10.5 cm light field howitzer 43

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The 105mm light field howitzer 43 was a project for a light field howitzer to which during the Second World War by Krupp and Skoda were developed various designs. Until the end of the war, development activities only led to wooden models; However, comparable requirements led to the development of the D-30 in the USSR in the 1950s .

10.5 cm light field howitzer 43
Technical specifications
Design Krupp I Design by Krupp II Designed by Škoda
Introductory year: Wooden model Wooden model Wooden model
Origin: Germany Germany Germany
Dimensions
Caliber: 105 mm 105 mm 105 mm
Pipe length: 3,675 mm (L / 35) 2,940 mm (L / 28) 3,456 mm (L / 30)
Length in driving position:
Width:
Height:
Weight in driving position:
Weight in firing position: ~ 2,450 kg ~ 2,400 kg ~ 2,300 kg
Shooting performance
Muzzle velocity: 655 m / s 595 m / s 610 m / s
Firing range: 14,250 m 13,000 m 13,000 m
Bullet weight 14.81 kg 14.81 kg 14.81 kg
Elevation range: −4 ° to + 70 ° −10 ° to + 70 ° −5 ° to + 75 °
Side straightening area: 360 ° 360 ° 360 °
Cadence: 6-8 rounds / min 6-8 rounds / min 6-8 rounds / min

history

The drafts for the leFH 43 represent the result of the military experience of the Wehrmacht up to this point in terms of the tactical and technical requirements . In addition to a long range, it should also allow shooting in the upper angle groups, i.e. with superelevations of over 45 degrees become. In addition, the ability to conduct fire fighting all around was required for anti-tank defense and in adaptation to the increasingly flexible type of warfare. In view of these demanding requirements, of course, the gun weight , the reduction of which had been the top priority for the 10.5 cm light field howitzer 42 , had to be compromised. First the company Škoda, which was under German occupation, developed a field gun based on these requirements. However, the work did not get beyond wooden models until the end of the war. A little later, Krupp also submitted a proposal based on the cross mount of the 8.8 cm PaK 43 and the tube of the 10.5 cm leFH 18/42 in accordance with the requirements mentioned . Since this was found to be too heavy and the carriage used was urgently needed elsewhere, Krupp presented a design with a newly developed four-spar carriage that carried the tube of the 10.5 cm leFH 42. However, this was only slightly easier. By the end of the war, only models of both proposals had been made, and a final decision as to which of the two Krupp designs should be continued has also not yet been made.

description

The Škoda design was characterized by an all-round mount with four riveted box spars. In the driving position, these were put together in pairs at the rear and under the pipe. It is noteworthy that the return device, which is located under the pipe with the retrieval device, was adjustable in three stages from a maximum pipe return of 1550 mm, over 1150 mm to a minimum of 850 mm, so that the closure did not hit the ground even with the maximum pipe elevation . A small inclined shield was provided to protect the crew. The first design by Krupp took over the tube of the leFH 18/42 and the mount of the PaK 43 ; However, it was planned to standardize the return and retrieval device for leFH 43 and PaK 43 . For the second draft, a new type of carriage with four welded box spars was developed. In the driving position, these were put together in pairs to the rear and under the pipe. When taking up position, they were pulled apart in a cross shape and anchored the gun firmly in the ground using iron spikes, so that the gun could be rotated through 360 °. The gun had a large curved shield. The advance and return devices were located under the pipe. The leFH 43 should, regardless of the design, the same ammunition as the leFH 18M use, ie: FH Gr, Gr FH 38 Stg, FH Gr... Nb., FH Gr. 38 Nb., 10cm Pz. Gr., 10cm Pz. Gr. Red, 10cm Pz. Gr. 39 red and FH Gr. Remote.

literature

Web links

See also