4.7 cm KPÚV vz. 38
Anti-tank gun of Czechoslovak origin most widely used by the Germans during World War II
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 4.7 cm KPÚV vz. 38 (Czech: kanón proti útočné vozbě vzor 38), also known as the 4.7 cm KPÚV vz. 36 (Czech: kanón proti útočné vozbě vzor 36), is an anti-tank gun produced by the Škoda Works that saw service in World War II.
- Czechoslovakia
- Nazi Germany
- Romania
- Yugoslavia
| 4.7 cm KPÚV vz. 36 4.7 cm KPÚV vz. 38 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Type | Anti-tank gun |
| Place of origin | Czechoslovakia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1939–1945 |
| Used by |
|
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1936 |
| Manufacturer | Škoda Works |
| Produced | 1939–1940 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 590 kg (1,300 lbs) |
| Barrel length | 2.04 m (6 ft 8 in) L/43 |
| Diameter | 4.7 cm |
| Crew | 4 |
| Shell | Fixed QF 47×405 mm R |
| Shell weight | 1.6 kg (3 lb 8 oz)[1] |
| Caliber | 47 mm (1.85 in) |
| Carriage | Split trail |
| Elevation | -8° to +26° |
| Traverse | 50° |
| Muzzle velocity | 775 m/s (2,542 ft/s) |
| Maximum firing range | 4,000 m (4,375 yds) |
History
Originally designed for the Czechoslovak Army, some were also sold to Yugoslavia. A number were appropriated by the Germans after the German occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1939 and used under the names 4.7 cm PaK (t) or PaK 36(t). The Germans continued production and mounted the PaK (t) on the Panzerkampfwagen I chassis as the Panzerjäger I tank destroyer. A similar attempt to mount it on the chassis of captured Renault R-35 tanks was less successful.[2]
Design
The barrel has the unique feature of being able to swing 180° so that it lays flat over the trails for transport and the outer part of the trails can also be folded inward to reduce its size. The gun has a small gun shield and wooden-spoked wheels. Despite its dated appearance it was superior to most contemporary designs and the gun is armed with both AP rounds and HE rounds for infantry support.
Performance
| Range | Contact angle 0° |
|---|---|
| 100 m (110 yd) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| 500 m (550 yd) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| 1,000 m (1,100 yd) | 52 mm (2.0 in) |
| 1,500 m (1,600 yd) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
