The K-61 gun is a Soviet 37-mm towed anti-aircraft gun of the interwar period and World War II. Its first prototypes were created in the late 1930s, and serial production continued in 1939-1945, ending with the release of about 20,000 copies of this weapon in the USSR. The initial speed of the rocket was in the region of 870-880 m / s, and the rate of fire reached 180 shots per minute, the maximum vertical range was 6700 meters. The first work on the K-61 gun began in 1935 with the 25 mm Bofors gun, purchased in large quantities. At first attempts were made to calibrate it to 45 mm, but eventually in 1938 it was decided to concentrate efforts on a 37 mm gun. After successful test firing in the same year (1938), the gun was adopted by the Red Army. It was an automatic wedge-lock gun powered by cartridges of 5 rounds each. It was characterized by a good rate of fire, a good firing range, and, above all: a low failure rate, good mobility on difficult terrain, and a short transition time from the base position to the combat position, which fluctuated around 25-30 seconds. ! It is estimated that this type of gun damaged or destroyed approximately 14,500 enemy aircraft during World War II. After the end of World War II, it was licensed in China, Poland and North Korea. It has also been used in many countries including Angola, Bulgaria, Bolivia, Egypt, Finland, Iraq, Israel, Malaysia and Vietnam.
