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20 mm Polsten Cannon

The Polsten was a simplified version of the Oerlikon being cheaper and simpler to build. It was designed by a Polish team who escaped to Britain and continued their work. It entered service in March 1944 and was mounted on a 2 wheel carriage. An airborne version (shown here) was also produced. For D Day a triple mount was developed fitted to a tank chassis. These were later removed and mounted on a truck. It continued in service until the 1950's.

Gun

Mk 1

Carriage

Mounting Universal 20mm Gun Mk1 - with No.2 cradle for Polsten or Oerlikon
Mounting Airborne 20 mm Gun No.2 Mk2

Data

Weight - 218 Kg (gun 55 kg)
Elevation - minus 5º to plus 85º
Traverse - 360º

Performance

Muzzle velocity - 2,725 ft/sec (830 mps)
Cyclic rate - 450 rpm
Ceiling - 1,000 metres

Ammunition

Shell weight - 4.5 kg
Shell HE
Shell Armour Piercing
Loaded in a 30 round box magazine