French Canon de 90mm Modele 39 COBI 2294 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Gun - World War II

You know that:

• Schneider's Modèle 39 gun was developed at the beginning of the Second World War on the basis of proven ship guns produced since 1926.
• Due to the low number of pieces produced (about 40), these guns were deployed for the defence of important sites and for anti-aircraft protection of large French cities.
• The modern design of the hydropneumatic locking system showed high accuracy of repeated firing.
• A well-trained crew could fire up to 15 shells weighing 9.5 kg each within a minute.
• To accommodate the high weight of the gun, a special tractor was developed by the French car manufacturer Berliet. Only a few pieces were produced, which unfortunately have not survived.
• These guns played an important role during Operation Dynamo, the Battle of Dankerque, when they helped cover the mass evacuation of Allied troops from the beaches and harbour. 
• According to French historians, the importance of these guns in Operation Dynamo was so significant that it marked an important turning point in the evolution of combat operations.
• Several pieces fell into the hands of the German army, which incorporated them into its own armament under the designation Flak M.39.
• One of the few surviving pieces is now on display outside the entrance to the MUSEE DUNKERQUE 1940 in France.

Technical parameters:

• dimensions: barrel length 4 500 mm
• combat weight 5 760 kg
• transport weight 8 570 kg
• calibre 90 mm
• maximum range to target in the air 11 000 m
• maximum range on ground target 15 440 m
• muzzle velocity 810 m/s
• rate of fire 15 rounds/min.
• maximum transport speed 40 km/h
• crew of 10

From the memoirs of British sailor John Smith from Operation Dynamo:

"I was on board one of the small boats that came to the beach. It was unbelievable what was going on. There was wreckage, bodies, smoke and fire everywhere. German planes were constantly bombing and shooting at us. We had to hide under the deck or behind the railing. We tried to board as many soldiers as possible, but it was very difficult. The water was full of oil."