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RUSSIAN 152MM MODEL 1937 ML-20 HOWITZER

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Russian ML-20 Model 1937 Gun Howitzer
Hidden around the back of the excellent Overloon Military Museum in Holland, we found this slightly shabby looking Soviet artillery piece.

The Russian ML-20 was also known as the 152mm Gun Howitzer Model 1937. It was one of the most important of all the counter-battery guns fielded by the Soviets during World War Two.

Like most of its counterparts, it was an amalgam of different salvaged parts. The barrel was from the 152mm 1910/34r gun whilst the carriage was from the 122mm Model 1931/37 field gun. This hybrid weapon was produced in large numbers & was widely used. It is the same weapon system that graced the SU-152 & JS152 self-propelled assault guns.

Two slightly differing carriages were made for the artillery version of the gun, one with spoked wheels for horse traction & the other with double-tyred steel wheels for towing by a tractor. In whichever case, the piece was transported in one load.

When the Germans captured large stocks of the Model 1937, they were sufficiently impressed to deploy them in their own ranks. They were then known as the 15.2cm KH 433/l(r) & were especially popular for coastal defence emplacements.

The gun was so effective, it remained in widespread use beyond World War Two - right up until 1975. An added bonus was that, like many Russian guns, it could perform a dual role. Using a heavy shot, it could be deployed for anti-tank missions, where the weight of the shot, rather than the muzzle velocity, was used to disable enemy armour.

It had a range of 17,265m (18,888 yards) & weighed 7930kg (17,485lbs).

We decided this rusting howitzer at the Dutch military museum warranted a photographic walkaround, especially as the Trumpeter kit of the same gun (Trumpeter, Ref: 02315) is out now & you may find the images useful to detail this particularly recent model kit.

Russian ML-20 Model 1937 Gun Howitzer
Russian ML-20 Model 1937 Gun Howitzer
Russian ML-20 Model 1937 Gun Howitzer
Russian ML-20 Model 1937 Gun Howitzer
Russian ML-20 Model 1937 Gun Howitzer
Russian ML-20 Model 1937 Gun Howitzer
Russian ML-20 Model 1937 Gun Howitzer
Russian ML-20 Model 1937 Gun Howitzer
Russian ML-20 Model 1937 Gun Howitzer
Russian ML-20 Model 1937 Gun Howitzer
Russian ML-20 Model 1937 Gun Howitzer
Russian ML-20 Model 1937 Gun Howitzer
Russian ML-20 Model 1937 Gun Howitzer
Russian ML-20 Model 1937 Gun Howitzer
Russian ML-20 Model 1937 Gun Howitzer
Russian ML-20 Model 1937 Gun Howitzer
Russian ML-20 Model 1937 Gun Howitzer
Russian ML-20 Model 1937 Gun Howitzer
Russian ML-20 Model 1937 Gun Howitzer
Russian ML-20 Model 1937 Gun Howitzer
Russian ML-20 Model 1937 Gun Howitzer
Russian ML-20 Model 1937 Gun Howitzer
Russian ML-20 Model 1937 Gun Howitzer
Russian ML-20 Model 1937 Gun Howitzer
Russian ML-20 Model 1937 Gun Howitzer
Russian ML-20 Model 1937 Gun Howitzer
Russian ML-20 Model 1937 Gun Howitzer
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