Tag: flak

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German

5 cm Flak 41: Antiaircraft Gun

5 cm Flak 41: Antiaircraft Gun

This gas-operated, automatic, antiaircraft gun is transported on two-wheeled transporters. To put the gun into action, the platform is lowered from the transporters by means of winding gear. The two transverse legs are lowered and the platform is roughly leveled with jacks. The final leveling is done with leveling screws in the base ring of the mounting. The barrel is removable for easy replacement in the field. The right hand twist of the rifling increases from one in 36 1/2 to one in 30 calibers.

The breech mechanism is similar to that of the 3.7 cm Flak 43. It differs in that the breech block drops into the closed position from the open position. The dropping of the block allows buttress guides on the block to engage with similar guides on the jacket. This locks the block in the firing position and prevents any rearward movement. The feed mechanism is operated by the recoil of the breech casing. The recuperator consists of two spiral springs which are mounted side by side in the cradle. The buffer is mounted centrally in the cradle.

The traversing gear and the sight are on the right hand side of the mounting. The sight bracket is connected by means of a parallel motion link to a cross shaft. Here it is keyed to a pointer on the elevation scale. The gun elevating gear is on the left side of the mounting. This is also connected to a pointer on the elevation scale. The layer keeps the two pointers in line and the gun is laid at the same angle of elevation as the sight.

SPECIFICATIONS

Caliber       5 cm (1.97 ins.)
Weight (traveling position) 7.18 tons
Weight (firing position) 4.30 tons
Length (traveling position) 27 ft., 5.5 ins.
Length (firing position) 19 ft., 10 ins.
Height (traveling position) 7 ft., 1 in.
Height (firing position) 7 ft., 4 ins.
Width (overall-traveling) 7 ft., 10 ins.
Width of trail spread
Length of gun (incl. muzzle brake) 184.5 ins.
Length of gun (excl. muzzle brake) 170.8 ins.
Length of rifling 117.28 ins.
No. of grooves 20
Width of grooves 0.160 in.
Depth of grooves 0.020 in.
Width of lands
Muzzle velocity (H.E. shell) 2,756 f/s
Firing mechanism protrusion 0.1 in.
Max. range (horizontal), APCBC 11,300 yds.
Max. range (vertical), APCBC 8,600 yds.
Effective ceiling 10,000 ft.
Rate of fire 130 r.p.m.
Traverse 360°
Elevation 90°
Depression -10°
Length of recoil 7 ins. (approx.)
Ammunition H.E. 41/tracer; Incendiary/H.E. 41/tracer; A.P.C.B.C. 42
Wt. of projectile H.E.—4.8 lbs.
  A.P.—4.87 lbs.
Tracer burn out point Short (8 sec.) 2,740-3,750 yds.
  Long (18 sec.) 5,400-6,120 yds.

German: p. 125 (June 1, 1945)

Categories
German

12.8 cm Flak 40: Heavy Antiaircraft Gun

12.8 cm Flak 40: Heavy Antiaircraft Gun

This weapon, together with the 8.8 cm Flak 41, is Germany’s standard heavy antiaircraft gun. There are four different type mounts used with the gun: mobile, static, railway, and a twin mounting. When used with the latter, the equipment is known as the 12.8 cm Flakzwilling.

In construction and appearance this weapon resembles the 10.5 cm antiaircraft gun described on page 109. The barrel consists of a three-piece tube with jacket and sleeve. The breech mechanism is of the horizontal sliding block type, and an electric firing device is used. A hydropneumatic recuperator is located above the barrel, and a hydraulic buffer below.

Elevating and traversing may be operated either by power or by handwheels; are located on the right side of the equipment with the layers seated facing the gun. A machine fuze setting gear and loading and ramming gear identical with those of the 10.5 cm Flak are used.

The static mounting is a pedestal type secured to a concrete base. The cradle pivots in trunnions mounted at the extreme rear of the upper carriage, and almost in line with the breechblock. A large box-like construction, located underneath the buffer and forward of the elevating arc, contains the oil motors. The equilibrators extend from an anchoring just forward of the trunnions to the forward edge of the casing containing the oil motors.

The gun being extremely high off the ground, platforms for the gun crew are provided. The gun is fitted to receive firing data by remote control transmission. A normal panoramic sight is provided as well as an antitank sight.

SPECIFICATIONS

Caliber       12.8 cm (5.04 ins.)
Weight (static mount) 28,600 lbs.
Weight (traveling position) 59,400 lbs.
       Mobile mount
Weight (firing position) 37,400 lbs.
       Mobile mount
Length (traveling position) 49 ft.
       overall
Length (firing position) 29 ft.
       overall
Height (traveling position)
Height (firing position)
Height of trunnions (firing position) 7 5/8 ft.
Width (overall)
Length of piece 308.5 ins. (61 calibers)
Length of rifling 255.13 ins.
Twist of rifling (increasing) 3° 20′ to 5° 30′
No. of grooves 40
Width of grooves (forward section) 0.26 in.
       (center section) 0.25 in.
Depth of grooves 0.06 in.
Width of lands (forward section) 0.13 in.
       (center section) 0.14 in.
Muzzle velocity (H.E. shell) 2,886 f/s
Max. range (horizontal) 20,950 meters (22,910 yds.)
Max. ceiling at 85° 14,800 meters (48,555 ft.)
Rate of fire 12 r.p.m.
Traverse 360°
Elevation 88°
Depression -3°
Length of recoil from 36 to 51 ins.
Ammunition A.P.C., H.E.
Wt. of complete round (approx.) 106 lbs.
Wt. of H.E. projectile (12.8 cm Sprgr. Patr. I. 4.5) 57 lbs.
Wt. of A.P.H.E. projectile (12.8 cm Pzgr. Patr.) 58.13 lbs.

German: p. 106.1 (August 1, 1945)

Categories
German

Pz. Kpfw. IV für 2 cm Flakvierling 38: Antiaircraft Gun on Medium Tank Chassis

Pz. Kpfw. IV für 2 cm Flakvierling 38: Antiaircraft Gun on Medium Tank Chassis

This equipment consists of the four-barrelled 2 cm (.79 in.) antiaircraft gun mounted on the Pz. Kpfw. IV chassis. The gun has been mounted in an open topped, nine-sided turret. Elevation is from 10° to 90° and traverse is 360°.

The gun is the normal 2 cm Flakvierling 38 with the triangular base removed. Two guns are mounted on either side of the cradle. The guns are fired by a set of foot pedals; each pedal operates the trigger mechanism of the two diametrically opposite guns. The weapon is traversed and elevated manually by the gunner who also aims and fires it.

The 2 cm Flakvierling 38 is supported by two four-inch I-beams which are located 15 inches below the normal tank turret ring. The I-beams are in the center below the turret opening and extend across the width of the tank chassis.

There is no traversing rack on the turret ring. A rod from the gun upper carriage supports the gunner’s seat and is fastened by a U-bolt to the turret to form a connection between the gun mount and the turret armor. At the front of each side of the upper carriage is a collapsible rod which also can be fastened to the turret armor. In this manner, the gun mount and turret traverse together.

The turret is 43 inches high, 6 feet, 6 inches wide, and 8 feet long. The armor plate is 15 mm thick. Each side of the turret is composed of two plates of equal dimensions welded together. The top plates are sloped at an angle of approximately 30 degrees and the bottom plates are undercut at the same angle.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight       26 tons (estimated)
Length 19 ft., 4 ins.
Width 9 ft., 8 ins.
Height 9 ft.
Ground clearance 15 ins.
Tread centers 7 ft., 10 7/8 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 of superstructure 85 mm at 10° to vertical
   Sides of superstructure 30 mm
Armament 2 cm Flakvierling 38
Ammunition H.E. Shell, tracer; H.E.-Incendiary; A.P. shell, tracer.
Rounds 16 clips in turret (20 rds in each); 15 boxes in tank.
Engine Maybach HL 120 TRM, 320 hp.
Transmission Synchromesh—6 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Epicylic, clutch brake
Crew 5

German: p. 34.1 (August 1, 1945)

Categories
German

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

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)

Categories
German

3.7 cm Flak 43: Antiaircraft Gun

3.7 cm Flak 43: Antiaircraft Gun

The 3.7 cm Flak 43, a light, fully-automatic, gas-operated antiaircraft weapon, may be statically emplaced, transported on a mobile mounting, or mounted on a self-propelled chassis. The gun consists of a removable, monobloc barrel fitted with a muzzle brake with six elongated ports and multi-perforated flash eliminator, and a breech casing which houses the breech mechanism. The gun is fed horizontally from the left in clips of eight rounds from a fixed loading tray, and is operated by the recoil of the gun itself. A hydro-spring buffer with variable recoil is located below the barrel, and two return springs lie side by side above the barrel.

Mounting is of the pedestal type, the gun being hung from a single-ring type trunnion on the right. The feed to the gun is mounted through the ring and on the axis of the trunnion, making unnecessary any alteration in the position of the center of gravity of the gun and other elevating parts with variation in the quantity of ammunition in the clips and feed mechanism. Elevating and traversing handwheels are both on the right of the gun, the former being vertical and the latter horizontal.

The equipment, which is of low build, is fitted with a shield varying in thickness from 9 mm at the center to 6 mm at the outer edges. The shield slopes backward at a 30° angle and is 4.2 feet high. In the middle is a space through which the mantlet elevates and depresses. A twin version of the 3.7 cm Flak 43 also exists. It is known as the 3.7 cm Flakzwilling 43.

The weapon fires only the single rotating band projectiles.

SPECIFICATIONS

Caliber       37 mm (1.45 ins.)
Weight (traveling position)4,180 lbs.
Weight (firing position)2,750 lbs.
Length (traveling position)
Length (firing position)
Height (traveling position)
Height of trunnion29.9 ins.
Length of piece (excluding muzzle brake)9.68 ft.
Length of muzzle brake14.96 ins.
Length of bore7 ft.
No. of grooves20
Width of grooves
Depth of grooves
Width of lands
Muzzle velocity (HE shell)2,750 f/s
Max. range (horizontal)7,200 yds. (approx.)
Effective range (vertical)9,000 ft. (approx.)
Rate of fire (theoretical)250 rds./min.
     (practical)150 rds./min.
Traverse360°
Elevation90°
Depression-6°
Type of recoilVariable
AmmunitionAP/HE; H.E.; HE/T-HE/I/T;
HE/I and HE/I/short T

German: p. 130.2 (August 1, 1945)

Categories
German

m. Zgkw. 8t Sd. Kfz. 7 (3.7 cm Flak 36): Antiaircraft Gun on Semitrack Chassis

m. Zgkw. 8t Sd. Kfz. 7 (3.7 cm Flak 36): Antiaircraft Gun on Semitrack Chassis

The 3.7 cm Flak 36 has also been mounted on the chassis of the 8-ton medium prime mover described on page 54. Data on the weapon may be found on page 130.1.

German: p. 54.1 (April 1, 1945)

Categories
German

m. Zgkw. 8t Sd. Kfz. 7 (2 cm Flakvierling 38): A.A./A.T. Gun on Semitrack Chassis

m. Zgkw. 8t Sd. Kfz. 7 (2 cm Flakvierling 38): A.A./A.T. Gun on Semitrack Chassis

The 2 cm Flakvierling 38 has been mounted, as illustrated above, on the chassis of the 8-ton medium semitrack prime mover described on page 54. Details of the weapon and its performance may be found on page 133.

German: p. 54.1 (April 1, 1945)