7.62 cm PaK 36(r)

Infobox Weapon
name=7.62 cm Panzerabwehrkanone 36(Russland)


caption=PaK 36(r) anti-tank gun, displayed on the grounds of CFB Borden.
origin=Germany
type=anti-tank gun
is_ranged=
is_bladed=
is_explosive=
is_artillery=yes
is_vehicle=
is_UK=
service=
used_by=Germany
wars=World War II
designer=
design_date=
manufacturer=
production_date=
number=560 ?
variants=
weight=1,710 kg (3,770 lbs)
length=
part_length=bore: 3,680 mm / 48.4 calibers
overall: 3,895 mm / 51.2 calibers (without muzzle brake)
width=
height=
crew=6
cartridge=
caliber=76.2 mm (3 in)
action=
rate=10-12 rounds per minute
velocity=
range=
max_range=
feed=
sights=
breech=vertical block
recoil=hydropneumatic
carriage=split trail
elevation=60°
traverse=-6° to 18°
blade_type=
hilt_type=
sheath_type=
head_type=
haft_type=
diameter=
filling=
filling_weight=
detonation=
yield=
armour=
primary_armament=
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engine=
engine_power=
pw_ratio=
suspension=
vehicle_range=
speed=

The 7.62 cm PaK 36(r) ("7.62 cm Panzerabwehrkanone 36(russland)") was a German anti-tank gun used by the Wehrmacht in World War II. The gun was a conversion of the Soviet 76-mm divisional gun M1936 (F-22).

Description

Like F-22, PaK 36(r) had split-trail carriage with suspension and steel wheels with rubber tires. The gun was equipped with semi-automatic vertical breech block; recoil mechanism consisted of hydraulic recoil buffer and hydropneumatic recuperator. There was no limber; the gun therefore could not be towed by a horse team.

Development history

Soon after the German invasion of the USSR in 1941, Wehrmacht units encountered new Soviet tanks, the medium T-34 and the heavy KV. Thick sloped armor of these vehicles gave them good degree of protection against German anti-tank weapons. The situation eventually led to requests for more powerful guns that would be able to destroy the aforementioned tanks from long range. Since Germany already had a suitable design, the 7.5 cm PaK 40, it entered production and in November 1941 first pieces were delivered. But until enough of those would be manufactured, some expedient solution was required.

In the early stage of the war, Germans captured a large number (up to 1,300) of Soviet 76-mm divisional guns model 1936 (F-22). Developed with anti-aircraft abilities in mind, the Soviet gun had powerful ballistics; it was also originally intended to use more powerful cartridge than the one eventually adopted. However the design had some shortcomings which made it ineffective in the anti-tank role. In late 1941 German engineers developed a modernization program, which included:
*Rechambering for a more powerful round. The German cartridge was nearly twice as long as the Soviet one (715 mm vs 385.3 mm) and wider (100 mm vs 90 mm), resulting in 2.4 times larger propellant load.
*Controls were moved to the left side of the barrel, near the sights.
*Recoil mechanism was improved.
*Maximum elevation angle was limited to 18 degrees.
*The carriage was equipped with a new, lower shield.
*Many (but not all) guns were fitted with muzzle brake.

Production

First guns were delivered in April 1942. Until the end of the year Germans converted 358 pieces, 169 in 1943 and 33 in 1944. Additionally, 894 barrels were prepared for use in self-propelled guns. It is likely that these numbers include PaK 39(r), a similarly upgraded 76-mm M1939 (up to 300 pieces).

The HEAT projectiles penetrated about 100-115 mm at meet angle 90°.

Notes

References

* Gander, Terry and Chamberlain, Peter. "Weapons of the Third Reich: An Encyclopedic Survey of All Small Arms, Artillery and Special Weapons of the German Land Forces 1939-1945". New York: Doubleday, 1979 ISBN 0-385-15090-3

* Hogg, Ian V. "German Artillery of World War Two". 2nd corrected edition. Mechanicsville, PA: Stackpole Books, 1997 ISBN 1-85367-480-X
*Shirokorad A. B. - "The God of War of the Third Reich" - M. AST, 2002 (Широкорад А. Б. - Бог войны Третьего рейха. — М.,ООО Издательство АСТ, 2002., ISBN 5-17-015302-3)
*Ivanov A. - Artillery of Germany in Second World War - SPb Neva, 2003 (Иванов А. - Артиллерия Германии во Второй Мировой войне. — СПб., Издательский дом «Нева», 2003., ISBN 5-7654-2634-4)
*Klyuev A. etc. - "German Artillery Ammunition Reference Book" - M., 1943 (А.Клюев и др - Справочник по комплектации боеприпасов германской артиллерии. — М., 1943)

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