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Pz. Kpfw. IV (3.7 cm Flak 43): Self-Propelled Antiaircraft Gun

This equipment consists of the standard Pz. Kpfw. IV chassis adapted to mount the 3.7 cm Flak 43. It is essentially an antiaircraft weapon, although the gun may be depressed for use against ground targets. The superstructure is especially designed for the second purpose. The side and rear walls of the structure are two spaced […]

Pz. Kpfw. IV (3.7 cm Flak 43): Self-Propelled Antiaircraft Gun

This equipment consists of the standard Pz. Kpfw. IV chassis adapted to mount the 3.7 cm Flak 43. It is essentially an antiaircraft weapon, although the gun may be depressed for use against ground targets.

The superstructure is especially designed for the second purpose. The side and rear walls of the structure are two spaced 15 mm armor plates nine feet long, eight feet, eight inches wide, and four feet high. The sides can be pushed outwards and downwards to a horizontal position to permit fire against ground targets or to extend the area of the loading platform.

The 3.7 cm Flak 43, which has a 360° traverse and 90° elevation, is centrally mounted on a pedestal. It is hung from a single trunnion on the right through which passes the feed and ejection aperture. The monobloc barrel is fitted with a combination muzzle brake and flash hider. Both elevating and traversing handwheels are located to the right of the gun. A hydromatic-spring buffer with variable recoil is situated below the barrel, and two return springs lie side by side above the barrel. A tri-sectional gun shield sloped at 30° to the vertical is provided. The center section is 9 mm thick and two side sections each 6 mm thick. The height of the shield, measured up the slope, is four feet, 3 1/2 inches. The gun is fed horizontally from the left by clips of eight rounds each which are placed on a fixed loading tray.

The muzzle velocity of the 3.7 cm Flak 43 is reported as 2,750 f/s, and its theoretical rate of fire 250 rounds per minute. The ammunition issue laid down per equipment is reported as 1,600 rounds, 1,280 high explosive and 320 armor piercing.

An official German document states that the standard sight for this gun will be the Schwebedornvisier.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight       26 tons (est.)
Length 19 ft., 4 ins.
Width 9 ft., 7 ins.
Height
Ground clearance 15 ins.
Tread centers 7 ft., 11 ins.
Ground contact 11 ft., 6 ins.
Width of track 15 ins.
Pitch of track 4 3/4 ins.
Track links 98
Fording depth 3 ft.
Theoretical radius of action
   Roads 130 miles
   Cross-country 80 miles
Speed
   Roads 25 m.p.h.
   Cross-country 15 m.p.h.
Armor
   Front plate 50 mm
   Sides 30 mm
Armament 3.7 cm Flak 43
Ammunition (Rds.) 1,600
Engine Maybach HL 120 TRM, 320 hp.
Transmission Synchromesh—6 speeds forward, 1 reverse.
Steering Epicyclic, clutch brake
Crew 7

German: p. 32.2 (April 1, 1945)