BK 3,7
| BK 3,7 | |
|---|---|
Hans-Ulrich Rudel's Junkers Ju 87G, with twin BK 3,7 gun pods attached to the underside of the wings, in Russia 1943. | |
| Type | Aircraft mounted auto-cannon |
| Place of origin | Germany |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1942–1945 |
| Used by | Axis powers |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Rheinmetall-Borsig |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 295 kg (650 lb) |
| Length | 3,750 mm (12 ft 4 in) |
| Barrel length | 2,106 mm (6 ft 10.9 in) |
| Cartridge | 37×263mmB |
| Cartridge weight | (Shell only) APCR 405 g (14.3 oz) HE 640 g (23 oz) AT 680 g (24 oz) |
| Caliber | 37 mm (1.46 in) |
| Barrels | 1 |
| Action | Short recoil |
| Rate of fire | 160 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity | 800–1,140 metres per second (2,600–3,700 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 500 m (550 yd) |
The Bordkanone 3,7 (BK 3,7) ("on-board cannon 3.7") was a German 3.7 cm (1.46 in) anti-tank/bomber autocannon of World War II and based on the earlier 3.7 cm (1.46 in) 3.7 cm Flak 18 made by Rheinmetall.
It was mounted on Luftwaffe aircraft such as the Junkers Ju 87 G-1 and G-2; Henschel Hs 129B-2/R3; Messerschmitt Bf 110G-2/R1-3; Junkers Ju 88P-2 or P-3 and others. The cannon could be attached under the wings or the fuselage of the aircraft as self-contained gun pods with 12-round magazines. It fired Armour Piercing Composite Rigid (APCR, Tungsten-cored) ammunition or high-explosive shells at 160 rounds per minute.