Difference between revisions of "Polsten (20 mm)"
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== Description == | == Description == | ||
| − | + | The Polsten is a 20 mm autocannon, developed as a simplified version of the [[20 mm/70 Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm)|20 mm Oerlikon Mk.II]]. Although being cheaper than its predecessor, the Polsten would function nearly identically and serve primarily in the anti-aircraft role, mounted in towed gun mounts, self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicles, and naval vessels. | |
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| + | Players who have experience with the 20 mm Oerlikon Mk.II will be familiar with the operation of this weapon and its characteristics. It offers a fair amount of damage against aircraft, although its ballistics and firerate may not be favorable against fast-flying aircraft. | ||
=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon === | === Vehicles equipped with this weapon === | ||
| Line 31: | Line 33: | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
| − | The Polsten is Polish 20-millimeter anti-aircraft derived from the [[20 mm/70 Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm)|Swiss 20 mm Oerlikon]]. Development began in 1939 when Polish engineers began working on a simplified version of the Oerlikon anti-aircraft gun that was just as effective. The development hit a snag when Germany invaded in September 1939 which resulted in the designers fleeing to Britain where they continued development with a team including local engineers and Czech designers. The end result used 119 parts and cost between 60 and 90 British pounds compared to the 250 rounds and cost of 150 pounds of an Oerlikon. They also had 30 rounds box magazines alongside the 60-round drum mags used by the Oerlikon. Due to a lack of industrial capacity locally, the Polsten was manufactured by John Inglis & Company in Canada who built the guns in a variety of double, triple, and quad-mounts. | + | <!--''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>.''--> |
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| + | The Polsten is Polish 20-millimeter anti-aircraft gun derived from the [[20 mm/70 Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm)|Swiss 20 mm Oerlikon]]. Development began in 1939 when Polish engineers began working on a simplified version of the Oerlikon anti-aircraft gun that was just as effective. The development hit a snag when Germany invaded in September 1939, which resulted in the designers fleeing to Britain where they continued development with a team including local engineers and Czech designers. The end result used 119 parts and cost between 60 and 90 British pounds compared to the 250 rounds and cost of 150 pounds of an Oerlikon. They also had 30 rounds box magazines alongside the 60-round drum mags used by the Oerlikon. Due to a lack of industrial capacity locally, the Polsten was manufactured by John Inglis & Company in Canada who built the guns in a variety of double, triple, and quad-mounts. | ||
| − | The guns were first adopted by the British 21st Army Group in January 1944 as their standard | + | The guns were first adopted by the British 21st Army Group in January 1944 as their standard 20 mm to simplify logistics. It would go on to serve in anti-aircraft platoons of Commonwealth forces. The Polsten notably served as an aircraft anti-aircraft gun during Operation Market Garden and would continue to serve into the 1950s in Polish and Commonwealth service. In Australia, it was produced by General Motors Holden during World War II serving in towed anti-aircraft guns and mounted them coastal boats. A variety of self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicles were built using the Polsten guns. Notably, the Canadian armed a variant of the Grizzly tank called the [[Skink]] but only three prototypes were built due to the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) being effectively destroyed by 1944. It was also used on British variants of the LVT amphibious tractor, SPAA variants of the [[Cromwell (Family)|Cromwell]], and in a separate mount on early models of the [[Centurion (Family)|Centurion]] main battle tank. |
== Media == | == Media == | ||
| − | '' | + | {{Youtube-gallery|SuAhpzBlfBs|'''The POLSTEN Quad Anti-Aircraft Gun''' - ''The Australian Armour and Artillery Museum'' |
| + | }} | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
| − | + | ;Related development | |
| + | * [[20 mm/70 Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm)]] | ||
| − | * | + | ;Weapons of similar caliber and role |
| − | * | + | * [[FlaK38 (20 mm)]] |
| + | * [[Scotti-IF 20/70 mod.41 (20 mm)]] | ||
| + | * [[Type 98 (20 mm)]] | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
| − | |||
| − | * | + | * [[Wikipedia:20_mm_Polsten|[Wikipedia] 20 mm Polsten]] |
| − | |||
{{Britain and USA anti-aircraft guns}} | {{Britain and USA anti-aircraft guns}} | ||
[[Category:Anti-aircraft guns]] | [[Category:Anti-aircraft guns]] | ||
Latest revision as of 10:15, 9 July 2024
Contents
Description
The Polsten is a 20 mm autocannon, developed as a simplified version of the 20 mm Oerlikon Mk.II. Although being cheaper than its predecessor, the Polsten would function nearly identically and serve primarily in the anti-aircraft role, mounted in towed gun mounts, self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicles, and naval vessels.
Players who have experience with the 20 mm Oerlikon Mk.II will be familiar with the operation of this weapon and its characteristics. It offers a fair amount of damage against aircraft, although its ballistics and firerate may not be favorable against fast-flying aircraft.
Vehicles equipped with this weapon
General info
Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the cannon or machine gun.
Available ammunition
Describe the shells that are available for the weapon and their features and purpose. If it concerns autocannons or machine guns, write about different ammo belts and what is inside (which types of shells).
Comparison with analogues
Give a comparative description of cannons/machine guns that have firepower equal to this weapon.
Usage in battles
Describe the cannon/machine gun in the game - its distinctive features, tactics of usage against notable opponents. Please don't write a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought.
Pros and cons
Summarise and briefly evaluate the weaponry in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark pros and cons as a list.
Pros:
Cons:
History
The Polsten is Polish 20-millimeter anti-aircraft gun derived from the Swiss 20 mm Oerlikon. Development began in 1939 when Polish engineers began working on a simplified version of the Oerlikon anti-aircraft gun that was just as effective. The development hit a snag when Germany invaded in September 1939, which resulted in the designers fleeing to Britain where they continued development with a team including local engineers and Czech designers. The end result used 119 parts and cost between 60 and 90 British pounds compared to the 250 rounds and cost of 150 pounds of an Oerlikon. They also had 30 rounds box magazines alongside the 60-round drum mags used by the Oerlikon. Due to a lack of industrial capacity locally, the Polsten was manufactured by John Inglis & Company in Canada who built the guns in a variety of double, triple, and quad-mounts.
The guns were first adopted by the British 21st Army Group in January 1944 as their standard 20 mm to simplify logistics. It would go on to serve in anti-aircraft platoons of Commonwealth forces. The Polsten notably served as an aircraft anti-aircraft gun during Operation Market Garden and would continue to serve into the 1950s in Polish and Commonwealth service. In Australia, it was produced by General Motors Holden during World War II serving in towed anti-aircraft guns and mounted them coastal boats. A variety of self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicles were built using the Polsten guns. Notably, the Canadian armed a variant of the Grizzly tank called the Skink but only three prototypes were built due to the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) being effectively destroyed by 1944. It was also used on British variants of the LVT amphibious tractor, SPAA variants of the Cromwell, and in a separate mount on early models of the Centurion main battle tank.
Media
See also
- Related development
- Weapons of similar caliber and role
External links
| Britain and USA anti-aircraft guns | |
|---|---|
| 7.92 mm | BESA |
| 12.7 mm | M2HB |
| 20 mm | GAI C01 · M168 · Oerlikon Mk.II · Polsten |
| 25 mm | GAU-12U |
| 30 mm | HSS 831L |
| 35 mm | GA-35 |
| 37 mm | M1A2 |
| 40 mm | Bofors L/60 · Dual Automatic Gun M2 · M266 |
| Foreign: | |
| 23 mm | ZU-23 (USSR) |
| 35 mm | Oerlikon KDA (Swiss) |
