3.7 cm Flak M42
The 3.7 cm Flak M42 was the marine version of the 3.7-centimetre (1.5 in) Flak 36/37 and used by the Kriegsmarine on surface ships and as the M42U on Type VII and Type IX U-boats. The 3.7 cm Flak M42U used several types of mounts and entered service in autumn 1943.[2]
| 3.7 cm/69 Flak M42[1] | |
|---|---|
 A single 3.7 cm Flak M42U gun on the LM 42U mount. | |
| Type | Anti-aircraft gun |
| Place of origin | Nazi Germany |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1943–1945 |
| Used by | Kriegsmarine |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1942 |
| Manufacturer | Rheinmetal-Borsig |
| Produced | 1943–1945 |
| Specifications (3.7 cm Flak M42) | |
| Mass | 109 kg (240 lb) |
| Barrel length | 2.56 cm (1.01 in) bore (69 calibers) |
| Crew | 3–4 |
| Shell | 37 × 249R |
| Shell weight | 635–700 g (1.400–1.543 lb) |
| Caliber | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Action | Recoil-operated |
| Breech | sliding breech block |
| Elevation | -10° to +90° |
| Traverse | 360° |
| Rate of fire | 250 rounds per minute (cyclic) |
| Muzzle velocity | 815–865 m/s (2,670–2,840 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range |
|
| Feed system | 5-round clips |
3.7 cm Flak M42
The 3.7 cm Flak M42 was a longer caliber version of the Wehrmacht's 3.7 cm Flak 36, 69 caliber as opposed to 57 caliber. It replaced the older 3.7 cm SK C/30 that had been designed in 1930. The gun was loaded with a five-round ammunition clip, giving it a rate of fire of 250 rounds per minute, unlike the SK C/30 which was single-shot with a rate of 30 rounds per minute. The M42 was also about 134 kg (295 lb) lighter than the SK C/30 and had gun shields.[1][3]
LM 42U Mount
The LM 42U mount was developed specifically for the 3.7 cm Flak M42U. It was manned by a 3-man crew, with a fourth man operating as the loader.[4]
DLM 42U Mount
The twin mount was based on the LM 42U design, in which the 3.7 cm Flak M42U guns were mounted side by side.
Gallery
3.7 cm Flak M42U used on U-boats.- A single 3.7 cm Flak M42U gun on the LM 42U mount.
A single 3.7 cm Flak M42U gun on the LM 43U mount.
Twin 3.7 cm Flak M42U guns on the DLM 42U mount.
References
- DiGiulian 2016.
- Skwiot, p. 333
- DiGiulian 2017.
- Skwiot, p. 340
Bibliography
- Campbell, John (1985). Naval Weapons of World War II. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-459-4.
- DiGiulian, Tony (30 November 2016). "Germany 3.7 cm/69 (1.5") Flak M42". NavWeaps. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
- DiGiulian, Tony (30 April 2017). "Germany 3.7 cm/83 SK C/30". NavWeaps. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
- Skwiot, Miroslaw (2011). German Naval Guns 1939–1945. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-59114-311-6.
- Williams, Tony G. (2000). Rapid Fire: The Development of Automatic Cannon, Heavy Machine Guns and Their Ammunition for Armies, Navies and Air Forces. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-84037-122-6.