- Yes
- No
Luftvärnskanonvagn fm/43
Short summarized background history:
The AB landsverk recived a task back in mid 1942, by KAFT (Kungliga Arméförvaltningens Tygavdelning) to produce a protype for a Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun with a 20mm Akan m/40 as it’s main armament. The reason to this was because If Sweden ever went to war, they will not be able to count on the air supremacy of their airforce. In the event of a conflict ever arises. KAFT originally ordered 42 SPAAG’s with the designation of “Lvstrv m/42”, (aka. Luftvärnsstridsvagn m/42, which was the predecessor for the Lvkv fm/43) which would’ve been divided among the tank battalions of the Swedish armed forces. During it’s prototype phase during 1942-1943, the “Lvstrv m/42” had three different variants which showed potential: The First prototype (which were a mere minature mockup (See Image below) was armed 3x20mm akan m/40 cannons and had 2x9mm machineguns as a self defence armament against infantry. The Second prototype replaced the 20mm cannons and the 9mm machineguns with a single 40mm Bofors Lvakan m/36. Both of these prototypes used the L-60 as the hull for the Self-Propelled anti-aircraft gun (Strv m/40K). The Third prototype however, used the L-62 Anti as it’s hull for the Self-Propelled anti-aircraft gun. While having a changed hull, it also carried 2x40mm Bofors Lvakan m/36 instead of a single 40mm Bofors cannon.
However, during the tests which occured at Bofors back in 1942. KAFT realized (with translation to make sense of it): “The “5-year plan” which would’ve originally provided 42 units of the 20mm peices. After experiments at Bofors in 1942, it has been established that this construction was not appropriate. After a thorough investigation and consultation of all interested parties, KAFT has proposed to the commander of the army to decide, whereby he has determined that the largest possible number should be procured within the cost framework.”
The results from the various tests between 1942-1943 concluded with a order from KAFT. In which 17 units of the Lvstrv m/42 Self-Propelled anti-aircraft gun, armed with 2x40mm Bofors Lvakan m/36 and a modified L-62 Anti hull. Were to be delivered to the Swedish armed forces before the end of 1944. Also during the production phase of the vehicle, the designation of the SPAAG was changed to the name of: Luftvärnskanonvagn fm/43. However this became a very optimistic plan, because none of the Lvkv fm/43 which KAFT ordered were completed by the end of 1944.
Trouble continued to arise for Landsverk into 1945 and 1946 with delivery issues from parts such as gear boxes to shortages of workers and metals to construct the hull for the SPAAG: “On december 14th, Landsverk requested additional extension of the delivery time, struggled with delivery difficulties in 1946 and did not expect to be able to deliver the first chassis for testing until July 1946, partly due to a delay in delivery of gearboxes.”, “On June 17th, 194. AB Landsverk announced that it could not deliver any Lvkv until September 1946 due to the metal conflict delaying the delivery by additional 5-12 months and that it was also not possible to get hold of any workers.”.
Minature mockup of the first mentioned prototype of the Lvstrv m/42.
Source: https://www.artlvklubben.se/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Artilleri-Tidskrift_2005-3.pdf
Image source credit: @blockhaj
After several years of blunder in the construction of the Lvkv fm/43, the first produced SPAAG’s were delivered to the armed forces in early 1948. However, it would take additional year to deliver all of the Lvkv fm/43’s to the armed forces (hence the version name 1949). While being extremely delayed for delivery and manufacturing of the SPAAG. More problems arose during it’s service time in the Swedish armed forces. The SPAAG suffered with reliablility issues: from stearing issues caused by increasing the overall length of the SPAAG without increasing the width, overweight and a underperforming engine. The following are quotes from Ointres translated:
“Once the Spaags were delivered to the Swedish armed forces, it was clear early on that Lvkv fm/43 had major problems. On the one hand, the wheels were too narrow in relation to the significantly higher weight that the SPAAG had in comparison with Strv m/40K. These cut into the ground and caused wheel heeling or jamming due to the high wheel pressure. All vehicles had wider bands (the vehicles that remained to be delivered in 1948 received the newer tires from the beginning). An asymmetrical tire where the width has been increased on the outer side. Furthermore, the 7 tons heavier weight showed that the vehicle was underpowered. The Scania engine of 160 hp was simply too weak to provide acceptable propulsion and speed (36 km/h) and a decision was made to later replace these with more powerful engines. The vehicle also proved to be difficult to steer. The reason for this was that the chassis was extended without increasing the width, which resulted in a poorer ratio between length and width from a maneuverability perspective.”
“Lvkv fm/43 was added to the armored brigades to function as a splinter-protected air defense that could advance together with the tanks. In PB org 43, the wagons were placed in two anti-aircraft platoons with three wagons each. They were divided so that each tank battalion received one platoon each (however, one brigade received only five tanks, the other six). When PB org 49 was organized, the number of brigades doubled and instead three Lvkv fm / 43 were grouped in the special company’s band air defense platoon (one brigade received only two wagons).”
“The number of Lvkv fm/43 was definitely too small to protect an entire brigade. There were plans from 1949 to eventually replace them and introduce up to 275 new anti-aircraft gun vehicles. Prototypes for this were developed but failed attempts and changed financial framework meant that this series was never realized. Instead, the planned modifications were carried out on Lvkv fm/43 during 1950-51. The Scania engines were replaced by an almost twice as powerful engine from Maybach, which increased the maximum speed to 55 km/h. The tower was expanded with an armor box at the back to provide space for mounting a radio (Ra 400). The spare carrying wheel was affixed to the box as well. In other respects, a large number of minor changes were made, but despite these, the carriage was never really good. The complaints continued and Lvkv fm/43 never grew out of it’s mechanical problems. In addition, the SPAAG became quickly outdated. As it was not possible to fight against aircraft in bad weather, because it was only equipped with optical aiming devices. In connection with the armored brigades being reorganized according to org 63, Lvkv fm/43 was also taken out of service and were discarded in 1969, with no replacement vehicles being produced.”
Source: Luftvärnskanonvagn fm/43 , https://arsenalen.se/katalog/luftvarnskanonvagn-fm-43/
Photos of the Lvkv fm/43:
Specifications:
| Lvkv fm/43 (1949) | Lvkv fm/43 (1957) | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 15,9 ton | 17 ton |
| Length: | 5.790 mm | 5.790 mm (5.925 mm With guns facing forward) |
| Width: | 2.310 mm | 2.446 mm |
| Height: | 2.265 mm | 2.530 mm |
| Clearance height: | 350 mm | 350 mm |
| Crew: | 4 Crew members | 4 Crew members |
| Armor: | 9 – 15 mm | 9 – 15 mm |
| Engine: | Scania-Vabis typ L 603/3 162 hp | Maybach HL 120 TRM 290 hp |
| Gearbox: | Volvo typ VL-220 (manual gearbox) 5 + 1 gears / switches | Volvo typ VL-220 (manual gearbox) 5 + 1 gears / switches |
| Max Speed: | 36 km/h | 55 km/h |
| Armament: | 2x Bofors 40 mm lvakan m/36-43 | 2x Bofors 40 mm lvakan m/36-43 |
| Turret rotation: | 51.42 degrees per second / “360 degrees rotation in 7 seconds” | 51.42 degrees per second / “360 degrees rotation in 7 seconds” |
| Ammo Capacity: | 326 rounds | 326 rounds |
| Fire rate: | 120 Rounds Per Minute | 120 Rounds Per Minute |
| Number in service: | 17 | 17 (converted from the Lvkv fm/43 (1949)) |
Sources: https://www.artlvklubben.se/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Artilleri-Tidskrift_2005-3.pdf, Luftvärnskanonvagn fm/43, https://arsenalen.se/katalog/luftvarnskanonvagn-fm-43/, @blockhaj (for the additional information of the Lvstrv m/42)