Soviet Army 76.2 mm ZIS-3 Anti-Tank Gun
The 76.2 mm ZIS-3 divisional gun was developed by the design team of A.E. Khvorosteen, E.A. Sankeen, and A.F. Gordeev. The weapon was easy to use, relatively light and manœuvrable. The ZIS-3 had a high rate of fire, and it was powerful enough to penetrate enemy tanks and assault guns of the period. It was a dual purpose gun, which also fired high explosive shells and case shot against infantry and soft targets. German troops soon knew the ZIS-3 by the nickname "Ratsch-Bumm", due to its distinctive firing and impact sound. Captured weapons and ammunition eventually found their way into German and Axis Allied formations, making the ZIS-3 an interesting model for collectors, diorama builders, and wargamers alike.
Available Scale Model Kits
- 1:35 ZVEZDA 3505
- 1:72 SKIF 208
- 1:72 UniModel UM72208 (SKIF)
- 1:76 Ostmodels R36
- 1:76 Hinchliffe 20/30
- 1:76 Milicast R15
- 1:76 MMS Models G4
- 1:87 Trident 80181
- 1:285 GHQ R13
Technical Specifications
- 76.2 mm L.54 ZIS-3 Anti-Tank Gun M.1942
- Calibre: 76.2 mm
- Barrel Length: 4115 mm (L.54)
- Length: 6100 mm
- Height: 1375 mm
- Wheel Track: 1645 mm
- Weight: 1150 kg
- Rate of Fire: 25 shots per minute
- Range: 13300 m
- Armour Penetration at 0-100 m:
- Soviet A.P.H.E. (1941) 104 mm
- Soviet H.V.A.P. (1942) 133 mm
- German A.P. (Pz.Gr.) 133 mm
- Soviet A.P.D.S. (1945) 191 mm
- German A.P.C.R. (Pz.Gr. 40) 193 mm
- Crew: 6-8 Gunners
Bibliography
- Hogg, Ian: Twentieth-Century Artillery
- Funcken, L. & F.: L’Uniforme et les Armes des Soldats de la Guerre 1939–1945, p. 121
Historical Employment
- Soviet Army, 1942–1945
Self-Propelled Mountings
- Romanian T-60 Tacam Tank Destroyer
- Romanian R-2 Tacam Tank Destroyer
The Soviet 76.2 mm ZIS-3 anti-tank gun quickly became the most numerous artillery piece on all fronts of the Great Patriotic War. The ZIS-3 fired an effective high explosive shell and it proved very successful as an anti-tank gun. Wargamers will want a section of these guns to provide their infantry with proper support.