2 cm KwK 30
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| 2 cm KwK 30 | |
|---|---|
2 cm KwK 30
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| Type | Tank gun |
| Place of origin | Nazi Germany |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1935-1945 |
| Used by |  Nazi Germany |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Mauser Rheinmetall-Borsig |
| Specifications | |
| Caliber | 2 cm |
| Breech | recoil operated bolt |
| Carriage | turret |
| Elevation | -9½° to +20° |
| Traverse | 360° |
| Muzzle velocity | 1,050 m/s with PzGr.40 |
| Sights | TZF4 TZF4/36 TZF3a TZF6[1] |
The 2-cm-KwK 30 L/55 (2 cm Kampfwagenkanone 30 L/55) was a German 2 cm cannon used primarily as the chief weapon of the German SdKfz.121 Panzerkampfwagen II light tank . It was used in vehicles that saw action in the Spanish Civil War, and the Second World War. It was produced by Mauser and Rheinmetall-Borsig from 1935.[2]
The KwK 30 also served as the basis for the 20 mm C/30, an aircraft version that was mounted experimentally in some Heinkel He 112 fighters and proved to make an excellent ground-attack weapon during the Spanish Civil War. Direct ground-attack was not considered a priority for the Luftwaffe, however, and the cannon was not used on other designs.
An improved version the, 2 cm KwK 38 L/55 (2 cm Kampfwagenkanone 38 L/55) was used on the SdKfz.121 Panzerkampfwagen II (Ausf. J models onwards). Also used on the Sd.Kfz. - 251/17 Schützenpanzerwagen (2 cm). Anti-aircraft vehicle armed with a 2 cm KwK38 on a pedestal mounting with a small armored turret to protect the gunner. Late war, it was issued as a platoon commander's vehicle to replace the Sd.Kfz. - 251/10 Schützenpanzerwagen (3.7 cm PaK).
Ammunition
The 2 cm KwK 30 used the 20 x 138B cartridge. Average penetration performance established against rolled homogenous steel armor plate laid back at 30° from the vertical.[3]
- PzGr.39 (Armour Piercing) (Can go through 23mm of armor at 100 meters and 14mm of armor at 500 meters)
- PzGr.40 (Armour Piercing Composite Rigid) (Can go through 40mm of armor at 100 meters and 20mm of armor at 500 meters)
- 2 cm Sprgr. 39 (High Explosive)
Vehicles mounted on
- Bergepanther SdKfz.179
- SdKfz.121 Panzerkampfwagen II
- SdKfz.222 Leichter Panzerspähwagen
- SdKfz.223 Leichter Panzerspähwagen
- SdKfz.231 Schwerer Panzerspähwagen
- SdKfz.232 Schwerer Panzerspähwagen
- SdKfz.234/1 Puma
- SdKfz.251/17 Schützenpanzerwagen (2 cm)
