Nahkampfkanone 2 Explained

Nahkampfkanone 2
Origin:Switzerland
Type:light tank destroyer
Is Vehicle:yes
Is Uk:no
Service:1946 - 1947
Used By:Switzerland
Design Date:1946
Manufacturer:Georg Fischer, Berna at Olten & Saurer
Number:1
Variants:A1, A2, B1, B2
Weight:24 tonnes
Length:5.24m (17.19feet)
Width:2.85m (09.35feet)
Height:2.15m (07.05feet)
Crew:5
Armour:80 mm
Primary Armament:L/49 75mm Pak with 45 rounds
Engine:90° V12 cylinder four-stroke Saurer CV1DL
Engine Power:280 hp
Suspension:leaf springs
Speed:50km/h
off-road:25km/h

Nahkampfkanone 2 is a prototype tank destroyer of Swiss design.

History and development

The hull and the superstructure were made of cast steel by the Georg Fischer AG. The construction of the chassis was by Saurer in Arbon, the assembly of the chassis at Berna in Olten and the design and installation of the gun of the K + W in Thun. Driver, commander and the horizontal gunner sat side left, right vertical gunner and loader. The gun was mounted in a hull based superstructure and had only a limited traverse arc, so the entire vehicle had to be turned onto the target before the gun itself could be aimed. The gun barrel could be retracted for travel.

Four different types (A1, A2, B1, B2) were planned, but one prototype was made and that did not see service; only driving tests were made in Thun from 1946 to 1947 for testing in troop deployment. Development was stopped in 1947.

The prototype is on display at the tank museum in Thun.

See also

References