammunition racks, the Flakvierling 38 is a trim, compact, and conveniently operated weapon. The monobloc barrels may be quickly and easily changed, and the piece rapidly emplaced for fire.

The method of operation is basically that of the Solothurn. Both barrel and bolt recoil a short distance together; the barrel stops, and the bolt continues on to the rear. The guns fire from an open bolt position and may be operated either automatically or semi-automatically. Each one is equipped with a spring type equilibrator that is attached to the mount.

The mount consists of a triangular base which has a jack at each apex for leveling the gun when it is in firing position; a traversing ring which is fixed to the base and upon which the carriage body sits; and the carriage body, which in turn supports the four barrels and accessories. A compensator bolted to the carriage body counteracts muzzle preponderance.

The guns are fired by a set of foot pedals; each of two pedals fires two diametrically opposite guns. The mount is traversed and elevated manually by the tracker who has the two handwheels within easy reach. Empty cartridge cases are ejected toward the center of the gun mount into chutes leading to a deflector box which holds about 500 cases.

Sighting equipment for the Flakvierling 38 consists of the tachymetric sight, Flakvisier 40, or for ground targets, the Linealvisier 21.

SPECIFICATIONS

Caliber         2 cm (.79 in.)
Length of tube 45.82 ins. plus flash hider of 5.75 ins.
Weight (travelling position) 4,890 lb.
Weight (firing position) 3,200 lb.
Length (overall) 169 ins.
Length (firing position)
Height (travelling position) 84 ins.
Height (firing position) guns elevated 10 ft., 1 in.
Width (overall), (travelling position) 95 ins.
Width of trail spread
Length of bore
No. of grooves 8 lands and grooves
Width of grooves
Depth of grooves
Width of lands
Muzzle velocity (H.E. shell) 2,950 f.s.
(A.P. shell) 2,624 f.s.
Max. range (horizontal) 5,246 yds.
Max. range (vertical) 4,012 yds.
Rate of fire 800 practical; 1,400 cyclic rds. per min.
Traverse 360°
Elevation 100°
Depression -10°
Length of recoil
Ammunition H.E. four types; A.P. two types
Wt. of 1 magazine of 20 rds 21 lb.
Ammunition stowage 320 rds.

German: p. 133

Categories
German

10.5 cm Flak 38, 39: Multi-Purpose Gun

10.5 cm Flak 38, 39: Multi-Purpose Gun

This gun, of which two models are in service, is the standard German heavy antiaircraft weapon. While this is its primary use, it is also provided with antitank sights and A.P.C. shells. It is produced in both static and mobile versions and is also mounted on railed vehicles.

Its horizontal range is slightly greater than the 88 mm Flak, but it does not possess as great a vertical range. Elevation, depression, and traversing are the same as in the 88 mm gun.

Both the loading and fuze-setting mechanisms are power operated. The carriage has two outriggers which are folded up for transport. The traversing and elevating gears have two speeds for manual operation; provision is also made for power operation.

There are three types of ammunition fired in this weapon:

(a) H. E. Shell with Time Fuze—(10.5 cm SPGR. L/4.4 mit ZT.Z.S./30)

This shell is fuzed for antiaircraft firing and is fitted with the same clock-work fuze, the ZT.Z.S./30, that is used with the 8.8 cm AA ammunition.

(b) H.E. Shell with Percussion Fuze

(c) A.P.C. Shell

The following are estimated penetration figures for the weapon firing an A.P.C. Shell against homogeneous armor:

Range Thickness of Armor
     30°     Normal 
1,000 yds.         (5.5 ins.)         (6.5 ins.)
1,500 yds. (5.1 ins.) (6.0 ins.)
2,000 yds. (4.7 ins.) (5.6 ins.)

SPECIFICATIONS

Caliber         10.5 cm (4.14 ins.)
Length of tube 21 ft.
Weight (travelling position) 13.8 tons
Weight (firing position) 9.8 tons
Length (travelling position) 27 ft., 7 ins.
Length (firing position)
Height (travelling position) 9 ft., 6 ins.
Height (firing position) 71 in.
Width (overall); (travelling position) 96 ins.
Width of trail spread
Length of bore 18 ft., 2 ins.
No. of grooves 36
Width of grooves .23 in.
Depth of grooves .05 in.
Width of lands .13 ins.
Muzzle velocity (H.E. shell) 2,887 f.s.
Max. range (horizontal) 19,355 yds.
Max. range (vertical) 13,914 yds.
Rate of fire 12-15 r.p.m.
Traverse 360°
Elevation +85°
Depression -3°
Length of recoil (H.E.) 31 3/8 ins.
Ammunition H.E. and A.P.
Wt. of projectile (H.E.) 33.2 lb

German: p. 109