40mm Bofors - Naval Variant

Introduction

The Swedish designed "Bofors" gun is probably the most recognizable medium anti-aircraft gun in the world. Almost every country has fielded a Bofors gun of some variant, and all of the worlds' major navies used these guns during World War II. Originally designed in 1933, the model 1936 variant was approved for production and purchased by many European countries. Great Britain and the Commonwealth nations produced over 2900 units, and the United States produced a staggering 31,900 for it's navy. The Germans and Japanese created their own versions, although they were produced in smaller numbers. The Bofors anti-aircraft gun was situated in single, double, and quadruple mountings for ships. Today the Bofors is still in use with many countries and their navies, and is even mounted on modern aircraft.

Details

Name	40mm FlaK 28 L/56	40mm/56 Mark 1	40mm/56.3 QF Mark IV
Country	Germany	United States	Great Britain
In Service Date	1944	1942	1941
Crew	7	7	7
Gunsight	Schwebekreis-visier 30	Cartwheel Sight	Cartwheel Sight
Gun Weight	522 kg	522 kg	522 kg
Gun Length	2.250 m	2.250 m	2.250 m
Barrel Length	1.932 m	1.927 m	1.927 m
Ammunition	2000	2000	1269
Ammunition Feed	4 round clips	4 round clips	4 round clips
Cyclic Rate of Fire	120 RPM	120 RPM	120 RPM
Effective Rate of Fire	120 RPM	120 RPM	120 RPM
Traverse	360°	360°	360°
Max Elevation	+90°	+90°	+90°
Max Depression	-10°	-15°	-10°
Muzzle Velocity	854m / Second	881m / Second	829m / Second
Max Ceiling	7000m	6797m	7160m
Projectile Name	HE / T	HE Mk. 1	HE
Projectile Size	40 x 311 mm	40 x 311 mm	40 x 311 mm
Round Weight	2.1 kg	2.15 kg	2.21 kg
Projectile Weight	0.955 kg	0.900 kg	0.894 kg
Propellant Weight	0.303 kg	0.314 kg	0.326 kg
Bursting Charge	0.092 kg	0.092 kg	0.067 kg
Total Round Length	44.7 cm	44.75 cm	45.1 cm
Projectile Length	18.4 cm	18.4 cm	18.4 cm