Folland Gnat, il caccia che fu battuto dal Fiat G91

Il Folland Gnat era un aereo da addestramento e attacco leggero monomotore turbogetto ad ala a freccia prodotto dall'azienda britannica Folland Aircraft Limited negli anni cinquanta, ed utilizzato in alcune aeronautiche militari mondiali e nelle pattuglie acrobatiche Red Arrows e Yellowjacks.

Storia del progetto

Lo sviluppo dello Gnat fu svolto inizialmente per rispondere ad una specifica emessa dalla NATO nel 1956 per la fornitura di un aereo da caccia leggero.

Definito uno "Spitfire a reazione", esso ebbe problemi di messa a punto che gli impedirono di partecipare in tempo utile al concorso, ma in seguito entrò in servizio sia nella RAF (come addestratore) che in Finlandia (13 in tutto), mentre l'India ne ricevette o produsse su licenza 195, impiegati con successo nella guerra nel 1965, quando vennero definiti "Sabre-slayiers" cioè ammazza-F-86.

Con una lunghezza di circa 7,32 metri ed un'apertura alare di 9,7, un peso di circa 3.900 kg al decollo ed un motore Orpheus da 2.200 kg, gli Gnat erano davvero dei mini-caccia, progettati dall'ing. Petter della Hawker, sconcertato dal gigantismo che i moderni jet stavano mostrando (ad esempio l'English Electric Lightning) e dall'incremento dei costi. Lo Gnat è stato prodotto anche in India come HAL Ajeet. Notevoli erano la sua estrema compattezza e la maneggevolezza.

Utilizzatori:

• Finlandia Suomen ilmavoimat
• India Bhartiya Vāyu Senā
• Regno Unito  - Red Arrows aerobatic team - Yellowjacks aerobatic team
• Jugoslavia Jugoslovensko ratno vazduhoplovstvo i protivvazdušna odbrana ricevette solo due esemplari, numero di costruzione FL14 e FL17, originariamente immatricolate rispettivamente come G-39-8 e G-39-9, che vennero inventariati assumendo i nuovi numeri di registrazione 11601 e 11602. Vennero utilizzati per prove di valutazione e di volo dal VOC (centro sperimentale di volo).

Curiosità - Cinema

Il Folland Gnat è stato utilizzato come aereo protagonista del film parodia "Hot Shots!" con Charlie Sheen e Valeria Golino. Nel film, parodia del più noto "Top Gun", lo Gnat "sostituisce" l'F-14 Tomcat.

ENGLISH

The Folland Gnat is a British compact swept-wing subsonic fighter aircraft that was developed and produced by Folland Aircraft. Envisioned as an affordable light fighter in contrast to the rising cost and size of typical combat aircraft, it was procured as a trainer aircraft for the Royal Air Force (RAF) as well as by export customers, who used the Gnat in both combat and training capacities.

Designed by W. E. W. Petter, the Gnat has its origins in the preceding private venture Folland Midge. The issuing of Operational Requirement OR.303 by the British Air Ministry served to motivate the type's development; the Gnat was later submitted to meet this requirement. Its design allowed for its construction and maintenance tasks to be carried out without specialised tools, making it suitable for use in countries that had not yet become highly industrialised. The Gnat has been viewed as a major motivating factor towards the issuing of the NATO NBMR-1 requirement, which sought to make available a common strike/attack light fighter with which to equip the air forces of the various NATO members.

Although never used as a fighter by the Royal Air Force (RAF), the Gnat T.1 jet trainer variant was adopted and operated for some time. In the United Kingdom, the Gnat became well known due to its prominent use as the display aircraft of the RAF's Red Arrows aerobatic team. The Gnat F.1 was exported to Finland, Yugoslavia and India. The Indian Air Force became the largest operator and eventually manufactured the aircraft under licence. Impressed by its performance during combat, India proceeded to develop the improved HAL Ajeet, a modified variant of the Gnat. In British service, the Gnat was replaced by the Hawker Siddeley Hawk.

Development - Origins

In October 1950, WEW "Teddy" Petter, a British aircraft designer formerly of Westland Aircraft and English Electric, joined Folland Aircraft as its managing director and chief engineer. Almost immediately upon joining the firm, Petter conducted a study into the economics behind modern fighter manufacturing, and concluded that many combat aircraft entailed far too great a cost in terms of man-hours and material to be readily mass-produced during a major conflict. While the British Air Staff emphasised quality over quantity, the economics involved in the anticipated vast wartime production of many of the RAF's aircraft of the time, such as the Hawker Hunter and the Gloster Javelin interceptors, were viewed as questionable.

Petter examined the prospects for producing a more affordable but capable "light fighter", including a survey of available modern engines to power the type. Having identified suitable powerplant arrangements along with methods of making multiple key design aspects, such as the manufacturing of the fuselage and wings, more affordable, Folland promptly commenced work upon this lightweight fighter concept, financing the project using existing company funds. The light fighter project soon received the Fo-141 designation along with the name Gnat. Development of the Gnat and the specifics of its design were heavily influenced by the issuing of Operational Requirement OR.303, which sought a capable lightweight fighter aircraft. Work to develop the Gnat went ahead, irrespective of any external orders or financing; there was no funding provided to support the type's early development from any British government department, such as the Ministry of Supply.

Petter believed that a compact and simplified fighter would offer the advantages of low purchase and operational costs, and that the Gnat should be capable of being manufactured both cheaply and easily. The emergence of new lightweight turbojet engines, several of which were well advanced in their own development process, also enabled the envisioned light fighter concept to be realised. The Gnat was initially intended to be powered by a Bristol BE-22 Saturn turbojet engine, capable of generating 3,800 lbf (16.9 kN 1,724 kgp) of thrust. However, development of the Saturn was cancelled; in its place, the more capable but not immediately available Bristol Orpheus turbojet engine was adopted instead.

In order that the project would not be delayed before reaching the prototype stage, Petter's unarmed proof-of-concept demonstrator for the Gnat was instead powered by the less powerful Armstrong Siddeley Viper 101 turbojet engine, capable of generating 1,640 lbf (7.3 kN / 744 kgp) of thrust. While using a different powerplant from later-built prototypes and production aircraft, the demonstrator still used a nearly-identical airframe along with similar onboard systems so that these could be proved in advance of the Gnat itself being built. This demonstrator was designated Fo-139 Midge. On 11 August 1954, the Midge performed its maiden flight, piloted by Folland's chief test pilot Edward Tennant. Despite the low-powered engine, the compact jet was able to break Mach 1 while in a dive and proved to be very agile during its flying trials. On 20 September 1955, the Midge was destroyed in a crash, which had possibly been due to human error.

The Midge, partly due to its nature as a private venture, had only a short lifespan, however had served as a proof-of-concept demonstrator for the subsequent aircraft. It had failed to interest the RAF as a combat aircraft at that time, but officers did issue encouragement of the development of a similar aircraft for training purposes. The larger Gnat, which was being developed in parallel with the Midge, was an improved version of the original fighter design; it was differentiated by larger air intakes to suit the Orpheus engine, a slightly larger wing, and provision for the installation of a 30 mm ADEN cannon in each intake lip. The first prototype Gnat was built as a private venture by Folland. Subsequently, six further aircraft were ordered by the British Ministry of Supply for evaluation purposes. On 18 July 1955, the Folland prototype, serial number G-39-2, first flew from RAF Boscombe Down, Wiltshire.

Although the evaluation by the British brought no orders for the lightweight fighter, orders were placed by Finland and Yugoslavia. India placed a large order for the type, which included a licence for production by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Although the Gnat's development is considered a factor which motivated the Mutual Weapons Development Team to issue the NATO NBMR-1 requirement for a low level strike/attack light fighter, the Gnat itself was not evaluated in the competition, which was won by the Fiat G.91. However, the Gnat was evaluated in 1958 by the RAF as a replacement for the de Havilland Venom, as well as other light aircraft such as the BAC Jet Provost. The Hawker Hunter was selected as the eventual winner of the fly-off competition.

Trainer

Although RAF interest in the possibilities for using the Gnat as a fighter had waned, Folland identified another potential use for the type as a trainer aircraft. Accordingly, the aircraft was modified to conform with the requirements of Specification T.185D, which had called for an advanced two-seat trainer aircraft that could transition pilots between the current de Havilland Vampire T 11 and operational fighters, such as the supersonic English Electric Lightning.

Folland proposed the two-seat Fo. 144 Gnat Trainer. The trainer model featured several changes, including the adoption of a new wing with additional fuel capacity, which in turn allowed for more internal space within the fuselage to be allocated for additional equipment. A more powerful variant of the Orpheus engine was also used, while the length of the forward fuselage area was increased, and the tail surfaces were enlarged. The inboard ailerons of the fighter variant were reconfigured to an arrangement of outboard ailerons and conventional flaps. On 7 January 1958, an initial contract for 14 pre-production Gnat trainers was issued.

On 31 August 1959, the prototype Gnat Trainer conducted its maiden flight from Chilbolton airfield, Hampshire. The Ministry did not at first place a production order as they were concerned about the size and ability of the company to take on a large order. Following the take over of Folland by Hawker Siddeley Aviation (becoming the Hamble division), further orders for 30, 20 and 41 trainers were placed between February 1960 and March 1962, receiving the designation Gnat T Mk. 1. The final Gnat T.1 for the RAF was delivered in May 1965.

Further development

Folland sought to develop more capable versions of the Gnat; one of the more substantial of these proposals was tentatively designated as the Gnat Mk.5. This model was to be capable of supersonic speeds and was intended to be made available in both single-seat and twin-seat configurations, enabling its use in the trainer and interceptor role. The Gnat 5 was to be powered by either a pair of Rolls-Royce RB153R engines or two Viper 20 engines instead; in the air interceptor role, it would be also equipped with a Ferranti AI.23 Airpass radar and armed with a pair of de Havilland Firestreak air-to-air missiles. Featuring an estimated maximum speed around Mach 2 and a time to 50,000 ft of 3 minutes, Folland estimated that a prototype could be flown as early as the end of 1962 and that the Gnat 5 could be readied for operational service within four or five years.

In 1960, Maurice Brennan joined Folland as its chief engineer and director; due to Brennan's experience of variable-geometry wings, figures within Hawker Siddeley were keen to encourage the application of this expertise to the firm's designs. Under Brennan's direction, a variable geometry wing was applied to the basic Gnat 5 design to produce a pair of layouts – one tailless and one using with a conventional tail – for a multipurpose fighter/strike/trainer, designated as the Fo. 147. The design used a unique mechanism to sweep the wings; this mechanism used a combination of tracks set upon the fuselage sides, the centerline, and on the underside of the wings, and was actuated by hydraulically-driven ball screws positioned at the inner ends of the wings. The wings could be swept from 20 degrees to 70 degrees; at the 70-degree position, longitudinal control was maintained by wing tip-mounted elevons, while this was provided by a retractable canard arrangement when swept at the 20-degree position, using full auto-stabilisation. By providing trimming functionality via the canard, the necessity of a large tailplane was eliminated, which was present on alternative designs that did not feature the canard configuration.

According to Folland, the Fo. 147 was to have been capable of speeds in excess of Mach 2, being limited by the buildup of heat generated by flying at such high speeds. It had a maximum all-up weight of 18,500 lb, comparing well with the Gnat 5's more restrictive 11,100 lb maximum. According to aviation author Derek Wood, the Fo. 147: "would have provided a first-class flying test-bed for variable geometry theories...even a VG conversion of the standard Gnat Mk 2 fighter would have been an invaluable research tool". However, neither the Fo 147 or its successor, the Fo 148, would be developed to the prototype stage; the RAF showed little interest in possessing a variable geometry trainer, even when it intended to procure the General Dynamics F-111K strike aircraft.

Design

The Folland Gnat was a purpose-built light fighter aircraft, suitable as both a trainer and a combat aircraft in ground-attack and day-fighter roles. The cockpit offered many features expected in standard fighter aircraft: full pressurisation, climate control, and a Martin-Baker ejection seat.

According to Folland, the Gnat offered advantages over conventional fighter aircraft in terms of cost, man-hours, handling, serviceability, and portability. Its tricycle landing gear let it operate from austere grass airstrips, thanks to the aircraft's low weight.

The Gnat design used a conventional metal stressed-skin structure, with extensive flush-rivetting. To reduce workload and cost, intensive fabrication methods such as machining, forging, and casting were minimised. The airframe could be constructed using simple jigs without any specialised skills or tooling. The wing (for example) could be produced at a quarter of the cost, with less than one-fifth the labour, required for the wings of other contemporary fighter aircraft. Similarly, the layout and construction techniques used allow the airframe to be rapidly disassembled into its major subsections, without the use of cranes or ladders; the Gnat was vastly easier to service than most other aircraft.

Operational history

Finland

The Finnish Air Force received the first of its 13 Gnats (11 fighters and 2 photo-reconnaissance planes) on 30 July 1958. It was soon found to be a problematic aircraft in service and required a lot of ground maintenance. In early 1957 a licence agreement was reached to allow Valmet to build the Gnat at Tampere in Finland, although, in the end, none were built. On 31 July 1958, Finnish Air Force Major Lauri Pekuri, a fighter ace of the Second World War, became the first Finnish pilot to break the sound barrier while flying a Gnat at Lake Luonetjärvi.

Gnat F.1 proved initially problematic in the harsh Finnish conditions. Finland was the first operational user of Gnat F.1, and the plane still had many issues yet to be resolved. All Gnats were grounded for half a year on 26 August 1958 after the destruction of GN-102 due to a technical design error in its hydraulic system, and the aircraft soon became the subject of severe criticism. Three other aircraft were also destroyed in other accidents, with two pilots ejecting and one being killed. Once the initial problems were ironed out, the plane proved to be extremely manouevreable and had good performance in the air, but also to be very maintenance intensive. The availability of spare parts was always an issue, and its maintenance a challenge to the conscript mechanics. The Gnats were removed from active service in 1972 when the Häme Wing moved to Rovaniemi, and when the new Saab 35 Drakens were brought into use.

The Finnish Air Force serial codes for Folland Gnat were GN-100..GN-113 and its usual nickname Nutikka ("Stubby"). Several Finnish Gnat F.1s still survive either as museum pieces or memorials. One airframe, GN-113, is in private ownership.

India

The first 13 aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) were assembled at Hamble-le-Rice, they were followed by partly completed aircraft and then sub-assemblies as Hindustan Aircraft slowly took over first assembly, and then production of the aircraft. The first flight of an Indian Air Force Gnat was in the United Kingdom on 11 January 1958, it was delivered to India in the hold of a C-119, and accepted by the Air Force on 30 January 1958. The first Gnat squadron was the No. 23 (Cheetah), which converted from Vampire FB.52 on 18 March 1960 using six Folland-built Gnats. The first aircraft built from Indian-built parts first flew in May 1962. The last Indian-built Gnat F.1 was delivered on 31 January 1974.

The Gnat is credited by many independent and Indian sources as having shot down seven Pakistani Canadair Sabres in the 1965 war. while two Gnats were downed by PAF fighters. During the initial phase of the 1965 war, an IAF Gnat, piloted by Squadron Leader Brij Pal Singh Sikand, landed at an abandoned Pakistani airstrip at Pasrur and was captured by the PAF. Two Lockheed F-104 Starfighters claimed to have forced the Gnat down. This Gnat is displayed as a war trophy in the Pakistan Air Force Museum, Karachi. After the ceasefire, one Pakistani Cessna O-1 was shot down on 16 December 1965 by a Gnat.

The Gnats were used again by India in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 against Pakistan. The most notable action was the Battle of Boyra where the first dogfights over East Pakistan (Bangladesh) took place. The Indian Air Force (IAF) Gnats downed two PAF Canadair Sabres and badly damaged one. The Pakistan Air Force also claimed that one Gnat was shot down during the dogfight. Another notable dogfight involving a Gnat was over Srinagar airfield where a lone Indian pilot held out against six Sabres, lightly damaging two of the Sabres in the process, before being shot down. Gnat pilot Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was posthumously honoured with the Param Vir Chakra (India's highest gallantry award), becoming the only member of the IAF to be given the award.

By the end of 1971, the Gnat proved to be a frustrating opponent for the larger, heavier and older Sabre. The Gnat was referred to as a "Sabre Slayer" by the IAF since most of its combat "kills" during the two wars were against Sabres despite the Canadair Sabre Mk 6 being widely regarded as the best dogfighter of its era. Tactics called for Gnats taking on the Sabres in the vertical arena, where the Sabres were at a disadvantage. As the Gnat was lightweight and compact in shape, it was hard to see, especially at the low levels where most dogfights took place. Apart from air defence operations, they performed multiple roles in the Bangladesh Liberation War, including anti-shipping operations, ground attack, bomber/transport escort and close air support.

The IAF was impressed by the Gnat's performance in the two wars, but the aircraft had problems including hydraulics and unreliable control systems. To address these issues, the IAF issued a requirement for an improved "Gnat II" in 1972, at first specifying that the new version was to be optimised as an interceptor, but then expanding the specification to include the ground-attack role. Over 175 of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited-built licensed version, the Ajeet ("Unconquerable"), were produced in Bangalore. Several Gnats remain in use in private hands. Some IAF Gnats, one of which had participated in the 1971 war in East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh), were presented to the Bangladesh Air Force.

United Kingdom

The first production Gnat T.1s for the Royal Air Force were delivered in February 1962 to the Central Flying School at RAF Little Rissington. The major operator of the type was 4 Flying Training School at RAF Valley, the first aircraft being delivered in November 1962. In 1964 4 FTS formed the Yellowjacks aerobatic team with all-yellow painted Gnats. The team reformed in 1965 as part of the Central Flying School as the Red Arrows which operated the Gnat until 1979 as the RAF aerobatic demonstration team. On 14 May 1965 the last Royal Air Force Gnat T.1 to be built was delivered to the Red Arrows.

Once pilots graduated from basic training on the BAC Jet Provost and gained their wings they were selected for one of three streams: fast jet, multi-engined, or helicopter. Those selected for fast jets were posted to RAF Valley for advanced training on the Gnat T.1, typically 70 hours of flying. Students would then move on to operational training using the Hawker Hunter, followed by a posting to an operational conversion unit for the type of aircraft to be flown.

Following the introduction of the Hawker Siddeley Hawk into the training role as a replacement the Gnats were withdrawn from service. The largest operator 4 FTS retired its last Gnat in November 1978. Most of the retired Gnats were delivered to No. 1 School of Technical Training at RAF Halton and other training establishments to be used as ground training airframes. When the RAF had no need for the Gnats as training airframes they were sold off. Many were bought by private operators and a number are still flying today.

Yugoslavia

Yugoslavia ordered two Gnat F.1s for evaluation; the first aircraft flew on 7 June 1958 and both were delivered to Yugoslavia by rail. The aircraft were flown by the flight test centre but no further aircraft were ordered. One aircraft was destroyed in a crash in October 1958 while the other is preserved and on display in Serbia.

Variants:

• Fo.140 Gnat Private-venture prototype fighter, one built.
• Fo.141 Gnat Gnat F.1 Single seat lightweight fighter exported to Finland, India and Yugoslavia, 50 built by Folland at Hamble. This was also built in India under licence as the HAL Gnat.
• Gnat FR.1 One aircraft for Finland was built with three nose-mounted 70mm Vinten cameras and designated FR.1, it was joined by a Ministry of Supply aircraft purchased by Folland and modified to the same standard. Both aircraft were delivered to Finland on 12 October 1960.
• Fo.142 Gnat / Gnat F.2 This was to be an improved F.1 using a wing with a 6% thickness-to-chord ratio and powered by a Bristol Orpheus with simplified reheat (BOr.12SR), developing 8000 lbF (35.6 kN) thrust. A prototype wing was built but not mated to a fuselage or engine. It was anticipated that this would be capable of M 1.5 and have a "marked increase in rate of climb" Development was ended because Bristol declined to back development of the reheat.
• Fo.143 Gnat / Gnat F.4 Proposed improved F.2 with air intercept radar and ability to carry guided weapons, not built.
• Fo.144 Gnat Trainer / Gnat T.1 Two-seat advanced trainer aircraft for the Royal Air Force, 105 built by Hawker Siddeley.
• Gnat F.5 Proposed development from January 1960, with larger wing (and flap) area. It was to be powered by two Rolls-Royce RB153 engines with reheat. The design also considered operation from aircraft carriers.
• Fo.146 This was a two-seat design with variable geometry wings based on a combination of the Gnat Mk5 and the Gnat Trainer. It was to be powered by two Rolls-Royce RB153 engines with reheat and thrust-reversers. it was to be produced as either an advanced trainer with weapons capability or as a fighter. This, and later studies were led by Maurice Brennan.
• HAL Ajeet Indian development of the Gnat F.1
• HAL Ajeet Trainer Two-seat tandem trainer version for the Indian Air Force. This version was derived from the HAL Ajeet and differed considerably from the Gnat T.1 used by the RAF.

Accidents and incidents:

• 31 July 1956 the prototype G-39-2 crashed at Stockbridge and was destroyed after structural failure caused by tailplane flutter.
• 15 October 1958 a development F.1 XK767 fatally crashed at Stapleford, Wiltshire following presumed control failure.
• 13 April 1966 RAF Gnat T.1 XP507 of 4FTS flew into the sea on approach to RAF Valley.
• 23 August 1967 RAF Gnat T.1 XP512 abandoned overhead RAF Valley at 3,000 feet (910 m) following seizure of Hobson Unit in tailplane during previous roller landing. Instructor seriously injured; student pilot uninjured. Aircraft flew on for about five minutes in large circle before crashing on Rhosneigr beach amongst bathers but inflicted no injuries on the public.
• 26 March 1969 RAF Gnat T.1 XR573 of the Red Arrows crashed into tree during formation display practice.
• 20 January 1971 RAF Gnat T.1s XR545 and XR986 of the Red Arrows collided and both crashed during practice display flying at RAF Kemble.
• 3 September 1975 RAF Gnat T.1 XS103 of the CFS collided with an Italian Air Force Lockheed F-104 Starfighter near Leck; both aircraft landed safely but due to damage the Gnat was written off.
• 30 April 1976 two RAF Gnat T.1s XP536 and XR983 of 4FTS collided and both crashed over North Wales.
• 30 June 1976 RAF Gnat T.1 XM707 of the Red Arrows was abandoned near RAF Kemble following loss of control of tailplane.
• 10 January 1991 Shreveport, LA N3XR Folland Gnat crashed, attributed to fuel starvation. 2 fatalities. NTSB Identification: FTW91FA028
• 29 July 2013 Gnat T.1 XS105 (N18GT) crashed near Georgetown, SC, USA. The aircraft was destroyed.
• 1 August 2015, Gnat T.1 XP504 (though labelled XS111) of a Gnat display team crashed at the 'CarFest North' motoring festival at Oulton Park in Cheshire, during a display at the event; no ground injuries. Pilot Kevin Whyman died in the incident.

Surviving aircraft

Several Gnats survive including some airworthy examples (particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom) and others on public display.

Specifications (Gnat F.1)

General characteristics:

• Crew: 1
• Length: 29 ft 9 in (9.07 m)
• Wingspan: 22 ft 2 in (6.76 m)
• Height: 8 ft 10 in (2.69 m)
• Wing area: 136.6 sq ft (12.69 m2)
• Airfoil: RAE 102 modified
• Empty weight: 4,800 lb (2,177 kg)
• Gross weight: 6,575 lb (2,982 kg) interceptor
• 8,765 lb (3,976 kg) tactical, with external tanks and armament
• Max takeoff weight: 9,040 lb (4,100 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 175 imp gal (210 US gal; 800 l) in seven fuselage tanks + 25 imp gal (30 US gal; 110 l) in two optional rear fuselage tanks + two optional 66 imp gal (79 US gal; 300 l) jettisonable under-wing slipper tanks ; Maximum fuel 332 imp gal (399 US gal; 1,510 l)
• Powerplant: 1 × Bristol Siddeley BOr.2 Orpheus 701-01 turbojet engine, 4,705 lbf (20.93 kN) thrust.

Performance:

• Maximum speed: 604 kn (695 mph, 1,119 km/h) at 20,000 ft (6,096 m)
• Maximum speed: Mach 0.98
• Range: 434.5 nmi (500.0 mi, 804.7 km)
• Endurance: 1 hour 10 minutes (normal)
• 2 hours 15 minutes (max fuel)
• Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,000 m) +
• Rate of climb: 20,000 ft/min (100 m/s)
• Time to altitude: 45,000 ft (13,716 m) 5 minutes
• Take-off distance to 50 ft (15 m): 2,190 ft (668 m) (interceptor)
• Take-off distance to 50 ft (15 m): 3,780 ft (1,152 m) (tactical)
• Landing distance from 50 ft (15 m): 2,200 ft (671 m).

Armament:

• Guns: 2x 30mm ADEN cannon with 115 rpg
• Rockets: 12x 3 in (76 mm) rockets
• Bombs: 2x 500 lb (227 kg) bombs

Avionics:


• VHF radio
• Nav aids
• Gyro gunsight
• Ranging radar.

Notable appearances in media

The Gnat portrayed the fictional carrier-based "Oscar EW-5894 Phallus Tactical Fighter Bomber" flown by U.S. Navy pilots in the 1991 comedy Hot Shots!.

(Web, Google, Wikipedia, You Tube)

Il mitra sovietico PPŠ-41, in russo: Пистолет-пулемёт Шпагина 1941

Il PPŠ-41 (in russo: Пистолет-пулемёт Шпагина 1941, traslitterato: Pistolet-Pulemët Špagina 1941) è un mitra (a dispetto del nome, che classifica l'arma come pistola mitragliatrice) sovietico progettato da Georgij Špagin come alternativa al più costoso e complesso PPD-40.

Fu una delle armi più usate di tutto il secondo conflitto mondiale. Si stima che nel periodo bellico siano stati prodotti più di 6 milioni di esemplari di tale arma. Costruito per buona parte in acciaio stampato, l'arma poteva essere alimentata sia da caricatori bifilari che da caricatori a tamburo. Fu largamente usato anche dopo la seconda guerra mondiale durante la Guerra di Corea. Anche in Vietnam l'arma divenne popolare sia tra i Vietcong sia tra le forze dell'NVA e rimase in uso fino agli anni settanta.

Storia

Il progetto e la seconda guerra mondiale

Il progetto per il PPŠ-41 risale alla guerra d'inverno 1939-40 contro la Finlandia, la cui fanteria utilizzava il mitra Suomi KP-31 che risultava molto adatto negli scontri ravvicinati in ambienti boschivi o urbani. All'epoca l'Armata Rossa aveva in dotazione limitate quantità di moschetti automatici PPD-34/38 e PPD-40, ma erano armi considerate inadatte al combattimento da fanteria per la loro corta gittata, e distribuite perlopiù alla polizia e al NKVD. L'efficacia dei mitra Suomi usati nei combattimenti delle foreste innevate finlandesi costrinse l'Armata Rossa a rivedere le proprie tattiche ed emerse la necessità di un mitra efficace, poco ingombrante, facile ed economico da produrre. Venne accelerata la produzione del già esistente PPD-40, per ordine personale di Stalin, ma il Commissariato del Popolo per l'Industria Bellica (organo sovietico preposto alla produzione e progettazione di armamenti) ebbe l'ordine di sviluppare un nuovo moschetto automatico idoneo alla produzione in massa, poiché il PPD-40 richiedeva lunghe e complesse lavorazioni alla macchina utensile, con tutti i suoi pezzi fresati e torniti dal pieno.

Nell'autunno 1941 un'apposita commissione valutò vari progetti, e quello considerato più adatto era il progetto di Georgij Špagin, che prevedeva un largo impiego di parti ricavate per stampaggio alla pressa, anziché le tradizionali tornitura-fresatura: cosa al tempo rivoluzionaria per l'URSS, e che consentiva un abbattimento del 50% dei tempi di lavorazione. La produzione dell'arma cominciò nel 1941 a Mosca, sotto la supervisione di alti ufficiali del partito comunista sovietico, addetti al controllo della qualità dei prodotti.

Poche centinaia di esemplari vennero prodotti nel novembre 1941 e altri 155.000 uscirono dalle fabbriche nei cinque mesi seguenti. Per la primavera del 1942, le fabbriche erano arrivate ad un regime di produzione di 3000 armi al giorno. Il PPŠ-41 è il classico esempio di arma semplificata per permettere la produzione di massa (altri esempi sono lo Sten inglese, l'MP-40 tedesco che però è già più raffinato, o l'M3 americano). Le sue componenti (ad eccezione della canna) potevano essere facilmente realizzate anche da operai senza esperienza con la dotazione dei garage per la riparazione delle auto, così da lasciare liberi gli operai specializzati per altri incarichi. Il PPŠ-41 conta 87 parti (contro le 95 del PPD-40, il precedente mitra adottato dall'esercito sovietico) e poteva essere realizzato in sole 7,3 ore di lavoro (contro le 13,7 ore necessarie per il PPD-40). La produzione delle canne veniva accelerata utilizzando le canne dei fucili Mosin-Nagant: si tagliava a metà la canna e la si adattava al proiettile da 7,62 x 25 mm (contro il 7,62 x 54 mm utilizzato dal fucile).

L'impiego nel conflitto

Fin dalla sua introduzione in servizio il PPŠ-41 superò tutte le aspettative. Era robustissimo, estremamente affidabile e pressoché insensibile al gelo e alla polvere. Aveva una cadenza di tiro molto elevata, circa 1000 colpi al minuto (il doppio della maggior parte dei mitra dell'epoca) ed era piuttosto preciso fino a 100 metri. La cartuccia 7,62x25 era potente e precisa: anche se il proiettile era più leggero del 9x19mm Parabellum ed aveva meno impatto, era però molto più veloce ed aveva una traiettoria molto tesa che permetteva al PPŠ-41 un tiro utile fino a 200 metri.

Alle distanze ravvicinate (fino a 50 metri) che erano la norma, nei combattimenti urbani o nelle foreste, una pattuglia armata di PPŠ-41 poteva scatenare un volume di fuoco pari a quello di un'intera compagnia di fanteria armata di tradizionali fucili. Inoltre, il caricatore a tamburo da 71 colpi consentiva un'autonomia ragionevole e il peso dell'arma, unito all'ottimo calcio in legno, rendeva il tiro facile da controllare. Il caricatore a tamburo presentava qualche difetto: realizzato in lamiera di appena 1,5 mm di spessore, si piegava facilmente, il che causava inceppamenti. Inoltre, la molla interna che spingeva le cartucce era piuttosto dura da azionare e riempirlo tutto richiedeva tempo. I soldati sovietici impararono a non caricarlo con più di 60 colpi, per evitare il rischio che la molla si bloccasse. Dal 1942 furono disponibili caricatori curvi a serbatoio tradizionali da 35 colpi, e nel 1944 furono distribuiti caricatori a tamburo più robusti ed efficaci. Comunque, i militari sovietici tendevano a impiegare solo caricatori a tamburo che permettevano di sfruttare appieno le potenzialità dell'arma.

Per il successo ottenuto e gli elevatissimi numeri prodotti, il PPŠ-41 divenne immediatamente una delle icone della guerra, il simbolo del soldato sovietico così come l'MP-40 lo era del soldato tedesco e l'elmetto Mk.III del soldato britannico: interi battaglioni vennero equipaggiati in massa con quest'arma e lanciati in devastanti attacchi contro le truppe dell'Asse, soprattutto da parte di reparti di sciatori sovietici, ripetendo su scala molto più vasta le stesse tattiche impiegate dalla Finlandia e con efficacia altrettanto devastante. Il PPŠ-41 fu un'arma popolare anche tra i soldati tedeschi, e spesso i mitra catturati venivano utilizzati contro i loro precedenti proprietari. L'assoluta intercambiabilità tra i proiettili da 7,62 × 25 mm Tokarev dell'arma russa e quelli tedeschi da 7,63 × 25 mm Mauser utilizzati nella pistola C-96 permetteva al PPŠ-41 di sparare senza problemi anche questi, per cui i tedeschi potevano facilmente sopperire alla necessità di munizioni.

Dopo la cattura da parte dei tedeschi di un gran numero di PPŠ-41, partì in Germania un programma volto a convertire l'arma in modo che potesse usare il calibro standard per pistole e mitra in uso tra le forze armate tedesche, il 9 mm Parabellum. Le armi così riconvertite vennero denominate MP41(r), dove (r) sta per russisch (russo), mentre i modelli non riconvertiti MP717(r). Vennero persino distribuiti dei manuali d'uso in tedesco per le forze armate.

Non vi è dubbio che il PPŠ-41 soddisfò pienamente le aspettative dell'Armata Rossa: il suo impiego in massa, reso possibile dai moderni criteri di produzione su vasta scala, conferì ai soldati sovietici una potenza di fuoco nettamente superiore ai loro avversari. Ciò permise all'Armata Rossa di acquistare la superiorità tattica in tutte le decisive battaglie dal 1942 in poi, e di sviluppare delle tattiche di combattimento basate su assalti combinati di carri armati e fanteria munita di armi automatiche. Questa dottrina, che si rivelò vincente, fu sviluppata attorno al PPŠ-41 ed è perciò che gli storici e il pubblico, sovietici prima e russi poi, considerano il PPŠ-41, assieme al T-34 e al PPS-43, "l'arma che ha vinto la guerra".

L'adozione nel secondo dopoguerra

Dopo la seconda guerra mondiale, il PPŠ fu venduto in grandi quantità agli stati filosovietici e alle forze di guerriglia. Il Chosŏn inmin'gun e l'Esercito Popolare di Liberazione ricevettero grandi quantità di PPŠ-41 dalla Russia, utilizzati in combinazione con il Type 49 nord-coreano e il Type 50 cinese, entrambi copie dell'arma sovietica. Sebbene non preciso su lunghe distanze, l'arma si rivelò estremamente adatta ai combattimenti a breve raggio che ebbero luogo durante la guerra di Corea. Le forze delle Nazioni Unite si trovavano in difficoltà nel contrastare l'impressionante volume di fuoco dell'arma sovietica. Molti ufficiali arrivarono persino a definire il PPŠ come la migliore arma di quella guerra: pur non vantando la stessa precisione del M1 Garand o della carabina M1 Carbine, il più alto rateo di fuoco la rendeva un'arma micidiale negli scontri ravvicinati Come disse un capitano di fanteria: “in modalità automatica sparava una quantità incredibile di proiettili e molte delle perdite in Corea furono subite in scontri a breve raggio e di breve durata - dipendeva da chi riusciva a sparare più in fretta. In queste situazioni, superava qualunque arma di cui noi disponessimo. Uno scontro ravvicinato tra pattuglie terminava molto rapidamente, e in molti casi lo perdevamo proprio a causa sua”.

Il PPŠ-41 ed i suoi cloni cinesi, coreani, ungheresi e polacchi (questi ultimi realizzati meglio), fu estesamente impiegato anche durante il conflitto in Indocina del 1945-54, nelle mani dell'esercito del Viet Minh; e fu poi utilizzato nella guerra del Vietnam ed in generale nella maggior parte dei conflitti del secondo dopoguerra fino agli anni 1970.

Caratteristiche

Era un mitra a fuoco selettivo con funzionamento a massa battente ed otturatore aperto, alimentato da caricatori amovibili con proiettili 7,62 × 25 mm Tokarev prodotto con procedimenti industriali per l'epoca d'avanguardia (in URSS almeno) che prevedevano lo stampaggio e tranciatura di quasi tutti gli elementi, era costituito da un castello in acciaio incernierato alla calciatura in legno, ed il principio di funzionamento era il più semplice possibile: massa battente a rinculo diretto. Vi era un semplice ma efficace selettore di tiro, costituito da un cursore situato all'interno del ponticello, di fronte al grilletto, a due posizioni: colpo singolo/raffica.

Con un peso di circa 5,5 kg, l'arma poteva raggiungere una cadenza di fuoco teorica di 1.000 colpi al minuto, molto più alta di molti dei suoi concorrenti durante la seconda guerra mondiale. Era un'arma duratura, costruita a basso prezzo e con materiali semplici, che necessitava di poca manutenzione. Solo gli ultimi esemplari di arma cominciarono a presentare un alzo regolabile a "L", da 100 e 200 metri, mentre in precedenza vi era solo una tacca fissa tarata a 100 m. Il manicotto di raffreddamento della canna era fatto in modo da funzionare da rudimentale compensatore, per limitare l'impennamento dell'arma in fase di sparo (risultato ottenuto solo in maniera parziale) ma produceva una vistosa fiammata. Nonostante i caricatori bifilari da 35 colpi (disponibili dal 1942), la maggioranza dei soldati sovietici preferivano l'uso del caricatore a tamburo. Il principale difetto del PPŠ-41 erano il peso e l'ingombro, ben maggiori rispetto ai molto più compatti MP-40, Sten, M3, rispetto ai quali però vantava un volume di fuoco doppio, una migliore balistica e un'affidabilità senza pari.

Copiato dal finlandese KP-31, il caricatore a tamburo del PPŠ conteneva 71 colpi. Nella pratica, però, caricare l'arma con più di 60 colpi comprimeva troppo la molla interna e provocava inceppamenti ed inconvenienti. Inoltre, il caricatore a tamburo era più complesso da caricare rispetto al bifilare da 35 colpi, che divenne quindi molto comune a partire dalla sua adozione nel 1942. Pur contenendo meno cartucce, il caricatore bifilare garantiva un ulteriore punto d'appoggio per la mano.

Nonostante la presenza della sicura, il funzionamento a massa battente ed otturatore aperto comportava il rischio di fuoco accidentale nel caso di urto dell'arma contro una superficie dura.

Varianti

• Type 50: versione cinese del PPŠ-41. A differenza del modello sovietico, non era possibile l'utilizzo di caricatori a tamburo.
• Type 49: versione nordcoreana del PPŠ-41, utilizzabile solo con caricatori a tamburo
• K-50M: variante vietnamita basata sul Type 50 cinese. Il copricanna traforato è più corto del normale, è stata aggiunta l'impugnatura a pistola, il mirino originale fu sostituito con quello dell'AK-47 e l'arma presenta un calcio telescopico molto simile a quello del MAT-49 francese. I cambiamenti rendono l'arma più leggera di quasi mezzo chilo. L'arma era alimentata tramite caricatori bifilari, ma poteva utilizzare caricatori a tamburo se il calcio era completamente estratto.
• MP41(r): versione tedesca ricamerata per il 9 mm Parabellum.
• MP717(r): denominazione degli esemplari catturati dai tedeschi e alimentati con munizioni da 7,63 × 25 mm Mauser
• M-49: variante jugoslava del PPŠ-41.
• PPS-50: versione semiautomatica in calibro .22 LR prodotta dalla Pietta, con caricatori da 30 o 50 colpi. L'arma ricorda esteticamente il PPŠ ma non ne condivide le meccaniche.
• SKL-41: versione semiautomatica in calibro 9 mm del PPŠ-41 disponibile sul mercato tedesco a partire dal 2008. Oltre alle repliche dei caricatori originali, può essere alimentata tramite caricatori di MP-40.

ENGLISH

The PPSh-41 (pistolet-pulemyot Shpagina; Russian: Пистолет-пулемёт Шпагина; "Shpagin machine pistol") is a Soviet submachine gun designed by Georgy Shpagin as a cheap, reliable, and simplified alternative to the PPD-40. Common nickname is "papasha" (Russian: папаша), meaning "daddy".

The PPSh is a magazine-fed selective fire submachine gun using an open bolt, blowback action. Made largely of stamped steel, it can be loaded with either a box or drum magazine and fires the 7.62×25mm Tokarev pistol round.

The PPSh saw extensive combat use during World War II and the Korean War. It was one of the major infantry weapons of the Soviet Armed Forces during World War II. Around six million PPSh-41s were manufactured. In the form of the Chinese Type 50 (licensed copy), it was still being used by the Viet Cong as late as 1970. According to the 2002 edition of the Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II the PPSh was still in use with irregular militaries.

History

World War II

The impetus for the development of the PPSh came partly from the Winter War against Finland, where the Finnish Army employed the Suomi KP/-31 submachine gun as a highly effective tool for close-quarter fighting in forests and built-up urban areas. Its 71-round drum magazine was later copied and adopted by the Soviets for their PPD-40 and PPSh-41 submachine guns. A submachine gun, the PPD-40, was subsequently rushed into mass production in 1940, but it was expensive to manufacture, both in terms of materials and labor, because it used numerous milled metal parts, particularly its receiver. Shpagin's main idea for cost reduction was to use metal stamping for the production of most parts; that concept was revolutionary in the Soviet Union at the time. Shpagin created a prototype PPSh in September 1940, which also featured a simple gas compensator designed to prevent the muzzle from rising during bursts; this improved shot grouping by about 70% relative to the PPD.

The new weapon was produced in a network of factories in Moscow, with high-level local Party members made directly responsible for meeting production targets. A few hundred weapons were produced in November 1941 and another 155,000 were made during the next five months. By spring 1942, the PPSh factories were producing roughly 3,000 units a day. Soviet production figures for 1942 indicate that almost 1.5 million units were produced. The PPSh-41 is a classic example of a design adapted for mass production (other examples of such wartime design are the M3 submachine gun, MP 40, PPS submachine gun, and the Sten). Its parts (excluding the barrel) could be produced by a relatively unskilled workforce with simple equipment available in an auto repair garage or tin shop, freeing more skilled workers for other tasks. The PPSh-41 uses 87 components compared to 95 for the PPD-40 and the PPSh could be manufactured with an estimated 5.6 machining hours (later revised to 7.3 hours) compared with 13.7 hours for the PPD. Barrel production was often simplified by using barrels for the 7.62mm Mosin–Nagant: the rifle barrel was cut in half and two PPSh barrels were made from it after machining the chamber for the 7.62×25mm Tokarev cartridge.

After the German Army captured large numbers of the PPSh-41 during World War II, a program was instituted to convert the weapon to the standard German submachine gun cartridge – 9×19mm Parabellum. The Wehrmacht officially adopted the converted PPSh-41 as the "MP41(r)"; unconverted PPSh-41s were designated "MP717(r)" and supplied with 7.63×25mm Mauser ammunition (which is dimensionally identical to 7.62×25mm Tokarev, but slightly less powerful). German-language manuals for the use of captured PPShs were printed and distributed in the Wehrmacht. In addition to barrel replacement, converted PPSh-41s also had a magazine adapter installed, allowing them to use MP-40 magazines. The less powerful 9mm round generally reduces the cyclic rate of fire down to 800 to 750 RPM. Modern aftermarket conversion kits based on the original Wehrmacht one also exist using a variety of magazines, including Sten mags. Some enthusiasts have been able to make them work with the original Soviet drum and stick magazines, eliminating the adapter, as well as use of the more powerful 9×23mm Winchester ammo.

As standard each PPSh-41 came with two factory fitted drum magazines that were matched to the weapon with marked serial numbers. If drum magazines were mixed and used with different serial numbered PPSh-41, a loose fitting could result in poor retention and failure to feed. Drum magazines were superseded by a simpler PPS-42 box-type magazine holding 35 rounds, although an improved drum magazine made from 1 mm thick steel was also introduced in 1944.

The PPS submachine gun, an even simpler submachine gun, was later introduced in Soviet service in 1943, although it did not replace the PPSh-41 during the war.

The Soviet Union also experimented with the PPSh-41 in a close air support antipersonnel role, mounting dozens of the submachine guns in forward fuselage racks on the Tu-2sh variant of the Tupolev Tu-2 bomber.

More than five million PPSh submachine guns were produced by the end of the war. The Soviets would often equip platoons and sometimes entire companies with the weapon, giving them excellent short-range firepower. Thousands more were dropped behind enemy lines in order to equip Soviet partisans to disrupt German supply lines and communications.

Korean War

After the Second World War, the PPSh was supplied in large quantities to Soviet-aligned states and Communist guerrilla forces. The weapon was widely used during the Korean War. The Korean People's Army (KPA) and the Chinese People's Volunteer Army (PVA) fighting in Korea received massive numbers of the PPSh-41, in addition to the North Korean Type 49 and the Chinese Type 50, which were both licensed copies of the PPSh-41 with small mechanical revisions.

Though relatively inaccurate, the Chinese PPSh has a high rate of fire and was well-suited to the close-range firefights that typically occurred in that conflict, especially at night United Nations forces in defensive outposts or on patrol often had trouble returning a sufficient volume of fire when attacked by companies of infantry armed with the PPSh. Some U.S. infantry officers ranked the PPSh as the best combat weapon of the war: while lacking the accuracy of the U.S. M1 Garand and M1 carbine, it provided more firepower at short distances. As infantry Captain (later General) Hal Moore, stated: "on full automatic it sprayed a lot of bullets and most of the killing in Korea was done at very close ranges and it was done quickly – a matter of who responded faster. In situations like that it outclassed and outgunned what we had. A close-in patrol fight was over very quickly and usually we lost because of it." U.S. servicemen, however, felt that their M2 carbines were superior to the PPSh-41 at the typical engagement range of 100–150 meters.

Features

The PPSh-41 fires the standard Soviet pistol and submachine gun cartridge, the 7.62×25mm (Tokarev). Weighing approximately 12 pounds (5.45 kg) with a loaded 71-round drum and 9.5 pounds (4.32 kg) with a loaded 35-round box magazine, the PPSh is capable of a rate of about 1000 rounds per minute, a very high rate of fire in comparison to most other military submachine guns of World War II. It is a durable, low-maintenance weapon made of low-cost, easily obtained components, primarily stamped sheet metal and wood. The final production PPShs have top ejection and an L type rear sight that can be adjusted for ranges of 100 and 200 meters. A crude compensator is built into the barrel jacket, intended to reduce muzzle climb during automatic fire. The compensator was moderately successful in this respect, but it greatly increased the muzzle flash and report of the weapon. The PPSh also has a hinged receiver to facilitate field-stripping and cleaning the weapon. A chrome-lined bore enables the PPSh to withstand both corrosive ammunition and long intervals between cleaning. No forward grip or forearm was provided, and the operator generally has to grasp the weapon behind the drum magazine with the supporting hand, or else hold the lower edge of the drum magazine. Though 35-round curved box magazines were available from 1942, the average Soviet infantryman in World War II carried the PPSh with the original 71-round drum magazine.

The PPSh drum magazine holds 71 rounds. In practice, misfeeding is likely to occur with more than about 65. In addition to feed issues, the drum magazine is slower and more complicated to load with ammunition than the later 35-round box magazine that increasingly supplemented the drum after 1942. While holding fewer rounds, the box magazine does have the advantage of providing a superior hold for the supporting hand. Although the PPSh is equipped with a sliding bolt safety, the weapon's open-bolt design still presents a risk of accidental discharge if the gun is dropped on a hard surface.

Users

• bottom: PPS-43, MP 40, K-50M.

Current:

• Albania
• Angola
• North Korea: Made licensed copies under the designation "Type 49".
• Syria
• ISIS
• Russia - Novorossiyan Armed Forces: Limited usage in the beginning of War in Donbass.

Former:

• Afghanistan - Formerly in service with the Afghan Army in the 1980s. Also used by various self-defense groups.
• Austria
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Cuba
• China: Made licensed copies under the designation "Type 50".
• Czechoslovakia: Used during and after WWII until succeeded by the vz.58.
• East Germany: Used by the East German Grenztruppen and became an unofficial symbol of the force. Designated "MPi41" in DDR service the PPSh-41 was gradually replaced by the AK-47 beginning in 1960.
• Estonian partisans used captured SMGs against the Soviets in 1941.
• Finland: Used captured examples.
• Georgia: Used during civil conflicts in 1990s.
• Guinea
• Guinea Bissau: Used by the PAIGC in the Guinea-Bissau War of Independence
• Hungary: Captured and reissued PPSh-41s in the early 1940s. Produced a local version in the early 1950s called the "7.62mm Géppisztoly 48.Minta", or simply "48m".
• Iraq
• Indonesia
• Iran: Produced a local version in the 1940s with a tangent rear sight.
• Laos
• Lebanese National Movement
• Lesotho
• Mongolia
• Nazi Germany: Used captured guns, and also converted some to 9×19mm Luger under the designation "MP41r".
• Poland: It was used by the First Polish Army. After the war, it was made under license as the "7.62 mm pm wz.41" by Łucznik Arms Factory.
• Romania: Captured and reissued PPSh-41 submachine guns during 1941–1944. Made licensed copies during the 1950s at Cugir Arms Plant under the designation "PM PPȘ Md. 1952".
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• North Korea: Supplied by the USSR during the Korean War.
• South Korea: Captured from North Korean and Chinese during the Korean war.
• Soviet Union: In service with the Soviet Army in 1942.
• United States:Captured from North Korean and Chinese during the Korean war.
• North Vietnam: Viet Minh, Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army used PPSh-41 variants, including the K-50M license-built copy
• Yugoslavia: Locally produced a variant known as the M49 Submachine gun.
• Tanzania
• Zimbabwe.

Variants:

• Type 50: A Chinese-made version of the PPSh-41. Unlike its Soviet counterpart, it only accepts column-type box magazines. Although new reports have suggested that due to various drum magazine dimensions used, some can be used while others cannot be used at all.
• Type 49: A North Korean made version of the PPSh-41. This model only accepts drum-based magazines.
• K-50M: A Vietnamese-made submachine gun based on the Type 50s supplied by China during the Vietnam War. Produced between 1958 and 1964. The chief difference is that the cooling sleeve of the K-50 was truncated to three inches (76 mm) and a foresight based on that of the French MAT-49 was attached to the front of the barrel. Modifications include the addition of a pistol grip, a steel wire-made stock and the shortened barrel. The changes resulted in a weight of 3.4 kg (7.5 lb), making K-50M lighter than the PPSh-41 by 500 g (1.1 lb). The weapon uses a 35-round stick magazine, but the 71-round drum magazine can be used if the stock is fully extended.
• MP41(r): A captured PPSh-41 converted to 9×19mm Parabellum caliber for use by German forces.
• MP717(r): A captured, unconverted PPSh-41 placed in German service and supplied with 7.63×25mm Mauser ammunition
• M-49: A Yugoslavian produced variant of the PPSh-41 design, though it differs in several important ways.
• PPS-50: A semi-automatic manufactured by Pietta. A non-restricted firearm in .22LR ammunition. The box magazine holds 30 and the drum magazine holds 50. It is cosmetically similar to the PPSh-41, although the two share no other features.
• VPO-135: A semi-automatic version of the PPSh-41 from Russia.
• LTD PPSh-41: A semi-automatic-only clone of the PPSh-41. This variant with its fixed wooden stock is manufactured by Luxembourg Defence Technology for the civilian European sport shooting market.
• SKL-41: A semi-automatic version of the PPSh-41 which became available on the German market in 2008. This version is converted to fire the 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge. Aside from replicas of its original magazines, it also accepts MP 40 magazines.
• IO SR-41: A semi-automatic version of the PPSh-41 sold by American company InterOrdnance and manufactured by A. A. Arms. The barrel on this version extends past the shroud and is non-removable. Most were made of surplus PPSh parts, however many enthusiasts criticized the gun for dubious quality.
• Additional semi-auto versions for the American market made by Wiselite and TNW. They were similar to IO SR-41 but had the shroud extend along with the barrel and were much more well received quality wise.
• Šokac: A Croatian version of the PPSH-41, produced in the 1990s for use in the Croatian War of Independence. Using a metal folding stock and a square receiver, it doesn't look like a PPSH-41 appearance wise, but mechanically the gun is a copy of the PPSH-41. The Šokac was produced because of the lack of arms the Croatians were facing, and turned to producing simple small arms to fix this issue. 

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