Cannone da 90/53

The Cannone da 90/53 was an Italian-designed cannon, and one of the most successful anti-aircraft guns to see service during World War II. It was used both in an anti-aircraft role and as an anti-tank gun. The designation "90/53" meant that the gun had a 90 mm caliber and a barrel 53 caliber-lengths long.

History
The Cannone da 90/53 was designed by Ansaldo, the first examples being produced in 1939. The original plan was for the gun to be manufactured in three variants:


 * the modello 41P was for static emplacement; 1087 were ordered
 * the modello 41C was to be towed; 660 were ordered
 * 57 were ordered to be mounted on heavy trucks designated autocannoni da 90/53

However Italian industry was not up to producing these quantities and by the end of production in July 1943 only 539 guns had been delivered, including 48 converted for use on the Semovente 90/53 heavy tank destroyer.

After Italy surrendered, guns captured by Germany forces were designated 9-cm Flak 41(i) or 9-cm Flak 309/1(i). Some of these guns were used for the air defence of Germany while others were kept in Italy.

In comparison to the German 8.8 cm
Comparing to the ubiquitous German 8.8 cm Flak 18/36/37, the Cannone da 90/53 had several advantages and disadvantages. In respect to range and effectiveness, the 90/53 was more comparable to the larger-caliber contemporary German 10.5 cm Flak 38.
 * The 90/53 used a single-piece barrel instead if the two-piece barrel of the 8.8 cm, simplifying production, but the benefit to a two piece barrel is that the fastest-wearing section of the barrel can be replaced, leaving the unworn part in place until it is also worn. In a single-piece barrel, the entire barrel must be replaced, even when only half of it is worn.
 * The 90/53 fired a larger shell: 10.33 kg compared to 9.2 kg.
 * The 90/53 had a higher muzzle velocity of 830 m/s, compared to 790 m/s.
 * The 90/53 had a longer range of 12,000 m against 10,600 m.
 * The 90/53 lacked the sophisticated fire control systems of the later 8.8 cm models.

Characteristics

 * Calibre: 90 mm (3.54 in)
 * Barrel length: 4.736m (15 ft 6.5 in)
 * Travelling weight: 8950 kg (19,731 lbs)
 * Weight in action: 6240 kg (13,757 lbs)
 * Elevation: -2° to +85°
 * Traverse: 360°
 * Muzzle velocity: 830 m/s (2,723 ft/s)
 * Maximum ceiling: 12,000 m (39,370 ft)
 * Shell weight: 10.33 kg (22.77 lbs)
 * Rate of fire: 19 RPM

Weapons of comparable role, performance and era

 * 8.8 cm Flak 18/36/37/41, a contemporary comparable German anti-aircraft gun
 * QF 3.7-inch AA gun contemporary British anti-aircraft gun, firing a heavier (28 lb) shell
 * 90 mm Gun M1 US equivalent
 * 85 mm air defense gun M1939 (52-K) : contemporary Soviet anti-aircraft gun