Skoda Model 1928 Gun

Skoda Model 1928 Gun
Type	heavy gun
Place of origin	Czechoslovakia
Service history
In service	1928-1945
Used by	Kingdom of Yugoslavia  Nazi Germany
Wars	World War II
Production history
Designer	Skoda
Manufacturer	Skoda
Specifications
Weight	15,000 kilograms (33,000 lb)
Barrel length	7.025 metres (20 ft) L/46.5
Shell	56 kilograms (123 lb)
Caliber	149.1 mm (5.87 in)
Carriage	box trail
Elevation	+4° to +45°
Traverse	360°
Rate of fire	1 rpm
Muzzle velocity	760 m/s (2,493 ft/s)
Maximum firing range	23,800 metres (26,000 yd)

The Skoda Model 1928 Gun was a Czechoslovak long-range, dual-purpose cannon designed for the attack of static fortifications and coastal defence duties. About 20 were bought by Yugoslavia and possibly more by Romania, although this latter has not been confirmed from Romanian sources. Guns captured by Nazi Germany after the Invasion of Yugoslavia were used by the Heer as the 15 cm Kanone 403(j). It was tested by the Czechs as the 15 cm kanon NOa, but was not purchased.

The gun was mounted on a metal firing platform to give it 360° traverse. It was transported in three loads.

References

• Chamberlain, Peter & Gander, Terry. Heavy Artillery. New York: Arco, 1975 ISBN 0-668-03898-5
• 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