15 cm Kanone 181,2
15-cm K 181,2
Rheinmetall won the contract in 1933 to build the heavy guns to arm the divisional batteries.1 Production didn't start right away as priority was given the the 15-cm schwere Feldhaubitze 18.1
The army was happy with the range, but not with the carriage.1,2 There was a special transport carriage for just the gun when traveling long distances.1,2 Putting it on it's turntable took even more time to assemble.1,2
Rate of fire was low at two rounds per minute.1,2
Fixed defenses
Due to the carriages short comings, many of the K 18s were placed in coastal defenses or garrison divisions.1,2
Special rounds with red dye were created to help in marking and ranging the guns.1,2
Limited production
Production of the K 18 ended well before the end of the war as heavier guns were prefered.1,2
| 15 cm Kanone 18 | |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 5.87"2 149.1 mm1,2 |
| Length of gun | 26' 10.8"1,2 8.2 m1,2 |
| Length of bore | |
| Rifling | |
| Weight traveling | 41,226 lb1,2 18,700 kg1,2 |
| Weight in action | 27,470 lb1,2 12,460 kg1,2 |
| Elevation | -2° to +43°1,2 |
| Traverse | Platform: 360°1,2 Carriage: 11°1,2 |
| Muzzle Velocity | 2,838'/sec1,2 865 m/sec1,2 |
| Range of shell | 26,800 yards1,2 24,500 m1,2 |
| Shell weight | 94.8 lb1,2 43 kg1,2 |
| Breech mechanism |
Sources:
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, 1998, Chris Bishop
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons from World War II to the Present Day, 2006, Chris Bishop
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