7.5 cm kanon PL vz. 37

The 7.5 cm kanon PL vz. 37 (Anti-aircraft Gun Model 37) was a Czech anti-aircraft gun used in World War II. 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. Twenty were sold to the Finns in November 1940.[2] Twelve were in Luftwaffe service between April and September 1944.[3]

7.5 cm kanon PL vz. 37
TypeAnti-aircraft gun
Place of originCzechoslovakia
Service history
In service1937–1950?
Used by Czechoslovakia
 Nazi Germany
 Kingdom of Italy
 Finland
WarsWorld War II
Production history
DesignerŠkoda Works
ManufacturerŠkoda Works
Produced1937–39?
Specifications
Mass2,800 kilograms (6,200 lb)
Barrel length3.65 metres (10 ft) L/48.7
Shell75 x 656mm R[1]
Shell weight6.5 kilograms (14 lb) (HE)
Caliber75 millimetres (3.0 in)
Breechsemi-automatic vertical sliding-block
RecoilHydro-pneumatic
CarriageCruciform
Elevation0° to +85°
Traverse360°
Rate of fire10–15 rpm
Muzzle velocity750–775 metres per second (2,460–2,540 ft/s)
Effective firing range4,000–6,000 m (13,000–20,000 ft) slant range
Maximum firing range9,200 metres (30,200 ft) vertical ceiling
Filling weight640 grams (23 oz)

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.[2]

Notes
  1. "75–77 MM CALIBRE CARTRIDGES". www.quarryhs.co.uk. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  2. "ANTIAIRCRAFT GUNS PART 3: Heavy Guns". 23 September 2007. Archived from the original on 16 April 2009. Retrieved 22 May 2009.
  3. Gander and Chamberlain, p. 153

References
  • Gander, Terry and Chamberlain, Peter. Weapons of the Third Reich: An Encyclopedic Survey of All Small Arms, Artillery and Special Weapons of the German Land Forces 1939–1945. New York: Doubleday, 1979 ISBN 0-385-15090-3
  • Kliment, Charles K. and Nakládal, Bretislav. Germany's First Ally: Armed Forces of the Slovak State 1939–1945. Atglen, PA: Schiffer, 1997 ISBN 0-7643-0589-1
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