|
|
Products mentioned in this Article
--None--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20/65 Autocannon (IT160)
Cannone-Mitragliera Breda da 20/65 modello 35
The Breda 20mm anti-aircraft gun was widely used by the Italian Armed forces during the war. Performing in the role of light anti-aircraft, it was also used successfully in the ground role. Like many weapons of it time it was designed as a dual-purpose weapon for use against ground and air targets.
|
It entered service with the Italian Army in 1935. The gun was mounted on a twin-wheeled carriage that could be towed into action behind a truck, it could be broken down into four loads on pack horse or mule, but in most circumstances it was simply carried on the back of a 3-ton truck such as the Dovunque 35. When carried on a truck it was often set up to fire from its mount on the vehicle.
|
|
|
The gun required a three-man crew, the gunner was seated behind the breech and used a telescopic sight mounted on a pivoting arm attached to the guns mounting. The remainder of the crew served the gun from around the weapon. The ammunition was fed into the gun on 12-round trays. The gun returned the empty shells to the tray on ejection.
|
It fired armour-piercing rounds against armoured ground targets and high explosive rounds, with a very sensitive percussion fuse, against aircraft. The high explosive round included a self-destruct feature if it did not find its target.
|
|
|
It proved a very successful anti-aircraft gun, but as tank technology moved on in the 1940s the type of armour it was envisioned to be firing at in the 1930s no longer existed.
|
It worked well against light un-armoured vehicles and lightly armoured reconnaissance vehicles. The Allies also appreciated the Breda and during the North African campaign captured 20/65 guns were mounted on a variety of allied vehicles.
|
|
|
Specifications
Calibre: 20mm
Length of Piece: 1.3m
Firing Weight: 307.35kg
Maximum Ceiling: 2,500m
Elevation: –10º to +80º
Traverse: 360 degrees
Muzzle Velocity: 830-850m/s
Rate of Fire: 200-220 rpm
Shell Weight: 135g
|
In Flames of War
A Light Anti-aircraft Platoon armed with the 20/65 autocannon is available as a Divisional Support platoon to any Italian Compagnia. As well as being used portee on the trucks they can also dismount to fire from its ground mount.
The 20/65 has a Range 24”/60cm, ROF 4, AT 5, FP 5+ and is mounted on a turntable giving it a 360° arc of fire.
Gun designed by Karl
Truck and Crew designed by Evan
Painted by Jeremy & Wayne
|
|
Last Updated On Tuesday, June 23, 2009 by Blake at Battlefront
|
|
|