7.5 cm kanon PL vz. 37

7.5 cm kanon PL vz. 37
Type Anti-aircraft gun
Place of origin Czechoslovakia
Service history
In service 1937-1950?
Used by  Czechoslovakia
 Nazi Germany
 Kingdom of Italy
 Finland
Wars World War II
Production history
Designer Škoda Works
Manufacturer Škoda Works
Produced 1937-39?
Specifications
Weight 2,800 kilograms (6,200 lb)
Barrel length 3.65 metres (10 ft) L/48.7

Shell weight 5.5 kilograms (12 lb) (HE)
Caliber 75 millimetres (3.0 in)
Breech semi-automatic vertical sliding block
Recoil hydro-pneumatic
Carriage cruciform
Elevation 0° to +85°
Traverse 360°
Rate of fire 10-15 rpm
Muzzle velocity 750–775 metres per second (2,460–2,540 ft/s)
Effective firing range 4,000–6,000 m (13,000–20,000 ft) slant range
Maximum firing range 9,200 metres (30,200 ft) vertical ceiling
Filling weight 640 grams (23 oz)

The 7.5 cm kanon PL vz. 37 (Anti-aircraft Gun Model 37) was a Czech anti-aircraft gun used in the Second World War. Those weapons captured after the German occupation of Czechoslovakia in March 1939 were taken into Wehrmacht service as the 7.5 cm Flak M 37(t) or Flak Skoda. The Germans sold many of them to Italy where they were designated as the Cannone da 75/49 or 75/50. Surviving guns were taken back into German service after Italy's surrender in 1943. 20 were sold to the Finns in November 1940.[1] Twelve were in Luftwaffe service between April and September 1944.[2]

Description

The gun had a semi-automatic, vertical sliding block breech that automatically ejected the cartridge case after firing, but had to be hand-loaded for the next shot. It had a standard hydro-pneumatic recoil system and a muzzle brake. It could fire a 6.5 kilograms (14 lb) armor-piercing shell for direct fire. It was intended for motor towing as it rode on a two-axle carriage with pneumatic wheels, but could be towed by horses if necessary. The side legs of the cruciform mount folded for transport.[1]

Notes

  1. 1 2 "ANTIAIRCRAFT GUNS PART 3: Heavy Guns". 23 September 2007. Archived from the original on 16 April 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  2. Gander and Chamberlain, p. 153

References

External links

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