3.7-inch AA Gun

Bore: 3.7-inch

Range: 13,000 yards

In service: 1942-1967

Number in Service: 76 (this only represents the number needed for the gun emplacements constructed, more were purchased).

The standard British heavy anti aircraft gun of World War Two. A large number were purchased by NZ during the war. A series of permanent gun emplacements were built in the main centres, 11 in Auckland, 6 in Wellington and one each in Lyttelton and Dunedin. The designs for the emplacements were initially standard British War Office ones, with four emplacements and a command post (termed Type-A and Type-B). After concerns were raised as to the suitability of the existing designs, a NZ based one was created. Termed Type-C the design cost less and allowed the guns to be used for both air and surface targets.

The guns installed in the emplacements were removed by the end of 1944 and put into storage. A number of guns were used for training and were used to replace older 4-inch and 6-inch guns at coastal batteries during the 1950s. After the abandonment of coastal artillery in 1957 the guns continued to be used for training into the 1960s. An example exists at the National Army Museum at Waiouru.

Click the images to enlarge. Includes two videos of anti-aircraft guns used in NZ during WW2.