Skoda K series

The Skoda 149mm K-series was a 1930s howitzer design which served with Germany, Turkey, Romania, Yugoslavia, and others.

Description

The K-series howitzers were modern designs for their time, with a powerful 149.1 mm calibre barrel mounted on a heavy field carriage designed for motorized transport. The K1 model was slightly longer and could be broken down for horse transport as well. The K4 model was more modern and used pneumatic wheels as opposed to the K1's solid rubber rims.

History

The K-series was an entirely new design by the Skoda company of Czechoslovakia. The original K1 model was in production by 1933, and was a successful export weapon, with sales to Turkey, Romania, and Yugoslavia. However, the Czech army was not a buyer, but instead desired modifications to the weapon for service. The newer weapon was titled the K4 and was accepted by the Czech army as its standard field artillery replacement for the large variety of World War I era pieces still on inventory. It received the designation 15 cm hruba houfnice vzor 37 and had just begun production as Czechoslovakia capitulated to Germany in 1939. The Germans tested the new weapon and found it to be a quality piece, and so continued production for wervice in the Wehrmacht as the 15 cm schwere Feldhaubitze 37(t) or sFH 37(t). The weapon was widely used, particularly on the Eastern Front, where by the end of the war, many had been supplied to Axis-allied powers such as Slovakia.

Specifications

• Calibre: 149.1 mm (5.87")
• Barrel Length: 3600 mm (142")
• Elevation: -5° to +70°
• Traverse: 45°
• Weights
  • Travel: 5.7 mt (6.3 t)
  • Action: 5.2 mt (5.7 t)
  • Shell: 42 kg (93 lb)
• Performance
  • Muzzle velocity: 580 m/sec (1,900 fps)
  • Maximum range: 15.1 km
• Known users: Czechoslovakia, Germany, Romania, Slovakia, Turkey