The Nahkampfkanone 1 was an experimental Swiss tank destroyer that saw service between 1944 and 1947. Only one was ever built.

Nahkampfkanone 1
Nahkampfkanone I at Panzermuseum Thun
TypeLight tank destroyer
Place of originSwitzerland
Service history
In service1944–1947
Used bySwitzerland
Production history
Designed1943
ManufacturerBerna at Olten & Saurer
No. built1
Specifications
Mass12.5 tonnes
Length6.45 m (21 ft 2 in)
Width2.60 m (8 ft 6 in)
Height2.50 m (8 ft 2 in)
Crew5

Armour50 mm
Main
armament
75 mm cannon
later 10.5 cm howitzer
Engine6-cylinder gasoline engine
four-stroke Saurer CT1D
123 hp (92 kW)
Power/weight9.8 hp/tonne
Suspensionleaf spring
Operational
range
200 km (120 mi)
120 km off-road
Maximum speed 45 km/h (28 mph)
off-road:25 km/h (16 mph)

History and development

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The designed heralded from early experiments made between 1943 and 1944 in Switzerland in the design and construction of an armoured vehicle. The Nahkampf cannon 1 was built onto the chassis of the armoured car Panzerwagen 39, Panzer 38(t) type LTL-H CSSR armoured fighting vehicle. The chassis was extended by a roller produced by the company Berna in Olten. Since only a few parts were available, it was partially constructed using parts of armoured cars, mainly the chassis and transmissions. The armour consisted of only thin sheet metal and, in initial experiments, only a 75-millimeter cannon was installed, before future designs sported a 10.5-cm howitzer. The prototype was used by the Swiss Army with the car plate (M + number 7236).

See also

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References

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