Cannone da 90/53
| Cannone da 90/53 | |
|---|---|
|
Cannone da 90/53 | |
| 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) | |
| Weight | 8,950 kg (19,730 lb) |
| Length | 5.039 m (16 ft 6.4 in) |
| Barrel length | 4.736 m (15 ft 6.5 in) L/53 |
| Crew | 6 |
|
| |
| Caliber | 90 mm (3.54 in) |
| Elevation | -2° to +85° |
| Traverse | 360° |
| Rate of fire | 19 rounds per minute |
| Muzzle velocity | 850 m/s (2,789 ft/s) |
| Maximum firing range | 17,400 m (57,100 ft), 12,000 m (39,000 ft) max ceiling |
The Cannone da 90/53 was an Italian-designed cannon used both in an anti-aircraft role and as an anti-tank gun during World War II. It was one of the most successful anti-aircraft guns to see service during the conflict.
The designation "90/53" meant that the gun had a 90 mm caliber and a barrel 53 caliber-lengths long.
History
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:
- The Modello 41P was for static emplacement; 1087 were ordered.
- The Modello 41C was to be towed; 660 were ordered.
- 57 were ordered to be mounted on heavy trucks designated autocannoni da 90/53.
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.
Characteristics
- Calibre: 90 mm (3.54 in)
- Barrel length: 4.736m (15 ft 6.5 in)
- Travelling weight: 8950 kg (19,731 lbs)
- Weight in action: 6240 kg (13,757 lbs)
- Elevation: -2° to +85°
- Traverse: 360°
- Muzzle velocity: 830 m/s (2,723 ft/s)
- Maximum ceiling: 12,000 m (39,370 ft)
- Shell weight: 10.33 kg (22.77 lbs)
- Rate of fire: 19 RPM
See also
- Cannone da 75/46 C.A. modello 34
- Italian Army equipment in World War II
- 8.8 cm Flak 18/36/37/41
- QF 3.7-inch AA gun
- 90 mm Gun M1/M2/M3
- 85 mm air defense gun M1939 (52-K)
References
- Artillery by Chris Chant, published by Amber Books, ISBN 1-84509-248-1
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