M1939
61-K, China: Type 55
Overview
M1939
Soviet 37mm M1939 towed anti-aircraft gun on display in a museum in Saint Petersburg.
Source: One half 3544 -
© Public domain
China
52-P-167 (GRAU index)
Type 55 (Chinese production)
3.7 cm Flak 39(r) (Nazi Beutewaffen index)
37mm armata wz. 39 (Polish service)
Description
Introduction
The M1939 is a World War 2 era anti-aircraft gun of Soviet origin. It was developed in the late 1930's and was extensively used in World War 2 and the early Cold War era. A direct copy was produced in China as the Type 55.
Design
The M1939 uses a four wheel carriage with two outriggers and four jacks. The 37mm autocannon is mounted on a turntable. It is fed by 5 round clips. A gun shield is sometimes present. The M1939 is a stand-alone weapon that is aimed using gun sights on the mount.
Firepower
The M1939 has a cyclic rate of fire of over 150 rpm. Since it is manually loaded using 5 round clips practical rate of fire is about 80 rpm. Anti-aircraft ceiling is 4 km and the practical range against surface targets is 5 km. The gun is issued with 200 rounds of ammunition.
Mobility
The M1939 is based on the ZU-7 four wheel twin axle carriage. This is normally towed by a 6x6 truck, which also carries the ammunition and crew. Maximum towed speed on paved road is 60 km/h. In the firing position a stable and level platform is created using the two outriggers and four jacks.
Users
The M1939 was extensively used by Soviet forces during World War 2. A total of 14.657 Axis aircraft are reported to be shot down using the M1939. The M1939 was widely exported to Soviet allies and used into the late Cold War era. In Soviet service it was replaced by the longer range 57mm S-60. The M1939 is produced under license in China, Poland and North Korea. Improved Chinese models remain in production today.
Details
Media
M1939
Soviet 37mm M1939 with ordnance at maximum elevation on display in a museum in Israel.
Source: Bukvoed
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
M1939
Soviet 37mm M1939 towed anti-aircraft gun on display in a museum.
Source: Lvova Anastasiya
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
M1939
Soviet 37mm M1939 towed anti-aircraft gun on display in a museum in Saint Petersburg.
Source: George Shuklin
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
M1939
37mm M1939 or Type 55 towed anti-aircraft gun with gun shield on display in a museum in Vietnam.
Source: Binh Giang
Copyright: Public domain
M1939
37mm M1939 towed anti-aircraft gun on display in a museum in Poland.
Source: Kerim44
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
M1939
37mm M1939 towed anti-aircraft gun with gun shield on display in a museum in the United States.
Source: Mark Pellegrini
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
Related articles
37mm 70-K
The 70-K is a naval mount which is nearly identical to the M1939. This air-cooled navy mount proved cheap and easy to install, but lacked sustained fire power.
S-60
In Soviet service the M1939 was replaced by the more capable 57mm S-60 towed anti-aircraft gun.
Type 65
Chinese twin barrel variant of the M1939. This saw widespread service with communist nations during the Cold War era.