Difference between revisions of "2 cm/65 C/30 (20 mm)"

From War Thunder Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
m (U27474208 moved page MG C/30 (20 mm) to 2 cm/65 C/30 (20 mm): Gun was renamed in game)
(Available ammunition: Converted to transclusion)
 
(9 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{DISPLAYTITLE:MG C/30 (20 mm)}}
+
[[File:MG_C30.png|thumbnail|right|x250px|The 2 cm/65 C/30 on the [[R-130]].]]
<div class="ttx">
 
<div class="ttx-title">20 mm MG C/30</div>
 
<div class="ttx-image">[[File:MG_C30.png]]</div>
 
<div class="ttx-table">
 
  <div class="ttx-table-line ttx-table-head">Information</div>
 
  <div class="ttx-table-line"><span class="ttx-value">Automatic Cannon</span><span class="ttx-name">Type</span></div>
 
  <div class="ttx-table-line"><span class="ttx-value">Germany [[File:Germany_flag.png]]</span><span class="ttx-name">County of Origin</span></div>
 
  <div class="ttx-table-line ttx-table-head">General Characteristics</div>
 
  <div class="ttx-table-line"><span class="ttx-value">20 mm</span><span class="ttx-name">Diameter</span></div>
 
  <div class="ttx-table-line"><span class="ttx-value">1.30 m</span><span class="ttx-name">Length</span></div>
 
  <div class="ttx-table-line"><span class="ttx-value">20 rounds</span><span class="ttx-name">{{Annotation|Belt Capacity|Maximum capacity of ammunition belt or magazine}}</span></div>
 
  <div class="ttx-table-line"><span class="ttx-value">312 {{Annotation|rpm|rounds per minute}}</span><span class="ttx-name">Rate of Fire</span></div>
 
  <div class="ttx-table-line"><span class="ttx-value">835 m/s</span><span class="ttx-name">{{Annotation|Muzzle Velocity|Muzzle velocity of fastest round}}</span></div>
 
  <div class="ttx-table-line"><span class="ttx-value">46 mm</span><span class="ttx-name">Max Penetration</span></div>
 
  <div class="ttx-table-line ttx-table-head">Production History</div>
 
  <div class="ttx-table-line"><span class="ttx-value">Rheinmetall-Borsig</span><span class="ttx-name">Designer</span></div>
 
  <div class="ttx-table-line"><span class="ttx-value">Full Production</span><span class="ttx-name">Production Status</span></div>
 
  <div class="ttx-table-line"><span class="ttx-value">1934 - 1945</span><span class="ttx-name">Produced</span></div>
 
</div>
 
</div>
 
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
<!--''Write an introduction to the article in 2-3 small paragraphs. Briefly tell us about the history of the development and combat using the weaponry and also about its features. Compile a list of air, ground, or naval vehicles that feature this weapon system in the game.''-->
+
<!-- ''Write an introduction to the article in 2-3 small paragraphs. Briefly tell us about the history of the development and combat using the weaponry and also about its features. Compile a list of air, ground, or naval vehicles that feature this weapon system in the game.'' -->
The 20 mm MG C/30 is a German WWII light naval anti-aircraft cannon found on many motor torpedo boats, minesweepers, destroyers, and cruisers throughout the German naval tech tree. An army version, [[KwK30 (20 mm)]], can be found as the main armament of [[Pz.II C]] and [[Pz.II C (DAK)]], and an experimental version modified for aircraft usage, [[MG C/30L (20 mm)]], can be found mounted on [[He 112 A-0]]. An improved version, [[MG C/38 (20 mm)]] and [[C/38 (20 mm)]], can also be found on many German naval vessels, with both guns often found on the same vessel.
+
The 2 cm/65 C/30 is a German WWII light naval anti-aircraft cannon found on many motor torpedo boats, minesweepers, destroyers, and cruisers throughout the German naval tech tree. An army version, [[KwK30 (20 mm)]], can be found as the main armament of [[Pz.II C]] and [[Pz.II C (DAK)]], and an experimental version modified for aircraft usage, [[MG C/30L (20 mm)]], can be found mounted on [[He 112 A-0]]. An improved version, [[2 cm/65 C/38 (20 mm)]], can also be found on many German naval vessels, with both guns often found on the same vessel.
  
 
=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===
 
=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===
 
<!-- ''List out vehicles that are equipped with the weapon.'' -->
 
<!-- ''List out vehicles that are equipped with the weapon.'' -->
* {{Specs-Link|germ_rboot_r41|short}}
+
 
* {{Specs-Link|germ_rboot_r130|short}}
+
{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with this weapon}}
* {{Specs-Link|germ_s38|short}}
+
 
* {{Specs-Link|germ_s38b|short}}
+
{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Motor torpedo boats'''}}{{Specs-Link|germ_s38}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_s38b}}
* {{Specs-Link|germ_destroyer_class1934a_1944|short}}
+
 
* {{Specs-Link|germ_destroyer_class1936b|short}}
+
{{Navigation-Line|'''Motor gun boats'''}}{{Specs-Link|germ_rboot_r41}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_rboot_r130}}
* {{Specs-Link|germ_cruiser_koln|short}}
+
 
* {{Specs-Link|germ_cruiser_nurnberg|short}}
+
{{Navigation-Line|'''Destroyers'''}}{{Specs-Link|germ_destroyer_class1924_jaguar1941}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_destroyer_class1934a_1944}}
 +
 
 +
{{Navigation-Line|'''Light cruisers'''}}{{Specs-Link|germ_cruiser_karlsruhe}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_cruiser_koln}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_cruiser_leipzig}}
 +
 
 +
{{Navigation-Line|'''Heavy cruisers'''}}{{Specs-Link|germ_cruiser_admiral_graf_spee}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_cruiser_prinz_eugen}}
 +
 
 +
{{Navigation-End}}
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
<!--''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the cannon or machine gun.''-->
 
<!--''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the cannon or machine gun.''-->
The 20 mm MG C/30 has a barrel diameter of 20 mm, a barrel length of 1.300 m, and weighs 64 kg. It has a magazine size of 20 rounds and has a rate of fire of 312 rounds per minute.
+
The 2 cm/65 C/30 has a barrel diameter of 20 mm, a barrel length of 1.300 m, and weighs 64 kg. It has a magazine size of 20 rounds and has a rate of fire of 312 rounds per minute.
  
 
=== Available ammunition ===
 
=== 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).''-->
+
<!-- ''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).'' -->
 
Depending on the vehicle, there are up to three belts available. Note that Default and Universal refer to the same belt, depending on the vehicle.
 
Depending on the vehicle, there are up to three belts available. Note that Default and Universal refer to the same belt, depending on the vehicle.
  
* Default/Universal: AP-T/AP/HEF-T/HEF
+
* '''Default/Universal:''' {{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP|Armour-piercing}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-T|High-explosive fragmentation tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF|High-explosive fragmentation}}
* 20 mm HET: HEF/HEF-T/HEF/AP
+
* '''20 mm APT:''' {{Annotation|AP|Armour-piercing}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP|Armour-piercing}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF|High-explosive fragmentation}}
* 25 mm APT: AP/AP-T/AP/HEF
+
* '''20 mm HET:''' {{Annotation|HEF|High-explosive fragmentation}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-T|High-explosive fragmentation tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF|High-explosive fragmentation}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP|Armour-piercing}}
  
 
{{notice|Not all belts listed are available on all vehicles equipped with this weapon.}}
 
{{notice|Not all belts listed are available on all vehicles equipped with this weapon.}}
  
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
+
{{:{{PAGENAME}}/Ammunition|HEF-T, HEF, AP-T, AP}}
! colspan="7" | '''Penetration Statistics'''
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
 
|-
 
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
 
|-
 
| AP-T || 46 || 45 || 33 || 23 || 15 || 11
 
|-
 
| AP || 46 || 45 || 33 || 23 || 15 || 11
 
|-
 
| HEF-T || 10 || 7.5 || 7.5 || 7.5 || 6 || 6
 
|-
 
| HEF || 10 || 7.5 || 7.5 || 7.5 || 6 || 6
 
|-
 
|}
 
 
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
! colspan="12" | '''Shell Details'''
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" | Projectile Mass (kg)
 
! rowspan="2" | Velocity (m/s)
 
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Type
 
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass (kg)
 
! rowspan="2" | TNT Equivalent (kg)
 
! rowspan="2" | Fuse Delay (m)
 
! rowspan="2" | Fuse Sensitivity (mm)
 
! rowspan="2" | Normalization at 30°
 
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
 
|-
 
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
 
|-
 
| AP-T || 0.148 || 785 || N/A || N/A || N/A || N/A || N/A || _° || _° || _° || _°
 
|-
 
| AP || 0.148 || 785 || N/A || N/A || N/A || N/A || N/A || _° || _° || _° || _°
 
|-
 
| HEF-T || 0.115 || 835 || NP 10 || 0.0062 || 0.01054 || 0.0 || 0.1 || _° || _° || _° || _°
 
|-
 
| HEF || 0.115 || 835 || NP 10 || 0.0062 || 0.01054 || 0.0 || 0.1 || _° || _° || _° || _°
 
|-
 
|}
 
 
 
{{notice|NP 10 is equivalent to 1.7x TNT.}}
 
  
 
=== Comparison with analogues ===
 
=== Comparison with analogues ===
Line 100: Line 42:
 
Compared to other 20 mm guns within the German naval tree:
 
Compared to other 20 mm guns within the German naval tree:
  
* [[MG 151 (20 mm)|MG 151/20 (20 mm)]]: MG 151/20 has a larger belt size (600 rounds) and a much greater rate of fire (700 rpm); but it has a weaker AP shell (25 mmm max penetration) with a slower muzzle velocity (705 m/s), and it can overheat if fired for too long.
+
* [[MG 151 (20 mm)|MG 151/20 (20 mm)]]: MG 151/20 has a larger belt size (600 rounds) and a much greater rate of fire (700 rpm); but it has a weaker AP shell (25 mm max penetration) with a slower muzzle velocity (705 m/s), and it can overheat if fired for too long.
 
 
* [[MG C/38 (20 mm)]]: An improved 20 mm MG C/30, it has a larger magazine size (40 rounds) and has a greater rate of fire (420 rpm).
 
  
* [[C/38 (20 mm)]]: 20 mm MG C/38 with a different name, it has a larger magazine size (40 rounds) and has a greater rate of fire (420 rpm).
+
* [[2 cm/65 C/38 (20 mm)]]: An improved C/30, it has a larger magazine size (40 rounds) and has a greater rate of fire (480 rpm). The same ammunition is used.
  
* [[Flakzwilling 38 (20 mm)]]: A twin MG C/38 mount, each gun has a larger magazine size (40 rounds) and has a greater rate of fire (500 rpm).
+
* [[2 cm/65 Flakzwilling 38 (20 mm)]]: A twin C/38 mount, each gun has a larger magazine size (40 rounds) and has a greater rate of fire (500 rpm). The same ammunition is used.
  
* [[Flakvierling 38 (20 mm)]]: A quadruple MG C/38 mount, each gun has a larger magazine size (40 rounds) and has a greater rate of fire (450 rpm).
+
* [[2 cm/65 Flakvierling 38 (20 mm)]]: A quadruple C/38 mount, each gun has a larger magazine size (40 rounds) and has a greater rate of fire (480 rpm). The same ammunition is used.
  
 
Common 20 mm guns in other nations include:
 
Common 20 mm guns in other nations include:
Line 117: Line 57:
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== 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.''-->
+
<!-- ''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.'' -->
With a very large TNT equivalent explosive mass compared to other guns of a similar calibre, the 20 mm MG C/30 is an excellent weapon for destroying enemy patrol boats, especially in tier I. The only things that hold it back are its small magazine size and slow rate of fire. If firing with only one gun, despite the high damage of each hit, 20 rounds are often not enough to destroy enemy boats. Luckily, all boats armed with the 20 mm MG C/30 either also have more than one, or also have the improved variant, MG C/38. Boats with MG/30 as their main armament should angle to bring as many of them on target as possible, to guarantee that the enemy is destroyed before having to reload.
+
With a very large TNT equivalent explosive mass compared to other guns of a similar calibre, the 2 cm/65 C/30 is an excellent weapon for destroying enemy patrol boats, especially in tier I. The only things that hold it back are its small magazine size and slow rate of fire. If firing with only one gun, despite the high damage of each hit, 20 rounds are often not enough to destroy enemy boats. Luckily, all boats armed with the 2 cm/65 C/30 either also have more than one, or also have the improved variant, 2 cm/65 C/38. Boats with C/30 as their main armament should angle to bring as many of them on target as possible, to guarantee that the enemy is destroyed before having to reload.
  
The effective range of the 20 mm MG C/30 is approximately 2.00 km with the 20 mm HET belt, though if using the 20 mm APT belt, the effect range can be increased to roughly 2.30 km. Even so, hitting moving targets at such ranges can be difficult because of the relatively low muzzle velocity and the small mass of the rounds. Boats armed with 20 mm MG C/30 should instead aim to close the distance where they can overwhelm enemy boats with their firepower.
+
The effective range of the 2 cm/65 C/30 is approximately 2.00 km with the 20 mm HET belt, though if using the 20 mm APT belt, the effect range can be increased to roughly 2.30 km. Even so, hitting moving targets at such ranges can be difficult because of the relatively low muzzle velocity and the small mass of the rounds. Boats armed with 2 cm/65 C/30 should instead aim to close the distance where they can overwhelm enemy boats with their firepower.
  
The primary belt choice for this gun should be the 20 mm HET belt since it contains the highest HE:AP ratio. Several 20 APT belts should also be taken to deal with armoured targets, primarily USSR armoured river patrol boats. For destroyers and cruisers armed with 20 mm MG C/30, if the option is available, only take 20 mm HET, since the main guns can handle any armoured targets much better.
+
The primary belt choice for this gun should be the 20 mm HET belt since it contains the highest HE:AP ratio. Several 20 APT belts should also be taken to deal with armoured targets, primarily USSR armoured river patrol boats. For destroyers and cruisers armed with 2 cm/65 C/30, if the option is available, only take 20 mm HET, since the main guns can handle any armoured targets much better.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
<!--''Summarise and briefly evaluate the weaponry in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark pros and cons as a list.''-->
+
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the weaponry in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark pros and cons as a list.'' -->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
Line 134: Line 74:
 
* Below average muzzle velocity
 
* Below average muzzle velocity
 
* Slow rate of fire
 
* Slow rate of fire
* Small magazine size, 20 rounds
+
* Small magazine size (20 rounds)
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
<!--''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>.''-->
+
<!-- ''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>.'' -->
 
Beginning in 1930, Rheinmetall began development on a new light anti-aircraft cannon for the Kriegsmarine, with the Solothurn ST-5 as a base. The new design, 2 cm/65 C/30, began production in 1934 and entered service the same year. It had a bore diameter of 20 mm, a barrel length of 1.300 m, and weighed 64 kg. The gun was recoil-operated and fully automatic, and it had an air-cooled, monobloc barrel design which could be easily removed and replaced when needed.
 
Beginning in 1930, Rheinmetall began development on a new light anti-aircraft cannon for the Kriegsmarine, with the Solothurn ST-5 as a base. The new design, 2 cm/65 C/30, began production in 1934 and entered service the same year. It had a bore diameter of 20 mm, a barrel length of 1.300 m, and weighed 64 kg. The gun was recoil-operated and fully automatic, and it had an air-cooled, monobloc barrel design which could be easily removed and replaced when needed.
  
 
The 2 cm/65 C/30 could be mounted on a single mount L/30, totalling 420 kg in weight. On the L/30 mount, the gun was manually operated, and it could depress -11° and elevate +85°. Ammunition was loaded through the left side with 20-round magazines, and spent casings would be ejected out the right side into an awaiting bag. The gun had a cyclic rate of fire of 280 rounds per minute, but the small magazine size necessitated frequent stops to reload, putting the effective rate of fire to only around 120 rounds per minute. At the base of the L/30 mount was a small rack for five additional ammunition magazines. Two types of ammunition were available for the gun, HE and AP, the first of which weighed 0.134 kg and had a muzzle velocity of 835 m/s, and the latter, weighed 0.148 kg with a muzzle velocity of 800 m/s.
 
The 2 cm/65 C/30 could be mounted on a single mount L/30, totalling 420 kg in weight. On the L/30 mount, the gun was manually operated, and it could depress -11° and elevate +85°. Ammunition was loaded through the left side with 20-round magazines, and spent casings would be ejected out the right side into an awaiting bag. The gun had a cyclic rate of fire of 280 rounds per minute, but the small magazine size necessitated frequent stops to reload, putting the effective rate of fire to only around 120 rounds per minute. At the base of the L/30 mount was a small rack for five additional ammunition magazines. Two types of ammunition were available for the gun, HE and AP, the first of which weighed 0.134 kg and had a muzzle velocity of 835 m/s, and the latter, weighed 0.148 kg with a muzzle velocity of 800 m/s.
  
The 2 cm/65 C/30 was a successful design and saw widespread usage throughout Kriegsmarine as the standard light anti-aircraft cannon. However, the gun frequently jammed and was limited by its small ammunition magazine and slow rate of fire. In 1938, Rheinmetall addressed these issues with the 2 cm/65 C/38, which would replace the old 2 cm/65 C/30 where possible.  
+
The 2 cm/65 C/30 was a successful design and saw widespread usage throughout Kriegsmarine as the standard light anti-aircraft cannon. However, the gun frequently jammed and was limited by its small ammunition magazine and slow rate of fire. In 1938, Rheinmetall addressed these issues with the 2 cm/65 C/38, which would replace the old 2 cm/65 C/30 where possible.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
''An excellent addition to the article would be a video guide, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
+
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
<!--''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
+
<!-- ''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
* ''reference to the article about the variant of the cannon/machine gun;''
 
* ''reference to the article about the variant of the cannon/machine gun;''
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''-->
+
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.'' -->
  
* [[MG C/38 (20 mm)]]
+
* [[2 cm/65 C/38 (20 mm)]]
* [[C/38 (20 mm)]]
+
* [[20 mm/70 Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm)]]
* [[Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm)]]
+
* [[2 cm/65 Flakzwilling 38 (20 mm)]]
 +
* [[2 cm/65 Flakvierling 38 (20 mm)]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
<!--''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the weapon;''
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
* ''other literature.''-->
 
  
* [https://www.lonesentry.com/ordnance/2-cm-flak-30-antiaircraft-gun.html Lone Sentry - 2 cm Flak 30: Antiaircraft Gun] - Originally published as ''Catalog of Enemy Ordnance Material'', United States Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1945, p. 135
+
* [https://www.lonesentry.com/ordnance/2010/09/12/2-cm-flak-30-antiaircraft-gun/ Lone Sentry - 2 cm Flak 30: Antiaircraft Gun] - Originally published as ''Catalog of Enemy Ordnance Material'', United States Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1945, p. 135
 
* [http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNGER_20mm-65_c30.php NavWeaps - 2 cm/65 (0.79") C/30 and C/38 AA MG]
 
* [http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNGER_20mm-65_c30.php NavWeaps - 2 cm/65 (0.79") C/30 and C/38 AA MG]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2_cm_Flak_30/38/Flakvierling Wikipedia - 2 cm Flak 30/38/Flakvierling]
+
* [[wikipedia:2_cm_Flak_30,_Flak_38_and_Flakvierling_38|[Wikipedia] 2 cm Flak 30, Flak 38 and Flakvierling 38]]
  
 
{{Germany naval cannons}}
 
{{Germany naval cannons}}
  
 
[[Category:Naval cannons]]
 
[[Category:Naval cannons]]

Latest revision as of 18:42, 17 April 2024

The 2 cm/65 C/30 on the R-130.

Description

The 2 cm/65 C/30 is a German WWII light naval anti-aircraft cannon found on many motor torpedo boats, minesweepers, destroyers, and cruisers throughout the German naval tech tree. An army version, KwK30 (20 mm), can be found as the main armament of Pz.II C and Pz.II C (DAK), and an experimental version modified for aircraft usage, MG C/30L (20 mm), can be found mounted on He 112 A-0. An improved version, 2 cm/65 C/38 (20 mm), can also be found on many German naval vessels, with both guns often found on the same vessel.

Vehicles equipped with this weapon

Vehicles equipped with this weapon
Motor torpedo boats  S-38 · S-38b
Motor gun boats  R-41 · R-130
Destroyers  Jaguar · Z15 Erich Steinbrinck
Light cruisers  Karlsruhe · Köln · Leipzig
Heavy cruisers  Admiral Graf Spee · Prinz Eugen

General info

The 2 cm/65 C/30 has a barrel diameter of 20 mm, a barrel length of 1.300 m, and weighs 64 kg. It has a magazine size of 20 rounds and has a rate of fire of 312 rounds per minute.

Available ammunition

Depending on the vehicle, there are up to three belts available. Note that Default and Universal refer to the same belt, depending on the vehicle.

  • Default/Universal: AP-T · AP · HEF-T · HEF
  • 20 mm APT: AP · AP-T · AP · HEF
  • 20 mm HET: HEF · HEF-T · HEF · AP
Msg-info.png Not all belts listed are available on all vehicles equipped with this weapon.

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
HEF-T 2 2 2 2 2 2
HEF 2 2 2 2 2 2
AP-T 36 35 27 20 15 11
AP 36 35 27 20 15 11
Shell details
Ammunition Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
HEF-T 835 0.12 0 0.1 10.54 79° 80° 81°
HEF 835 0.12 0 0.1 10.54 79° 80° 81°
AP-T 785 0.15 - - - 47° 60° 65°
AP 785 0.15 - - - 47° 60° 65°

Comparison with analogues

Compared to other 20 mm guns within the German naval tree:

  • MG 151/20 (20 mm): MG 151/20 has a larger belt size (600 rounds) and a much greater rate of fire (700 rpm); but it has a weaker AP shell (25 mm max penetration) with a slower muzzle velocity (705 m/s), and it can overheat if fired for too long.
  • 2 cm/65 C/38 (20 mm): An improved C/30, it has a larger magazine size (40 rounds) and has a greater rate of fire (480 rpm). The same ammunition is used.
  • 2 cm/65 Flakzwilling 38 (20 mm): A twin C/38 mount, each gun has a larger magazine size (40 rounds) and has a greater rate of fire (500 rpm). The same ammunition is used.
  • 2 cm/65 Flakvierling 38 (20 mm): A quadruple C/38 mount, each gun has a larger magazine size (40 rounds) and has a greater rate of fire (480 rpm). The same ammunition is used.

Common 20 mm guns in other nations include:

  • Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm): 20 mm Oerlikon Mk.II, and its derivatives, have a larger magazine (60 rounds), have a greater rate of fire (450 rpm), and have a greater muzzle velocity (844 m/s); but they fire a weaker AP shell (40 mm max penetration) and a weaker HE shell (0.006525 kg TNT equivalence).
  • Type 98 (20 mm): 20 mm Type 98 has a greater muzzle velocity (844 m/s); but it has a lower rate of fire (300 rpm), and fires a weaker AP shell (40 mm max penetration) and a weaker HE shell (0.006171 kg TNT equivalence).

Usage in battles

With a very large TNT equivalent explosive mass compared to other guns of a similar calibre, the 2 cm/65 C/30 is an excellent weapon for destroying enemy patrol boats, especially in tier I. The only things that hold it back are its small magazine size and slow rate of fire. If firing with only one gun, despite the high damage of each hit, 20 rounds are often not enough to destroy enemy boats. Luckily, all boats armed with the 2 cm/65 C/30 either also have more than one, or also have the improved variant, 2 cm/65 C/38. Boats with C/30 as their main armament should angle to bring as many of them on target as possible, to guarantee that the enemy is destroyed before having to reload.

The effective range of the 2 cm/65 C/30 is approximately 2.00 km with the 20 mm HET belt, though if using the 20 mm APT belt, the effect range can be increased to roughly 2.30 km. Even so, hitting moving targets at such ranges can be difficult because of the relatively low muzzle velocity and the small mass of the rounds. Boats armed with 2 cm/65 C/30 should instead aim to close the distance where they can overwhelm enemy boats with their firepower.

The primary belt choice for this gun should be the 20 mm HET belt since it contains the highest HE:AP ratio. Several 20 APT belts should also be taken to deal with armoured targets, primarily USSR armoured river patrol boats. For destroyers and cruisers armed with 2 cm/65 C/30, if the option is available, only take 20 mm HET, since the main guns can handle any armoured targets much better.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Very high explosive mass
  • Above average AP penetration

Cons:

  • Below average muzzle velocity
  • Slow rate of fire
  • Small magazine size (20 rounds)

History

Beginning in 1930, Rheinmetall began development on a new light anti-aircraft cannon for the Kriegsmarine, with the Solothurn ST-5 as a base. The new design, 2 cm/65 C/30, began production in 1934 and entered service the same year. It had a bore diameter of 20 mm, a barrel length of 1.300 m, and weighed 64 kg. The gun was recoil-operated and fully automatic, and it had an air-cooled, monobloc barrel design which could be easily removed and replaced when needed.

The 2 cm/65 C/30 could be mounted on a single mount L/30, totalling 420 kg in weight. On the L/30 mount, the gun was manually operated, and it could depress -11° and elevate +85°. Ammunition was loaded through the left side with 20-round magazines, and spent casings would be ejected out the right side into an awaiting bag. The gun had a cyclic rate of fire of 280 rounds per minute, but the small magazine size necessitated frequent stops to reload, putting the effective rate of fire to only around 120 rounds per minute. At the base of the L/30 mount was a small rack for five additional ammunition magazines. Two types of ammunition were available for the gun, HE and AP, the first of which weighed 0.134 kg and had a muzzle velocity of 835 m/s, and the latter, weighed 0.148 kg with a muzzle velocity of 800 m/s.

The 2 cm/65 C/30 was a successful design and saw widespread usage throughout Kriegsmarine as the standard light anti-aircraft cannon. However, the gun frequently jammed and was limited by its small ammunition magazine and slow rate of fire. In 1938, Rheinmetall addressed these issues with the 2 cm/65 C/38, which would replace the old 2 cm/65 C/30 where possible.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

External links


Germany naval cannons
15 mm  MG 151
20 mm  2 cm/65 C/30 · 2 cm/65 C/38 · 2 cm/65 Flakzwilling 38 · 2 cm/65 Flakvierling 38 · MG 151/20
30 mm  MK103/38
37 mm  FlaK-Lafette C/36 · 3.7 cm FlaK-Lafette LM/42 · SK C/30 · FlaK.36 · FlaK43
40 mm  40 mm/70 MEL58 · Bofors Flak 28 · Bofors L/70 model 1948
52 mm  52 mm/55 SK L/55
88 mm  8.8 cm/76 SK C/32 · S.K.C/35 · FlaK.18 · Flak.36 · 88 mm/45 AA SK L/45 · 88 mm/45 casemate SK L/45
100 mm  100 mm/55 MLE model 53
105 mm  SK C/32 · SK C/33 AA
120 mm  L45
128 mm  12.8 cm/45 SK C/34
150 mm  150 mm/45 SK L/45 · 15 cm/48 KC/36 · 15 cm/55 SK C/28 · 15 cm/60 SK C/25
203 mm  20.3 cm/60 SK C/34
283 mm  283 mm/45 SK L/45 · 283 mm/52 SK C/28 · 283 mm/54,5 SK C/34
305 mm  305 mm/50 SK L/50
380 mm  38 cm SK L/45
  Foreign:
23 mm  ZU-23 (USSR)
25 mm  2M-3 (USSR)
30 mm  AK-230 (USSR)
37 mm  V-11 (USSR)
76 mm  76 mm/62 OTO-Melara Compact (Italy)
100 mm  100 mm/56 B-34 (USSR)