Swiss Flabpz 51 (AMX-13) SPAAG with twin 34 mm HSS 834

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Info N/A

 

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News, appears this SPAAG was a competing design by Hispano against Oerlikons quad 20 mm design which has floated around the internet for years.

 

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In photos below there is a twin 34mm automatic cannon by Hispano Suiza (probably designated as HS 834 or HSS 834).

Here is what Tony Williams says on that:

34 mm HSS 834 and 40 mm HSS 840: 34 x 239 and 40 x 239B ammunition.

In the early 1950s the Kriegstechnische Abteilung or KTA (Weapons Technology Section of the Swiss Defence Ministry) requested Hispano-Suiza to develop a new heavy automatic AA gun intended to replace the 34 mm Flab K 38. The resulting gun was was designed in two calibres: the HSS 834 which used an updated loading of the existing 34 mm ammunition; and the HSS 840 which used a 40 mm version of the case, with a belt added to ensure accurate headspacing. Ammunition feeding was via a linked belt or five-round clips and the cyclic rate was an impressive 450-500 rpm.

The project was shelved in the mid-1950s. Oerlikon eventually replaced the Flab K 38 with their KD series guns

The photo of the battery comes from the "Flight" of 1 June 1955. The photo of the gun on the AMX-13 chassis - from "Revue Militaire Suisse" March-April 2012.

BR