Ford Model G917T 1939 - Danish truck armed with a 20mm Madsen autocannon

Til_Dovre_Faller · January 26, 2025, 2:28pm

FORD MODEL G917T 1939

TYPE: Self Propelled Anti Air Vehicle

ARMAMENT

Spoiler

1x 20mm Madsen Anti Air Machine Cannon M/38
-Ammunition stowage: 450 rounds of ammunition were carried on the truck, various types
-Mass: 55 kilograms
-Length: 2.5 m
-Barrel length: 1.2m L/60
-Cartridge: 20 x 120 mm
-Cartridge weight: .29 kg AP.32 kgHE
-Caliber: 20 mm
-Barrels: air-cooled
-Action: recoil-operated
-Rate of fire: 400 rpm (cyclic) 250 rpm (practical)
-Muzzle velocity: 900 m/s
-Effective firing range: 500m
-Maximum firing range: 2,123 m
-Feed system: 10, 15 or 60 round magazines

AMMUNITION (there are more, but these are the ones i could see)

Pansergranatpatron 20mm M.K.M1938

TECHNICAL DATA
Engine: Ford V8-3,9 liter 91-95 HP gasoline
Engine disp: 80.95mm x 95.25mm - 3922 cm3
Brakes: Oil hydraulic brakes in all wheels
Transmission: manual - 4 foward + 1 reverse
Lisenceplate: 14 -042

HISTORY
Ford V8’s were supplied to the 2nd & 7th Artillery Divisions during 1937-38. As I understand it, there was 1 older Ford BB V8 model and two newer Forv V8 BB 1939 models, I have also found a Ford model AA truck that has a 20mm Madsen mounted on it as well. This proposal here deals with the newest 1939 model Ford BB G917 3t. This truck features an V8 eigne wich produced 91 horsepowers and were produced until 1942. Around 1935 the Ford AG had started producing some products that was suited for use in the German market, and the first “german” models of these were named Ford BB wich were available in 1.5 and 2.5 ton variants, those featured the old and robust 4 cyl eigne with 51 hp from the old model T trucks. This truck was then folloowed by a new truck, featuring the Commercial V8-51 eigne from 1936 and wich was more robust and produced 85hp, and kept the typical transverse leaf springs of Ford, in the front axle. To my understanding, the single truck wich has the experimental camouflage as my sources say it was, is of this model. with the two others being of the new Ford G917 3 ton model with an v8 engine that gave 91 horsepower, this was also introduced after the factory changed its name to Ford Werke AG

This Ford V8 G917T Model 1939 was subordinate to the 2nd & 7th Artillery Divisions of the Danish Armed Forces. I am not sure of its further history as there is little documentation from the wartime. it was delivered to the Danish army around late 1939 - 1940 and were then armed with a 20mm Madsen M/38 autocannon on the flatbed, three vehicles of this model were armed with cannons. It carried ca 450 rounds of ammunition wich were carried on the truck besides the spare wheels and it was various types, as seen in the image below we can see armor piercing rounds. The vehicle needs at least 2 crewmembers to operate, being a shooter and driver, but i beileve it ideally needs a Shooter, Loader/ammunition bringer and driver/commander.

IN GAME
This would be a great and unique vehicle in an anti aircraft role of either a subtree or an independent Danish/Norwegian techtree. Its fast, with a powerful cannon with 450 round of various ammunition witht he ability to fight armor and aircrafts.

SEEN FROM BEHIND