The 8 cm kanon PL vz. 37 (Anti-aircraft Gun Model 37) was a Czech anti-aircraft gun used during the Second World War. Those weapons captured after the German occupation of Czechoslovakia in March 1939 were taken into Wehrmacht service as the 7.65 cm Flak M 37(t). 97 were in service during the Munich Crisis in September 1938 of which Slovakia seized one when it declared independence six months later.[2]

8 cm kanon PL vz. 37
TypeAnti-aircraft gun
Place of originCzechoslovakia
Service history
In service1937-1945
Used byCzechoslovakia
Nazi Germany
WarsWorld War II
Production history
DesignerŠkoda Works
ManufacturerŠkoda Works
Produced1937-39?
Specifications
Mass3,800 kilograms (8,400 lb)
Barrel length4.04 metres (13 ft 3 in) L/52.8

Shell76.5 x 723mm R, rim dia.100mm[1]
Shell weight8 kilograms (18 lb)
Caliber76.5 millimetres (3.01 in)
Carriagecruciform
Elevation0° to +85°
Traverse360°
Rate of fire10-15 rpm
Muzzle velocity800 metres per second (2,600 ft/s)
Maximum firing range11,470 metres (37,630 ft) vertical ceiling

Notes edit

  1. ^ "77-77 MM CALIBRE CARTRIDGES". quarryhs.co.uk. Archived from the original on 17 January 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  2. ^ "Statistické údaje výzbroje Čs. armády v roce 1938". 24 March 2005. Retrieved 23 May 2009.

References edit

  • 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

External links edit