Difference between revisions of "2 cm/65 C/38 (20 mm)"

From War Thunder Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(Added vehicle list from C/38 (20 mm), maybe should use a navigation table instead. Renamed gun and references to other renamed guns. Removed redirect links. Removed references to C/38 (20 mm))
m (Removed stat card.)
(3 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{DISPLAYTITLE:2 cm/65 C/38 (20 mm)}}
 
{{DISPLAYTITLE:2 cm/65 C/38 (20 mm)}}
<div class="ttx">
 
<div class="ttx-title">2 cm/65 C/38</div>
 
<div class="ttx-image">[[File:MG_C38.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">40 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">480 {{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">1940 - 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 2 cm/65 C/38 is a German WWII light naval anti-aircraft cannon found on many minesweepers, motor torpedo boats, destroyers, and cruisers in the German naval tech tree. It is an improved version of [[2 cm/65 C/30 (20 mm)]], which can be found on many German naval vessels, often together with the C/38. Aside from that, there are two other variants of this gun: [[2 cm/65 Flakzwilling 38 (20 mm)]], a twin mount of the C/38; and [[2 cm/65 Flakvierling 38 (20 mm)]], a quadruple mount.  
+
The 2 cm/65 C/38 is a German WWII light naval anti-aircraft cannon found on many minesweepers, motor torpedo boats, destroyers, and cruisers in the German naval tech tree. It is an improved version of [[2 cm/65 C/30 (20 mm)]], which can be found on many German naval vessels, often together with the C/38. Aside from that, there are two other variants of this gun: [[2 cm/65 Flakzwilling 38 (20 mm)]], a twin mount of the C/38; and [[2 cm/65 Flakvierling 38 (20 mm)]], a quadruple mount.
  
 
Two army versions, [[FlaK 38 (20 mm)]] and [[KwK38 (20 mm)]], can be found on some German SPAA and early light tanks, respectively.
 
Two army versions, [[FlaK 38 (20 mm)]] and [[KwK38 (20 mm)]], can be found on some German SPAA and early light tanks, respectively.
Line 29: Line 9:
 
=== 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_r301}}
+
{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with this weapon}}
* {{Specs-Link|germ_s38}}
+
 
* {{Specs-Link|germ_s38b}}
+
{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Motor torpedo boats'''}}{{Specs-Link|germ_s38}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_s38b}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_s_100_class}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_s_100_s204_lang}}
* {{Specs-Link|germ_s_100_class}}
+
 
* {{Specs-Link|germ_s_100_s204_lang}}
+
{{Navigation-Line|'''Barges'''}}{{Specs-Link|germ_sf40_schwere_flakkampffaehre}}
* {{Specs-Link|germ_sf40_schwere_flakkampffaehre|short}}
+
 
* {{Specs-Link|germ_escort_typem1943|short}}
+
{{Navigation-Line|'''Minesweepers'''}}{{Specs-Link|germ_rboot_r301}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_escort_typem1943}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_kanonenboot_k2}}
* {{Specs-Link|germ_destroyer_class1924_leopard1932|short}}
+
 
* {{Specs-Link|germ_destroyer_class1939_t22|short}}
+
{{Navigation-Line|'''Destroyers'''}}{{Specs-Link|germ_destroyer_class1924_leopard1932}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_destroyer_class1934a_1940}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_destroyer_class1936_z20}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_destroyer_class1936_z20_karlgalster}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_destroyer_class1936a_mob_z32}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_destroyer_class1936b}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_destroyer_class1939_t22}}
* {{Specs-Link|germ_kanonenboot_k2|short}}
+
 
* {{Specs-Link|germ_destroyer_class1934a_1940|short}}
+
{{Navigation-Line|'''Cruisers'''}}{{Specs-Link|germ_cruiser_admiral_hipper}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_cruiser_nurnberg}}
* {{Specs-Link|germ_destroyer_class1936_z20|short}}
+
 
* {{Specs-Link|germ_destroyer_class1936_z20_karlgalster|short}}
+
{{Navigation-End}}
* {{Specs-Link|germ_destroyer_class1936a_mob_z32|short}}
 
* {{Specs-Link|germ_cruiser_admiral_hipper|short}}
 
  
 
== 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 2 cm/65 C/38 has a barrel diameter of 20 mm, a barrel length of 1.300 m, and weighs 57.5 kg. It has a magazine size of 40 rounds and has a rate of fire of 480 rounds per minute.
+
The 2 cm/65 C/38 has a barrel diameter of 20 mm, a barrel length of 1.3 m, and weighs 57.5 kg. It has a magazine size of 40 rounds and has a rate of fire of 480 rounds per minute.
  
=== Available shells ===
+
=== Available ammunition ===
<!--''Describe the shells that are available for the cannon 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 HET:''' {{Annotation|HEF|High-explosive fragmentation}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-T|High-explosive fragmentation tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF|High-explosive fragmentation}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP|Armour-piercing}}
* 25 mm APT: AP/AP-T/AP/HEF
+
* '''20 mm APT:''' {{Annotation|AP|Armour-piercing}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP|Armour-piercing}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF|High-explosive fragmentation}}
 
 
{{notice|Not all belts listed are available on all vehicles equipped with this weapon.}}
 
  
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="7" | '''Penetration Statistics'''
+
! colspan="7" | Penetration statistics
 
|-
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
Line 67: Line 43:
 
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
 
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
 
|-
 
|-
| AP-T || 46 || 45 || 33 || 23 || 15 || 11
+
| AP || 40 || 38 || 31 || 26 || 22 || 19
 
|-
 
|-
| AP || 46 || 45 || 33 || 23 || 15 || 11
+
| AP-T || ?? || ?? || ?? || ?? || ?? || ??
 
|-
 
|-
| HEF-T || 10 || 7.5 || 7.5 || 7.5 || 6 || 6
+
| HEF || ?? || ?? || ?? || ?? || ?? || ??
 
|-
 
|-
| HEF || 10 || 7.5 || 7.5 || 7.5 || 6 || 6
+
| HEF-T || ?? || ?? || ?? || ?? || ?? || ??
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="12" | '''Shell Details'''
+
! colspan="10" | Shell details
 
|-
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Projectile Mass (kg)
+
! rowspan="2" | Velocity<br>(m/s)
! rowspan="2" | Velocity (m/s)
+
! rowspan="2" | Projectile<br>Mass (kg)
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Type
+
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay<br>(m)
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass (kg)
+
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity<br>(mm)
! rowspan="2" | TNT Equivalent (kg)
+
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse Delay (m)
+
! rowspan="2" | Normalisation at 30°<br>from horizontal
! rowspan="2" | Fuse Sensitivity (mm)
 
! rowspan="2" | Normalization at 30°
 
 
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
 
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
 
|-
 
|-
 
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
 
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
 
|-
 
|-
| AP-T || 0.148 || 785 || N/A || N/A || N/A || N/A || N/A || _° || || ||
+
| AP || 785 || 0.148 || N/A || N/A || N/A || -1.0° || 47° || 60° || 65°
 
|-
 
|-
| AP || 0.148 || 785 || N/A || N/A || N/A || N/A || N/A || _° || || ||
+
| AP-T || 785 || 0.148 || N/A || N/A || N/A || -1.0° || 47° || 60° || 65°
 
|-
 
|-
| HEF-T || 0.115 || 835 || NP 10 || 0.0062 || 0.01054 || 0.0 || 0.1 || _° || || ||
+
| HEF || 835 || 0.115 || 0.0 || 0.1 || 10.54 || 0.|| 79° || 80° || 81°
 
|-
 
|-
| HEF || 0.115 || 835 || NP 10 || 0.0062 || 0.01054 || 0.0 || 0.1 || _° || || ||
+
| HEF-T || 835 || 0.115 || 0.0 || 0.1 || 10.54 || 0.|| 79° || 80° || 81°
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 
{{notice|NP 10 is equivalent to 1.7x TNT.}}
 
  
 
=== Comparison with analogues ===
 
=== Comparison with analogues ===
<!--''Give a comparative description of cannons/machine guns, that have firepower equal to these type of weapons.''-->
+
<!-- ''Give a comparative description of cannons/machine guns that have firepower equal to this weapon.'' -->
 
Compared to other 20 mm guns within the German naval tree:
 
Compared to other 20 mm guns within the German naval tree:
  
Line 124: Line 95:
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
<!--''Describe the cannon/machine gun in the game - its distinctive features, tactics of usage against the main 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.'' -->
 
The 2 cm/65 C/38 has a very large TNT equivalent explosive mass compared to other guns of similar calibre. While the C/30 can struggle to destroy enemy boats with one magazine, thanks to the increased magazine size, the C/38 has no problems in this aspect. This, combined with the greater rate of fire over the C/30, lets the C/38 be even more effective weapon against enemy boats.
 
The 2 cm/65 C/38 has a very large TNT equivalent explosive mass compared to other guns of similar calibre. While the C/30 can struggle to destroy enemy boats with one magazine, thanks to the increased magazine size, the C/38 has no problems in this aspect. This, combined with the greater rate of fire over the C/30, lets the C/38 be even more effective weapon against enemy boats.
  
However, the 2 cm/65 C/38 is held back by its effective range of approximately 2.00 km using the 20 mm HET belt. This can be slightly increased to approximately 2.30 km using the 20 mm APT belt, although even so, hitting moving targets at such ranges can be difficult. Boats armed with 2 cm/65 C/38 should instead aim to close the distance and overwhelm enemy boats with their firepower.
+
However, the 2 cm/65 C/38 is held back by its effective range of approximately 2 km using the 20 mm HET belt. This can be slightly increased to approximately 2.3 km using the 20 mm APT belt, although even so, hitting moving targets at such ranges can be difficult. Boats armed with 2 cm/65 C/38 should instead aim to close the distance and overwhelm enemy boats with their firepower.
  
The effective range of the 2 cm/65 C/38 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/38 should aim to close the distance where they can overwhelm enemy boats with their firepower.
+
The effective range of the 2 cm/65 C/38 is approximately 2 km with the 20 mm HET belt, though if using the 20 mm APT belt, the effect range can be increased to roughly 2.3 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/38 should 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/38, 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/38, 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 ===
<!--''Summarize 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 145: Line 116:
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
<!--''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of this weapon. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle 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></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article.''-->
+
<!-- ''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>.'' -->
 
Development began in 1938 for a replacement for the Flak 30, an army version of the 2 cm/65 C/30 after issues arose in its slow rate of fire and small ammunition magazine size. Rheinmetall began production of the new gun, Flak 38, in 1939, with it entering service the same year. In 1940, a naval version, 2 cm/65 C/38, entered production and service in the Kriegsmarine, where it would replace the older 2 cm/65 C/30.
 
Development began in 1938 for a replacement for the Flak 30, an army version of the 2 cm/65 C/30 after issues arose in its slow rate of fire and small ammunition magazine size. Rheinmetall began production of the new gun, Flak 38, in 1939, with it entering service the same year. In 1940, a naval version, 2 cm/65 C/38, entered production and service in the Kriegsmarine, where it would replace the older 2 cm/65 C/30.
  
Line 160: Line 131:
  
 
== 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.'' -->
 
 
 
* [[2 cm/65 C/30 (20 mm)]]
 
* [[2 cm/65 C/30 (20 mm)]]
 
* [[2 cm/65 Flakzwilling 38 (20 mm)]]
 
* [[2 cm/65 Flakzwilling 38 (20 mm)]]
Line 170: Line 140:
  
 
== 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;''
 
* ''encyclopedia page on the weapon;''
* ''other literature.''-->
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
 
+
* [https://www.lonesentry.com/ordnance/2-cm-flak-38-a-a-a-t-gun.html [Lone Sentry<nowiki>]</nowiki> 2 cm Flak 38: A.A./A.T. Gun] - Originally published as ''Catalog of Enemy Ordnance Material'', United States Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1945, p. 136
* [https://www.lonesentry.com/ordnance/2-cm-flak-38-a-a-a-t-gun.html Lone Sentry - 2 cm Flak 38: A.A./A.T. Gun] - Originally published as ''Catalog of Enemy Ordnance Material'', United States Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1945, p. 136
+
* [http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNGER_20mm-65_c30.php [NavWeaps<nowiki>]</nowiki> 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]
+
* [[wikipedia:2_cm_Flak_30/38/Flakvierling|[Wikipedia] 2 cm Flak 30/38/Flakvierling]]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2_cm_Flak_30/38/Flakvierling Wikipedia - 2 cm Flak 30/38/Flakvierling]
 
  
 
{{Germany naval cannons}}
 
{{Germany naval cannons}}
  
 
[[Category:Naval cannons]]
 
[[Category:Naval cannons]]

Revision as of 23:15, 26 March 2020


Description

The 2 cm/65 C/38 is a German WWII light naval anti-aircraft cannon found on many minesweepers, motor torpedo boats, destroyers, and cruisers in the German naval tech tree. It is an improved version of 2 cm/65 C/30 (20 mm), which can be found on many German naval vessels, often together with the C/38. Aside from that, there are two other variants of this gun: 2 cm/65 Flakzwilling 38 (20 mm), a twin mount of the C/38; and 2 cm/65 Flakvierling 38 (20 mm), a quadruple mount.

Two army versions, FlaK 38 (20 mm) and KwK38 (20 mm), can be found on some German SPAA and early light tanks, respectively.

Vehicles equipped with this weapon

Vehicles equipped with this weapon
Motor torpedo boats  S-38 · S-38b · S-100 · S-204 Lang
Barges  SF40 Heavy
Minesweepers  R-301 · M-802 · K2
Destroyers  Leopard · Z12 Erich Giese · Z22 Anton Schmitt · Z20 Karl Galster · Z32 · Z43 · T22
Cruisers  Admiral Hipper · Nürnberg

General info

The 2 cm/65 C/38 has a barrel diameter of 20 mm, a barrel length of 1.3 m, and weighs 57.5 kg. It has a magazine size of 40 rounds and has a rate of fire of 480 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 HET: HEF · HEF-T · HEF · AP
  • 20 mm APT: AP · AP-T · AP · HEF
Penetration statistics
Ammunition Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
AP 40 38 31 26 22 19
AP-T  ??  ??  ??  ??  ??  ??
HEF  ??  ??  ??  ??  ??  ??
HEF-T  ??  ??  ??  ??  ??  ??
Shell details
Ammunition Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
Mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive Mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Normalisation at 30°
from horizontal
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
AP 785 0.148 N/A N/A N/A -1.0° 47° 60° 65°
AP-T 785 0.148 N/A N/A N/A -1.0° 47° 60° 65°
HEF 835 0.115 0.0 0.1 10.54 0.0° 79° 80° 81°
HEF-T 835 0.115 0.0 0.1 10.54 0.0° 79° 80° 81°

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 mmm max penetration) with a slower muzzle velocity (705 m/s), and it can overheat if fired for too long.
  • 2 cm/65 C/30 (20 mm): The predecessor of C/38, it has a smaller magazine size (20 rounds) and has a lower rate of fire (312 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) and have a greater muzzle velocity (844 m/s); but they have a lower rate of fire (450 rpm), and 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 has a smaller magazine (20 rounds), 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

The 2 cm/65 C/38 has a very large TNT equivalent explosive mass compared to other guns of similar calibre. While the C/30 can struggle to destroy enemy boats with one magazine, thanks to the increased magazine size, the C/38 has no problems in this aspect. This, combined with the greater rate of fire over the C/30, lets the C/38 be even more effective weapon against enemy boats.

However, the 2 cm/65 C/38 is held back by its effective range of approximately 2 km using the 20 mm HET belt. This can be slightly increased to approximately 2.3 km using the 20 mm APT belt, although even so, hitting moving targets at such ranges can be difficult. Boats armed with 2 cm/65 C/38 should instead aim to close the distance and overwhelm enemy boats with their firepower.

The effective range of the 2 cm/65 C/38 is approximately 2 km with the 20 mm HET belt, though if using the 20 mm APT belt, the effect range can be increased to roughly 2.3 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/38 should 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/38, 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
  • High rate of fire

Cons:

  • Below average muzzle velocity

History

Development began in 1938 for a replacement for the Flak 30, an army version of the 2 cm/65 C/30 after issues arose in its slow rate of fire and small ammunition magazine size. Rheinmetall began production of the new gun, Flak 38, in 1939, with it entering service the same year. In 1940, a naval version, 2 cm/65 C/38, entered production and service in the Kriegsmarine, where it would replace the older 2 cm/65 C/30.

The 2 cm/65 C/38 had the same dimensions as its predecessor, with a bore diameter of 20 mm and a barrel length of 1.300 m, while also managing to be 6.5 kg lighter at 57.7 kg total weight. Like the 2 cm/65 C/30, the gun was fully automatic and recoil-operated, and it fired the same ammunition: a HE round that weighed 0.134 kg and had a muzzle velocity of 835 m/s; and an AP round that weighed 0.148 kg and had a muzzle velocity of 800 m/s. The barrel was also of a monobloc design and could be easily removed and replaced. However, unlike its predecessor, 2 cm/65 C/38 was fed with 40-round magazines, as opposed to the 20-round magazines of the C/30, and had a cyclic rate of fire of 480 rounds per minute and an effective rate of fire of 220 rounds per minute, a noticeable improvement over the 280 rounds per minute cyclic and 120 rounds per minute effective of the C/30.

Available for the gun were three mounts: L/30, L41, LM44U. L/30 was the standard single mount for the 2 cm/65 C/38. It weighed 416 kg with the gun and was manually operated, able to depress -11° and elevate +85°. At its base was a small ammunition storage for up to five magazines, which would be manually loaded by the crew into the left side of the gun. On the right side was a bag which would catch spent casings. L41 was a single mount designed for use in the comparatively confined spaces of S-Boote. It weighed 500 kg, could only depress to -10°, and traversed with the use of a hand crank. LM44U was a special twin mount which weighed 3,600 kg total and was designed to withstand up to 200 m depths for use on submarines. The mount could depress -10° and elevate +78°. It was driven by hydraulic devices and could train at a rate of 30°/s and could elevate at a rate of 30°/s or 60°/s, set by the operator who also fired the guns using two foot pedals, one for each gun.

A highly successful configuration of the 2 cm/65 C/38 was the 2 cm Flakvierling C/38, which consisted of four guns in a quadruple mount, arrange 28 cm apart vertically and 67.4 cm apart horizontally. The Flakvierling C/38 was manually operated with two hand cranks, one for training and one for elevation, by an operator who said directly behind the guns and fired them using two foot pedals. The right-hand side guns were arranged upside-down such that ammunition would be loaded in from the right-hand side. Ammunition was manually loaded into all of the guns from each side by the crew from ammunition racks at the base and spent casings fell down the middle into a receptacle. There were versions produced with and without the gun shield. For the Flakvierling C/38, two mounts were available: L/38 and L38/43. L/38 weighed 2,150 kg with the guns, and it could depress -10° and elevate +90°; L38/43, designed in 1943 and introduced in 1944, was a 3-D stabilized L/38 mount.

The 2 cm/65 C/38 was a highly successful gun and became the standard light anti-aircraft cannon of the Kriegsmarine upon its introduction in 1940, with it being mounted on nearly every ship.

Media

An excellent addition to the article would be a video guide, as well as 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)
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)