TYPE: Self Propelled Anti Air/Infantry Fighting Vehicle
LVK: Luftvernmaskinkanon
ARMAMENT
Spoiler
- 1x 40mm L/60 M/37 Luftvernmaskinkanon
TECHNICAL DATA
-Ammunition stowage: Not sure, but usually stored in cabin and on the flatbed below the cabin
-Mechanism: Vertical wedge mechanism
-Barrel length: 60 cal (Excl. silencer: 2250 mm Incl. silencer: 2500 mm)
-Number of rifles: 16
-Rifle pitch: Progressive 1/45-1/30
-Barrel weight: 103 kg
-Mechanism weight: 62 kg
-Total length: Mod I: 6250 mm, Mod 2: 6500 mm
-Min. elevation: 5 degrees
-Max. elevation: 90 degrees
-Direction: +/-180 degrees
-Total weight: Mod I: 1980 kg
-Projectile weight: approx. 1 kg
-Velocity: 850 m/s
-Max. range: Vertical: 8000 m, Horizontal: 11500 m
-RPM: 120 rounds per minute
-Type: Anti-aircraft machine gun
-Manufacturer: Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk
-Designer: Bofors
-Used in: Anti-aircraft Regiment
-Model: L/60 M/37
-Caliber: 40 mm/ 40x311R
-Production period: 1937-
TECHNICAL DATA
Engine: 216ci Chevrolet Stovebolt in line 6 cyl
Eigne power: 85 Horsepowers
Transmission Type: 3 Speed Manual
Wheels: 17"
Dimensions: Unknown
Payload: 1 1/2 ton
Make: Chevrolet
HISTORY
Spoiler
In October 1939, an air defense was established at Rjukan, where they had at their disposal 3 stationary anti-aircraft batteries, two 40mm L/60 guns and 7 anti-aircraft machine gun troops. Early in the morning of 9 April 1940, they received reports of the fighting that took place in the Oslofjord, and they were ordered to be on alert. At around 05:00, a report came that a German bomber was heading up the valley they were in, and one of the machine gun troops that was closest was told that they could fire on the plane if it came within range, which they did, they hit it too but it just kept going. Later, they were ordered not to fire on planes that clearly intended to just pass.
On April 17, they received orders from the army high command that the forces at Rjukan should join the other forces in Numedal and Hallingdal as soon as possible, to protect the “Bergensbanen” railway. There was one motorized battery, with a total of 12 vehicles, which was sent to Jondalen on the night of April 21, but unfortunately only 3 guns were ready for transport, so the remaining 3 were left at Rjukan. The equipment arrived at Rødberg in Numedal on April 21 and the guns went into position there as part of the Dagaligruppen. The force that was to march over the mountain was ready on April 21, but on the same day the high command gave the order that Rjukan should still be defended, and with all the means at their disposal. They then had machine guns and guns prepared and in place, and at least one truck had a 40mm gun mounted on the truck bed, as can be seen in the picture above. In an attempt to prevent the overwhelming German forces from advancing towards Rjukan, the newly established machine gun companies, supported by a 40mm cannon mounted on a truck, fought against the Germans at Hovinheia, these battles did not subside until May 2. After the fighting subsided, the soldiers were ordered to dismantle equipment, weapons and cannons and hide them, while at the same time dressing in civilian clothes.
The cannon is an Luftvernmaskinkanon Model 37 that was bought from Sweden, it fires 40x311R ammunition wich was produced and delivered from the Norwegian ammunition factory “Raufoss Ammunisjonsfabrikker”. The Ministry of Defense entered into a licensing agreement with the Swedish Bofors for the licensed production of the Bofors gun in 1937, in which they were to purchase a pair of guns and license-produce 40 pieces with the option of 40 more at half the license price. The 40mm ammunition was expensive and scare, thus for exersises and training they mounted a Norwegian Heavy Machinegun, a Modified Colt M/29 chambered in 7.92x61mm onto the barrel of the cannon, as this was cheaper. The machinegun was watercooled as well. I can see this in the image, but the brackets for mounting this cannon is still present on the barrel. Can be seen in the image under.
The crew consisted of 1 solider that controlled the elevation of the cannon and aimed it, 1 solider controlled the traverse of the cannon, 1 soilder fed the cannon with ammunition clips and someone to provide this soilder with ammunition and a driver/commander of the vehicle.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
Spoiler
After thoroughly examining this picture and comparing it to other similar Chevrolet trucks used by Norway in this timeframe and discussing with some people on a different forum, I’ve came to the conclusion that this is an 1936 Chevrolet FB 1 1/2 Ton Truck (One and a half ton truck). This looks like an flatbed verison, as pictured below here, that has had the Bulkhead “modified” for an unknown purpose (Its hard to say as we don’t know its background history).
IN GAME
Spoiler
The ammunition stowage and type is not very certain, but its mentioned to be firing HE shells, so it would definetly do good as an anti air vehicle, and against light armored vehicles and open tops. it got great mobility of the cannon and vehicle, and could be a strong contendant somewhere between 2.0-3.0 at rank 1-2 as an anti air vehicle.
SOURCES
Spoiler
History and image
Nasjonalbiblioteket
Nasjonalbiblioteket
Redirecting...
Luftvernmaskinkanon - L/60 M/37 - Vertikal kilemekanisme
Vehicle specs
https://xr793.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1936-Chevrolet-Truck.pdf
All the luck in the world — The Miller Times
https://www.classicautomall.com/vehicles/6972/1936-chevrolet-fb-1-2-ton-pickup
- Yes
- No