ZSU-37
Introduction
ZSU-37
Oblique forward view of ZSU-37 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun.
Source: Unknown author -
© Copyright lies with original owner
Soviet Union - Design bureau of the GAZ plant
ZSU-37 / Zenitnaya Samokhodnaya Ustanovka 37
Russian for "anti-aircraft self-propelled mount"
Description
Introduction
The ZSU-37 is a World War 2 era self-propelled anti-aircraft gun of Soviet origin. It was developed at the later stages of World War 2 to accompany tank formations. Earlier Soviet self-propelled guns lacked both armor and tracked chassis, being unable to keep up with tank or to operate in the front line. ZSU-37 became operation just after World War 2 and could be seen in various parades on the Red Square in Moscow. The design was unsuccessful and only a small number was ever produced.
Design
The ZSU-37 is based on the chassis of the SU-76M self-propelled gun. This has the twin engine setup and transmission in the front, allowing for a large rear compartment. ZSU-37 is fitted with an open roof turret. Armament is the towed 37mm 61-K anti-aircraft gun, including the sighting equipment for both gunners.
Firepower
The ZSU-37 is armed with a single 37mm 61-K anti-aircraft gun. This is fed from 5 round clips. Cyclic rate of fire is over 150 rpm. Practical rate of fire is 50 to 60 rpm. Anti-aircraft ceiling is 4 km and the practical range against surface targets is 5 km. A total of 320 rounds are carried.
Fire control
Two gunners use collimator sights to aim the 37mm 61-K. One operates the traverse and the other the elevation. The ZSU-37 is even less effective against faster aircraft than the towed gun. The manually traversed turret is heavier and requires more effort to rotate.
Protection
The face hardened welded steel armor protects against small arms fire and shell splinters all around. Over the frontal arc the protection level is higher. The turret roof is open and the crew is vulnerable from above. There are no smoke grenade dischargers or NBC system.
Mobility
The tracked chassis is very similar to the SU-76M. This has two combined petrol engines in the front of the hull. The engines have been uprated to 80 hp each to cope with the increased weight over the SU-76M. A difficult for the Soviet forces was the post-WW2 was the petrol engines in the ZSU-37 due to the transition to diesel engines for all frontline vehicles.
Users
The Soviet Union was the only user of the ZSU-37. The need for a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun became evident during World War 2. Protracted development and other priorities resulted in protypes during the later stages of the war. The ZSU-37 was not actively used during World War 2. By the end of 1945 an experimental self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery battalion equipped with 12 ZSU-37 was formed. Production was limited since
Media
ZSU-37
Many ZSU-37 self-propelled anti-aircraft guns seen on parade in Moscow.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: c
ZSU-37
Many ZSU-37 self-propelled anti-aircraft guns seen on parade in Moscow.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
ZSU-37
ZSU-37 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun seen on parade in Moscow.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
ZSU-37
Artist impression of ZSU-37 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun.
Source: UMT
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
ZSU-37
Oblique forward view of ZSU-37 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Details
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