Posts Tagged: strv 74
Stridsvagn 74 prototype, 1957
Stridsvagn 74 prototype, 1957. Note the odd muzzle brake; as far as I know it was only used on this prototype (#701).
Photo credit: Försvarsstabens pressavdelning
Report on live fire trials against a strv 74 turret
A report from the Royal Military Academy, dated 1960-11-30, regarding live fire trials conducted against a strv 74 turret in August of 1960.
Weapons used:
- 20 mm “tube cannon” for strv 74 (a smaller gun barrel inserted into the full-size one for practice purposes), firing 20 mm spårljuspansarprojektil m/42 (a full-caliber AP tracer round)
- 37 mm anti-tank gun m/34 firing 37 mm spårljuspansarprojektil m/49 (a sub-caliber AP tracer round with a 24 mm penetrator)
- 75 mm tank gun for strv 74, firing 7,5 cm spårljuspansarprojektil m/49 (a sub-caliber AP tracer round with a 50 mm penetrator)
The report concludes that the 20 mm rounds will reliably penetrate the turret side at distances less than 300 meters, with possible penetrations up to 670 meters. The 37 mm sub-caliber rounds will reliably penetrate most of the turret except an area within 20 degrees to either side of the gun barrel at distances under 750 meters, and may be able to penetrate the gun mantlet at distances up to about 850 meters. The 75 mm sub-caliber rounds will reliably penetrate the gun mantlet with considerable behind-armor effects at distances up to at least 1400 meters and most likely significantly longer distances as well, but that has not been tested.
Archive reference: SE/KrA/0266/002/01:H/F I/43
Weapon effectiveness charts, strv 74 and strv 81 vs IS-3 and T-54
A few charts showing the effective weapon ranges and possible penetration angles for the strv 81 (Centurion mk 3) and the strv 74 when pitted against the IS-3 and the T-54. The charts have a note on them referring to what is presumably a more detailed description of these estimations but I have not been able to locate that document (yet).
Archive reference: SE/KrA/0266/002/01:H/F I/13
Note that the charts are dated 1957-10-18, but were found in a volume of documents listed as containing documents from 1956.
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Meetings at Bofors in late 1954 regarding status of current projects
Minutes from two meetings at Bofors (on 1954-09-22 and 1954-12-08) discussing the status of various projects. More specifically:
- Kv 155 (SPG; later became akv 151, even later bkan 1)
- Project 6400 (heavy tank, aka. KRV)
- FH 105 X (105 mm towed field howitzer)
- Obusier de 155 mm Modèle 50 (popularly called “Haubits F” or “Fransyskan”; a towed French howitzer license produced by Bofors)
- FAK 120 X 53 (a towed 120 mm automatic AA gun; considered by the meeting attendants to be of doubtful value)
- Lvkv fm/49 (a SPAAG)
- “Light brigade AAA”; unspecified 20 or 30 mm towed AA gun
- 75 mm L/60 gun for strv 74
- “Gjallarhorn”, speculative man-portable light anti-tank weapon
Archive reference: SE/KrA/0266/002/01:H/F I/1
Orientation regarding current projects (may 1954)
Minutes from a meeting (1954-05-04) at the arms administration’s vehicle bureau regarding the status of current projects. Mentions the “tankette” (project 6400 aka. the KRV), kv 155 (a SPG prototype that would eventually become akv 151 and then eventually bkan 1), lvkv fm/49 (a SPAAG) and the upgunning of strv m/42.
Archive reference: SE/KrA/0266/002/01:H/F I/1
Alternatives for upgunning strv m/42
Memo dated 1954-02-17 regarding options for upgunning strv m/42. Mentions both an oscillating turret and rebuilding as a tank destroyer.
Archive reference: SE/KrA/0266/002/01:H/F I/1