M53



Overview


30mm M53

30mm M53 towed anti-aircraft gun.
Source: Alf van Beem - © Public domain

Origin
Czechoslovakia
Type
Anti-aircraft gun
Entered service
Mid 1950's
Status
Obsolete
Development
Late 1940's
Developer
Czechoslovakia
Production
1953 - 1960's
Producer
Czechoslovakia
Number produced
Several hundred
Designations
PLDvK vz. 53
Notable users
Czechoslovakia
Romania

Description


Introduction

The M53 is a towed anti-aircraft gun of Czechoslovak origin. It was developed after World War 2 and fulfills the same role as the Soviet ZU-23. The main difference is that the M53 is a larger system with more powerful armament.

Design

The M53 is based on a four wheel carriage that is supported by four jacks. The two 30mm autocannon are fitted to a turntable. The gun is operated by a single operator and two men standing next to the weapon supply the ammunition. The guns on the M53 are fed by 10 round clips.

Firepower

The armament consists of two 30mm autocannon that fire large and powerful 30x210mm HEI or API rounds. Each gun is fed by 10 round clips. It has a cyclic rate of fire of 450 to 500 rpm. The effective range is 3 km versus aerial targets and 2 km versus light armored vehicles.

Users

The M53 was acquired by Czechoslovakia and sold to several nations, mostly in eastern Europe. The M53/59 is a self-propelled variant and was exported in larger numbers.

Details


Facts M53
General
Origin
Czechoslovakia
Type
Towed anti-aircraft gun
Crew
1 on weapon, 3 loaders alongside
Dimensions
Weight
1.75 t firing position
2.1 t travelling
Length
7.59 m (travelling)
Width
1.76 m (travelling)
Height
1.58 m (travelling)
Ordnance
Type
2x 30x210mm M53 autocannon
Barrel length
2.43 m
Muzzle brake
Multi-slotted muzzle brake
Elevation
-10 to +85°, manual
Traverse
360°, manual
Firepower
Rate of fire
450 - 500 rpm cyclic (per barrel)
100 rpm practical
Range
3 km against aircraft
2 km against ground targets
9.7 km horizontal maximum
6.3 km vertical maximum
Carriage
Type
4 wheel carriage with two outriggers and two jacks
Gun shield
No
Tread
1.57 m
Ground clearance
0.3 m
Mobility
Towing vehicle
4x4 or 6x6 truck

Media


Related articles


M53/59

The armament of the M53 was also used on the M53/59 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. This version uses 50 round box magazines.

Tun antiaerian md. 80

Western Cold War sources often mix up the Romanian md 80 and Czechoslovak M53. Both systems are 30mm twin barrel autocannon on a four wheel chassis.