BK 37

File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-655-5976-04, Russland, Sturzkampfbomber Junkers Ju 87 G.jpg

A Junkers Ju 87 Stuka with twin BK 37s attached to the underside of the wings.

The Bordkanone BK 37 ((on-)board cannon 37) was a 37mm anti-tank/bomber autocannon based on the earlier 37 mm Flak 18 made by Rheinmetall. It was mounted on World War II Luftwaffe aircraft such as the anti-tank or bomber-destroyer versions of the Junkers Ju 87D-3 and G-2, Henschel Hs 129B-2/R3, Messerschmitt Bf 110G-2/R1-3, and others. The cannon could be attached under the wings or fuselage of the aircraft as a self-contained pod with a 12-round magazine. It fired APCR (Tungsten hard core) ammunition or high explosive shells in 37x263B mm caliber at 160 rounds per minute.

Specifications

• Type: single-barrel automatic cannon
• Caliber: 37 mm (1.46 in)
• Cartridge: 37 mm x 263
• Operation: Short Recoil
• Length: 3.63 m (11 ft 11 in)
• Weight: 295 kg (650 lb)
• Rate of fire: 160 rpm
• Muzzle velocity: 1,170 to 780 m/s (3,836 to 2,557 ft/s)
• Projectile weight: APCR 380 g, HE 640 g, AT 685 g

See also

• Vickers S gun
• COW 37 mm gun
• 37 mm Gun M3
• Oldsmobile M4 cannon

References

• Rapid Fire, Anthony G. Williams, Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing Ltd., 2000. ISBN 1-84037-435-7.

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