- Yes
- No
History
In late 1949 the US gave the Republic of China (ROC) in Taiwan the plans and examples for the M20 (T21) 75mm recoilless rifle. With this they created their own domestic version, the Type 40 75 mm recoilless rifle, produced by the 61st arsenal. At first they didn’t have the manufacturing capacity to create new barrels so they used leftover 75mm barrels from the M10 tank destroyers they had converted into 105mm SPG’s. They also didn’t have the capability to properly manufacture the shells for the gun at first. So they converted Japanese 75mm type 94 mountain artillery shells and US 75mm mountain artillery shells to use as the ammunition. Eventually they gained the manufacturing capabilities to domestically produce the intended barrel and shells of the M20.
Taking inspiration from the French’s M20 75mm recoilless rifle mounted on a Vespa the ROC military decided to do the same. The main scooter type they seem to chose is the Mitsubishi silver pigeon C-25 which the Joint logistics arsenal in Taiwan heavily modified. The gun is seated underneath the seat and it seems like it can carry 2-4 extra rounds.
On December 14 1950 there was a demonstration was where Jeeps and scooters mounted with recoilless rifles showed off their capabilities. Unfortunately I can’t find any images or video of this demonstration. The 75mm scooter was eventually phased out as the user had to get up close to enemy armor to accurately fire the gun and at the time communist China obtained more heavily armored tanks that the 75mm recoilless rifle couldn’t reliable penetrate.
Modified and unmodified scooters w/ the joint logistics arsenal emblem
joint logistics arsenal logo
Specifications
Silver pigeon C-25 (unmodified)
Length: 1,985 mm
Width: 700 mm
Height: 980mm
Engine: Air-cooled 4-stroke gasoline engine Vertical forced cooling, 3.0 HP (3800 rpm)
Base max Speed: 60 km/h (less with all modifications)
Base Weight: 135 kg (more w/ modifications)
C-25 advertisement & specifications
Type 40 75mm recoilless rifle
Diameter (Front): 74.93 mm
Diameter (Back): 76.45 mm
Total weight: 52 kg
Total length: 2077 mm
Rifling length: 1653 mm
Rifling amount: 28 grooves
Combustion chamber volume: 5,362 cubic centimeters
Maximum chamber pressure: 460 kg/ cm2
Muzzle velocity: 304 m/s
Maximum range: 6,400 m
Ammunition
Type 1 round (modified type 94 HE round):
Fuse: Japanese Type 88 fuse
Propellant: US type 1.45 kg
Full weight: 9.7 kg
Full length: 730 mm
Warhead weight(w/ fuse): 6 kg
Armor piercing round (Modified from US 75mm mountain gun)
HEAT
Type 1 ammunition
Modified US 75mm mountain gun AP ammunition
Sources
