Type 88 75 mm AA Gun

The Type 88 75 mm AA Gun was a Japanese anti-aircraft gun that was used during the Second World War. The Japanese designation was actually 8cm—but the bore was 3 inches (76.2 mm). It replaced the Type 11 75 mm gun in Japanese service.

Basically a copy of a Vickers AA gun from the 1920s, it entered service between 1927 and 1928. By 1941 it was effectively obsolete. There was some concern among the Allies, because it was assumed it was a copy of the formidable German 88 mm gun. It was also used for coastal defense. It was experimentally fitted to a Ki-109 bomber in an attempt to reach the American B-29 bombers. Approximately 2,000 were produced. It was used throughout the Second World War.

pecifications

* Caliber: 75 mm (3")
* Weight: 2,450 kg (5,400 lbs)
* Barrel Length: 3.212 m (10.53 ft) (L44)
* Elevation: -7 to +85 Degrees
* Traverse: 360 Degrees
* Projectile weight: 6.54 kg (14.40 lbs)
* Muzzle velocity: 720 m/s (2,400 fps)
* Range: 13,800 m (15,000 yds)
* Altitude: 9,100 m (30,000 ft)

Ammunition

* Anti-aircraft
** Type 90 HE AA "pointed" Complete round: 8.94 kg, projectile: 6.52 kg with Type 89 AA fuse.
* High explosive
** Type 90 HE "pointed" Complete round: 8.55 kg, projectile: 6.35 with Type 88 impact or Type 88 delay.
* Armour piercing
** Type 95 APHE Complete round: 6.2 kg.

References

* McLean, Donald B. "Japanese Artillery; Weapons and Tactics". Wickenburg, Ariz.: Normount Technical Publications 1973. ISBN 0-87947-157-3.