- Yes
- No
Vehicle History
In 1920, the plan for the “7.5 cm Automobile Anti-aircraft Gun” was submitted by the Technical Headquarters of the Imperial Japanese Army to the Minister of War. Based on this plan, in 1923, a prototype of a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, mounting the 75 mm Type 11 AA gun on a four-wheel-drive vehicle, was completed at the Osaka Arsenal. The 75 mm Type 11 AA gun, developed based on the 75 mm Type 38 field gun, was the first mass-produced anti-aircraft gun by the Imperial Japanese Army. The ammunition and shell casings for the 75 mm Type 11 AA gun were the same as those for the 75 mm Type 38 field gun.
In March 1924, firing tests were conducted, and while the performance of the anti-aircraft gun was satisfactory, several modifications were needed for the vehicle. The engine of this four-wheel-drive vehicle was the same as that of the 50-horsepower towing vehicle, but due to the increased weight, its speed was slower than planned. Tests continued until July 1925, but it was concluded that towed anti-aircraft guns were more advantageous than self-propelled ones in the terrain of Asia, and the project was terminated.
Main Armament
The 75 mm Type 11 AA gun is capable of launching a 6.5 kg HE shell with a time fuze to an altitude of 6,650 meters at a muzzle velocity of 525 - 530 m/s. While this is not an exceptionally high muzzle velocity, it was sufficient to shoot down aircraft shortly after World War I. Since the 75 mm Type 11 AA gun shares cartridges with the 75 mm Type 38 field gun, it is theoretically capable of firing 75 mm-class armor-piercing shells, anti-concrete shells, HEAT shells, smoke shells, and more. In the game, this 75 mm SPAAG’s primary role will likely be to target and destroy tanks at medium range rather than shooting down aircraft. There is no armor obstructing the traverse of the gun, allowing for a full 360° traverse range. The elevation can reach up to 85°, enabling it to shoot down aircraft directly overhead. However, the depression is only 0°, which may cause difficulties in firing at targets that are very close.
Mobility
This SPAA uses the engine from the “50-horsepower artillery tractor (also known as the 3-ton artillery tractor).” You will notice that the shape of the engine compartment is quite similar. In the initial plan, this SPAAG was supposed to reach a speed of 40 km/h with a 50 ps water-cooled gasoline engine. However, due to its weight of 7.6 (or 7.5) tons, the practical speed was around 16-24 km/h. While this might have been an issue on the unpaved roads of Asia at the time, it could potentially move relatively quickly on maps with paved roads, despite its slow acceleration due to the tires. Notably, the transmission was designed with four forward and four reverse gears. A high reverse speed would allow it to quickly hide after firing at enemy tanks.
Specifications
| Chassis | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 7.6 t *(According to Hara, the total weight was 7.5 t) |
| Length | 5.5 m |
| Width | 2.1 m |
| Engine | 50 ps water-cooled gasoline engine |
| Speed | 16 km/h (practical) *(According to Hara, the speed is set at 24 km/h), 40 km/h (plan) |
| Wheels | solid rubber tires |
| Drivetrain | 4x4 |
| Transmission | forward and reverse 4 gears |
| Turning radius | 6 m |
| Climbing ability | 1/6 |
| Minimum ground clearance | > 300 mm |
| Total production | 1 |
| Armament | 7.5 cm 11th Year Type anti-aircraft gun |
| Gun | |
|---|---|
| Mass | 2.061 t (firing position) |
| Barrel length | 2.562 m L/34 |
| Crew | 6 |
| Caliber | 75 mm |
| Shell | Fixed QF 75 x 294 mm R |
| Breech | sliding |
| Elevation | 0° to +85° |
| Traverse | 360° |
| Rate of fire | 20 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity | 525 to 530 m/s |
| Effective firing range | 6,650 m |
| Maximum firing range | 10,900 m |
Ammo
(←) HE shell with 10th Year Type timed fuse
(→) Type 90 AA HE pointed shell
Video
On July 5, 1925, the Japanese Army recorded a firing test of the 75 mm SPAAG at the Haruki Range. This film was released by the National Film Archive of Japan.
Photo
Spoiler
Source
“Reviewing 7.5-Centimeter vehicle mounted antiaircraft artillery” 1920.08.07 - 1920.09.25. Army Technical Headquarters
“Examination of mobile anti-aircraft gun” 1918.05.07 - 1930.06.16. Army Ministry. pp. 1-24, 603-619, 649-900
“Part 1, No. 10, Tanks and Towing Vehicles” Research Review Status Table. Army Technical Headquarters. October 1930 to March 1930.
Jiro Sayama. “Anti-aircraft Guns” Japanese Army Artillery. 2010. ISBN-13: 978-4769826606. pp. 118-136
Jiro Sayama. “Field Heavy Artillery, Cavalry Artillery, etc.” Japanese Army Artillery . 2012. * ISBN-13: 978-4769827610. p. 354-358
“History of Japanese Artillery, Vol. 3 (Weaponry)”. Kaikosha. 1962. p. 196
“The Beginning of Military Vehicles” Automotive Industry 2(5). Tomio Hara. Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association. 1968-04. p. 57*
091 j: Countries, Japan, “Handbook on Japanese Military Forces, TM-E 30-480, C6, Changes No. 6” (War Department, 15 Sep 1945). FN 122
