#1
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3.7 anti aircraft gun
Heres a piece of artillery i would like to see more photos and info on, they were used in large numbers by both the Brits and Canadians so got to be something out there. I read somwhere they used them on one occasion as anti tank guns , i think in Italy unfortunatly they had no AP ammo the guns must have been unwieldy to use due to the weight and size for this role unlike the German88mm on its lighter trailer. An interesting snippet we have a vintage fair that travels the London and home counties areas that use the carriage of a 3.7 for the Octopus ride now this must be a real heavy lump to haul around, all my memories of travelling fairs with the Octopus used the much lighter ex military searchlight carriage
cheers Les |
#2
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Les,
Here's a photo for you... Gunners of the 2nd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, pushing a 3.7-inch (9.84 cm) anti-aircraft gun through mud February 1, 1945 , Place of publication: Dunkerque, France |
#3
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Here are some Canadian photos of the 3.7in AA Gun. Note that there was an AP shot for the 3.7in AA Gun. Also when in the horizontal firing position the 3.7in AA Gun had a lower profile than the German 8.8cm flak guns. However, because the British had such fine A/T guns like the 6 and 17 pdrs there was really no need to use their heavy AA guns on the A/T role. Because of their long range (18,800m) the 3.7in AA guns were often used in the field artillery role especially in the counter battery role.
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#4
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More photos;
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#5
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Quote:
Call me cynical, but I'd almost say it's staged... first, look at the lads. The two closest to the camera look like they've just walked off parade, while the fellows in back are wearing FILTHY coveralls... should they ALL not be dressed accordingly? Second, are we really to assume those few are going to PUSH a great honkin' gun like that through mud?? Naaaa.... it's just too pat! More like: Quote:
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SUNRAY SENDS AND ENDS :remember :support |
#6
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3.7in AP shot
Could it be?
Looking back at the photos that I posted above it appears that the round being loaded into the gun is painted black. This would indicate that it is AP shot. The photos were taken on the test ranges in Valcartier in Feb. 1943. |
#7
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Quote:
3.7in AA at Tobruk: Another at Tobruk: |
#8
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from the IWM: -
Source:
Photo No.: H 31848 Photographer: Hardy (Sgt) War Office official photographer Title: THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 1939-45 Collection No.: 4700-37 Description: 3.7-inch guns of an anti-aircraft regiment on parade near Chelmsford in Essex, 13 August 1943. Period: Second World War Date: 13 August 1943 Access: Unrestricted Colour / B&W: Black and white Type: Official photograph
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Mark |
#9
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from the IWM: -
Source:
Photo No.: BU 5319 Photographer: Wilkes (Sgt) No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit Title: THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-45 Collection No.: 4700-30 Description: 3.7-inch guns of 60th (City of London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment fire a salvo to celebrate the Allied victory in Europe, 6 May 1945. Period: Second World War Date: 6 May 1945 Access: Unrestricted Colour / B&W: Black and white Type: Official photograph
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Mark |
#10
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from the IWM: -
Source:
Photo No.: GM 93 Photographer: Dallison G W (Lieut) War Office official photographer Title: THE BRITISH ARMY ON GIBRALTAR 1941 Collection No.: 4700-36 Description: White Rock Battery showing a 3.7-inch mobile anti-aircraft gun, November 1941. Period: Second World War Date: November 1941 Access: Unrestricted Colour / B&W: Black and white Type: Official photograph
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Mark |
#11
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Stranded at the Beach near Courseulles, Normandy.
The picture is taken from a book about the REME beach groups in Normandy. Exact source to follow. Alex |
#12
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AHA now thats bought out some interesting bits well done lads, that one on the target range must be fireing AP rounds with a gun that size and a target that close it must have gone straight through or blown it to bits. Yes sorry down under i forgot about the ones built there those photos sure show the gun muzzle flash an instant 4th July
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#13
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A few more shots from the IWM archives
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#14
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Re: 3.7in AP shot
Quote:
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#15
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Here is another one from the IWM.
"Artillery of the 11th Armoured Divison in action" IWM B 9227 |
#16
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These two shots will interest you guys in Canada the first is in the production factory now where would that have been located and the second shows loading part crated 3.7s on to a ship bound for Russia. I wonder if you ever got paid for them
cheers Les |
#17
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3.7 AA
a couple more:
Source: Australian War Memorial ID Number: 026627 Maker: Fisher, Thomas Place made: Papua New Guinea: Papua, Milne Bay Gili Gili Date made: September 1942 Physical description: Black & white Summary: A HEAVY 3.7 INCH ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUN IN POSITION ON THE SHORES OF MILNE BAY NEAR GILI GILI, MANNED BY A CREW OF THE 2/6TH HEAVY ANTI-AIRCRAFT BATTERY, ROYAL AUSTRALIAN ARTILLERY. Copyright: clear
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Mark |
#18
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Source: Australian War Memorial
ID Number: 071754 Maker: Fraser, A L Date made: 26 March 1944 Physical description: Black & white Summary: LAE, NEW GUINEA, 1944-03-26. MEMBERS OF C TROOP, 2/6TH HEAVY ANTI-AIRCRAFT REGIMENT (COMPOSITE), OPERATING "MAHFEESH-TOJO". (FINISH TOJO); NO. 3, 3.7 INCH MOBILE GUN, MKIII DURING AN ALERT. LEFT TO RIGHT: VX43754 SERGEANT RIETZE; VX20421 GUNNER W. S. HUNTER; VX65504 GUNNER J. WATKINS; NX97806 GUNNER H. MOON; UNIDENTIFIED; VX112407 GUNNER A. HARDIE; VX47462 GUNNER D. MATHESON; SX17959 GUNNER J. WRIGHT. Copyright: clear
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Mark |
#19
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Two more photos of 3.7in guns belonging to 2nd Cdn HAA Regt.
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#20
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Cant believe its almost a year since we looked at this thread, this interesting photo shows a battery of static 3.7s during the flying bomb crisis. The original caption states somewhere in Kent but after a close study i would say that this is Hastings in East Sussex right down at the western end of the prominade where the open air swimming pool used to be
cheers Les |
#21
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Wouldn't that be 91.5mm (24.4mm x 3.75)
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Col Wish List : LP2, Matilda, Valentine Hull in any condition... |
#23
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Colin
Besides which 1.000 inch = 25.4 mm not 24.4mm
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Bluebell Carrier Armoured O.P. No1 Mk3 W. T84991 Carrier Bren No2.Mk.I. NewZealand Railways. NZR.6. Dodge WC55. 37mm Gun Motor Carriage M6 Jeep Mb #135668 So many questions.... |
#24
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yeah, I realized that about an hour later & I was already off-line by then.
still trying to decide whether I'm getting dumber as I get older, or Wiser & just realizing that I was always dumb. It's a tough one.
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Col Wish List : LP2, Matilda, Valentine Hull in any condition... |
#25
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Museum Photo
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#26
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#27
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For anyone interested there is a static mount version for sell on milweb at the moment.
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#28
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The one on Milweb is a Mobile 3.7", it's just that the axles have been removed and are not visible in the pic (compare with the first pics in this thread)
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You can help Keep Mapleleafup Up! See Here how you can help, and why you should! |
#29
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The Mobile guns are easily identified by the stabilising outriggers, while the Static guns were secured by 16 hold-down bolts and did not require the outriggers:
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You can help Keep Mapleleafup Up! See Here how you can help, and why you should! |
#30
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17 PR Mark one tech manual
http://edmonton.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-...AdIdZ100878017
don't know it is still available but it is still posted on KIJIJI ebay. No connection to sell Mike Timoshyk |
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