Oerlikon 20 mm cannon
The Oerlikon 20 mm cannon is an
autocannon designed by Reinhold Becker in 1914. It is still in use today, after having been used extensively during the
Second World War.
Encyclopedia
The
Oerlikon 20 mm cannon is an
autocannon designed by Reinhold Becker in 1914. It is still in use today, after having been used extensively during the
Second World War.
History
The
German Army was the first user, mounting it on its aircraft during the
First World War. In 1919, the
patent was transferred to
Switzerland, and production assumed by Semag, later bought by Werkzeug Maschinenfabrik Oerlikon. Most of the main parties of the Second World War bought licenses to manufacture the cannon themselves.
In 1935, the cannon was adapted by
Britain to be used in the
Royal Navy for the short-range
anti-aircraft role. It was fielded in
United States Navy ships starting in 1942, replacing the
M2 Machine Gun, which lacked range and firepower. It came to be famous in the naval antiaircraft role, notably against Japanese
kamikaze attacks during the
Pacific War. The gun was eventually abandoned as a major anti-air weapon due to its lack of stopping power against heavy aircraft, largely superseded by the
Bofors 40 mm gun.
It is still in use today on some naval units, theoretically as a last-recourse anti-air weapon, but mainly used for police shots .
The Polsten gun was based on the Oerlikon.
Description
The Oerlikon 20 mm cannon is a monotube cannon with a large coil surrounding the barrel.
In its naval version, it is fixed on a free-swinging mount, and a flat armor shield gives some protection for the crew. The cannon is manned by the gunner , the piece chief , and the feeder .
The gun is manoeuvered by the gunner, who is attached to the weapon. The fire is directed through an optical visor, the same as used on the
Bofors 40 mm gun.
Ammunition feed is by a cylindrical magazine on the top of the gun. A trigger in the right-hand grip controls fire. Used cartridges are ejected from below the breech. During sustained firing, the 60-round magazine must be frequently changed by hand by the feeder, reducing the effective rate of fire.
References
- Campbell, John. Naval Weapons of World War Two. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 1985.
See also
