Home Ordnance Pamphlets 20-mm Anti-Aircraft Gun

20-mm Anti-Aircraft Gun

The Oerlikon · Single & Twin Mounts · Marks 2, 4, 5, 6 & 10
The 20-mm Oerlikon was the most widely fitted close-range anti-aircraft gun in the U.S. fleet of World War II. In the first year of the war the 20-mm gun and the 1.1" gun shot down the most aircraft of any gun system in the fleet. It served by the thousands, on ships of every type, until the end of the war and beyond. These Ordnance Pamphlets cover the gun and its single and twin mounts.
The Ordnance Pamphlets
Interchangeability & Ammunition

All three marks of assembled guns are interchangeable units. There is very little difference, from the operating point of view, between the Mark 2 (British) and the Marks 2 and 4 (U.S.N.). There are certain differences in the Marks 2 and 4 guns that affect interchangeability of parts; when individual parts are not interchangeable between Marks 2 and 4, the assembly or subassembly containing those parts is usually interchangeable.

For the ammunition for Guns Marks 2 and 4, refer to OP 911, Chapter 9.

The Mark 14 Gun Sight was first adapted to the 20-mm and 1.1" gun about the middle of 1942 as it became available. These were the primary air-defense weapons systems at the time.