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LPO-50 flamethrower



Overview


LPO-50

LPO-50 components on display: flame gun, hose and three cannister backpack.
Source: www.war-time.ru - © Copyright lies with original owner

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Flamethrower
Entered service
1953
Status
Limited service
Development
Late 1940's - Early 1950's
Developer
Soviet Union - E. A. Kozlovsky
Production
1953 - 1980's
Producer
Soviet Union
China
Romania
Designations
ЛПО-50 / Лёгкий пехотный огнемёт 50
LPO-50 / Logkiy Pekhotnyy Ognemot
Russian for "light infantry flamethrower"
Type 58 (Chinese production)
Notable users
Soviet Union
China
Vietnam

Description


Introduction

The LPO-50 is a man portable flamethrower of Soviet origin. It was developed just after World War 2 to replace all older designs in Soviet service. In Soviet service flamethrowers were used only by specialized chemical warfare units. The LPO-50 was produced under license in Romania and China. The Type 74 is a Chinese an indigenious development based on the LPO-50.

Design

The LPO-50 design emphasizes on weight reduction and simplicity. A single person can operate the LPO-50. The fuel is carried in three vertical cannisters on a backpack. The flame gun features a pistol grip and a bipod, allowing it to be used from the prone position. The operating principle differs from many other flamethrowers. Each pull of the trigger starts the fuel expulsion of a single full tank. At the same time the ignition system is triggered. The cannisters can be refilled after use.

Firepower

The design allows for three uses when all three tanks are fitted. Each burst of flames lasts 5 to 7 seconds. There is a 2 to 3 second delay between pulling the trigger and fuel flow. The direct fire range is over 40 meters. In an arc up to 70 meters can be reached. Reloading time for all three cannisters is 8 to 10 minutes.

Users

The LPO-50 entered Soviet service in 1953. The design was shared with China, which started its own production. The LPO-50 was also supplied to various Soviet allies during the Cold War. It was used by North Vietnam during the Vietnam war. In Soviet service the LPO-50 was supplemented with the RPO Rys "flamethrower rocket launcher" in the 1980's. With the introduction of the RPO-A it was fully replaced.

Details


Facts LPO-50
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Man portable flamethrower
Dimensions
Weight
14.8 kg combined, with empty tanks
23 kg with full tanks
Flame gun length
0.85 m
Flame gun caliber
14.5 mm
Flame gun weight
3.2 kg
Operating principle
Fuel type
Gasoline with thickening powder
Cylinder capacity
3.3 L per cylinder
Working pressure
30 kg/cm² during expulsion
Ignition
3x PP-9 incendiary cartridge near muzzle
Trigger type
Electrical trigger
Power source
2x KNPZ-2 battery in flame gun
Engagement radius
Fire range
20 to 40 m direct fire
70 m indirect fire
90 m can be reached with fair wind
Trigger delay
2 to 3 seconds
Expulsion time
5 to 7 seconds per cylinder

Media


Related articles


Type 74 flamethrower

The Type 74 is a further development of the Soviet LPO-50. In can be distinguished by having only 2 cylinders on the backpack and 2 ignition charges near the muzzle.