24cm Kanone L46. The ghost gun

[Sturm78]

Hi all,


The only information that I have comes from Ian Hogg book "German artillery of WW2". According to Ian Hogg, this weapon was introduced in service in 1937 and only a very few were ever made. His design was very similar to a scaled-up 15cm K39, although a box trail replaced rhe earlier gun`s split-trail type. Also was used a ground platform for coast emplacement and carried electric data transmission dials for the gunlayer. For transport, the gun was divided into 3 or 4 loads.
Specifications Calibre:238mm
Length of barrel:10948mm
Traverse:360 on the platform
Elevation:-4 to +45
Weight in action: 29.14ton without platform and 44.49ton with platform
Performance firing standard 180kg HE shell: 32000m

I have never seen any photo or picture or know of any action in which this weapon participated in WW2.
Has anyone any information and/or photos-drawings of the Krupp 24cm K L46?

It is perhaps possible that actually this gun was not ever made or just reached the prototype stage.
It is possible that this gun was a rival of Rheinmetall 24cm K3 and lose the competition.
What is your opinion?

Thanks in advance. Regards Sturm78

[Martti]

I found a short description (no pictures) from Lemairesoft's site:

Enlarged version of the 150mm K 39, introduced in 1937. Its range was a bit insufficient and its handling was overly complicated. Only one battery was equipped and it was superseded by the 240K3.

Source:
http://www.lemairesoft.freehyperspace.c ... tml#116378

[Sturm78]

Hi all,

I found this video in the net: http://footage.framepool.com/en/shot/60 ... ing-cannon

I am not sure but I think that the gun is a very rare 24cm L46 Krupp gun.
The gun seems to employ ground anchors to the style of the later 21cm Mrs 18 howitzer.

The only image that I have seen of this gun is here : http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... 6#p1800582

Sturm78

[na4222]

Amazing find Sturm!!!

Many thanks for Sharing!

Nezar

[jopaerya]

Thanks Sturm78

[schwarzermai]

Hello @ all, i think the gun its to small for 24 cm, its more 15 cm - and looks for me like a 15 cm K. 18 prototype -
Uwe

[na4222]

Interesting Uwe. Maybe you're right!

Best,
Nezar

[Sturm78]

Uwe wrote
Hello @ all, i think the gun its to small for 24 cm, its more 15 cm - and looks for me like a 15 cm K. 18 prototype

Ummhhh.....It is difficult to appreciate the true size of the gun, as in the video not appear any soldier with which to compare...
The description of Ian V. Hogg of this gun matches with the gun of the image/video...

Regards Sturm78

[schwarzermai]

Hello Sturm

please use the comparison photo to the dimensions to estimate

viewtopic.php?f=70&t=111267&p=1800582&hilit=24cm+kanone+L46#p1800582

stand sheets on the side are maybe in 40 cm high, the dial pointers in 1,70 m high, the loading position in 1,90 m or from stand sheets 1,50 m

and compare the lock opening this dimensions

off course i'm not sure but it looks too small

PS: i never saw a document with diferent 24 cm gun than K 3 ..... no single one ... nothing ...
in documents from In 4 is always K 3 only.... and I./84 never get different 24 cm K. than K 3

the authors write from each other, which makes the data but not better

Uwe

[Manuferey]

A partial side view of the mysterious gun:



Still from this footage:
http://footage.framepool.com/en/shot/15 ... y-howitzer

Any idea of the nationality of the visitors? They can be seen looking at a model of the 21 cm K12 at the beginning of the footage.

Emmanuel

[peeved]

Any idea of the nationality of the visitors? They can be seen looking at a model of the 21 cm K12 at the beginning of the footage.

Hungarians.

Markus

[Manuferey]

Thank you, Markus.

Emmanuel

[EPOCH3]

Hi - Very old thread and this pertains only to a note above regarding the K3.

Equipment number 2401 = K3
Equipment number 2408 = K3/1
and
Equipment number 2410 = K3gl

Regards

[Manuferey]

Equipment number 2410 = K3gl

"gl" as in "glatt" (i.e. smooth bore) like for the 31-28 cm K5?

Emmanuel

[EPOCH3]

yes - smooth bore version was on the books at Heersewaffenamt so I assume it was something that had progressed to some degree.