75mm PaK 40

Fotografo: Yo
Manipulacion renactment: Yo

Development of the PaK 40 began in 1939 with development contracts being placed with Krupp and Rheinmetall to develop a 7.5 cm anti-tank gun. Priority of the project was initially low, but Operation Barbarossa in 1941 and the appearance of heavily armoured Russian tanks like the KV-1, increased the priority. The first guns were delivered in November 1941. By 1943 PaK 40 formed the bulk of the German anti-tank artillery.

The PaK 40 was the standard German anti-tank gun until the end of the war, and was supplied by Germany to its allies. Some captured pieces were used by the Red Army. After the end of the war the PaK 40 remained in service in several European armies, including Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Finland, Hungary and Romania.

About 23,500 pieces were produced, and about 6,000 more were used to arm tank destroyers.

Caliber: 75 mm L/46
Rifling: 32 Grooves, right-hand increasing twist, 1/24 to 1/18.
Length with the carriage: 6.20 m
Length: 3.45 m
Width: 2.00 m
Height: 1.25 m
Weight (combat ready): 1,425 kg.
Traverse: 65°
Elevation: -5° to + 22°
Rate of fire: 14 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocity:
933 m/s (Tungsten cored round)
792 m/s (Standard armour piercing)
548 m/s (HE)
Engagement range: 1,800 m
Indirect range: 7678 m (HE shell)
Projectile weight: 3.18 to 6.8 kg
Armor penetration (at 0 degrees) at 500 m:
132 mm (Standard armour piercing)
154 mm (Tungsten cored round)