Cannone da 90/53 | |
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Cannone da 90/53 |
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Type | Anti-Aircraft Gun |
Place of origin | Italy |
Service history | |
Used by | Italy, Germany |
Wars | World War II |
Production history | |
Designer | Ansaldo |
Designed | 1939 |
Manufacturer | Ansaldo |
Produced | 1 June 1939 - 31 July 1943 |
Number built | 539 |
Specifications (Cannone da 90/53) | |
Crew | 6 |
The Cannone da 90/53 was an Italian designed cannon, and one of the most successful anti-aircraft guns to see service during World War II. It was used both in an anti-aircraft role and as an anti-tank gun. The designation "90/53" meant that the gun had a 90 mm caliber and a barrel 53 caliber-lengths long.
Contents |
The Cannone da 90/53 was designed by Ansaldo, the first examples being produced in 1939. The original plan was for the gun to be manufactured in three variants:
However Italian industry was not up to producing these quantities and by the end of production in July 1943 only 539 guns had been delivered, including 48 converted for use on the Semovente 90/53 heavy tank destroyer.
After Italy surrendered, guns captured by Germany forces were designated 9-cm Flak 41(i) or 9-cm Flak 309/1(i). Some of these guns were used for the air defence of Germany while others were kept in Italy.
Comparing to the ubiquitous German 8.8 cm Flak 18/36/37, the Cannone da 90/53 had several advantages.
In respect to range and effectiveness, the 90/53 was more comparable to the larger-caliber contemporary German 10.5 cm Flak 38.