Handheld FlAK30 cannon practicalities

[Vynticator]

In my Supers 1930s campaign a normal-sized PC with ST30 is looking for some monster firepower. He more than meets the ST24 minimum requirement for the FlAK 30 anti-aircraft cannon. What alterations would be needed to wield the thing as an oversized rifle, handheld?

[Nereidalbel]

Remove the platform, any shielding, and just have the barrel, trigger, and reconfigure the loading mechanism, since a belt would be a bit impractical.

[Fred Brackin]

Originally Posted by Nereidalbel

Remove the platform, any shielding, and just have the barrel, trigger, and reconfigure the loading mechanism, since a belt would be a bit impractical.

Also weld on a grip or two and a stock.

I saw a M1919 (ST17M in HY) altered for hand use on Sons of Guns (_Big_ dude, served on a SWAT ream). It was stock, pistol grip plus shorteneing the barrel to lower Bulk for the sake of convenience.

You can use ammo belts. Modern SAWS do. You just may want a carrier for the belts under the gun.

[vicky_molokh]

The army of one perk.

[nondescript handle]

The 2cm FLAK 30 had a 20 round magazine (not belt fed) and, in many (esp. naval) mountings, these double shoulder 'stocks' to aim the weapon.
My guess is that one would realistically need some kind of extra grip from the trunnions back to where one could reach it.

But IMHO realistically the thing is much to big to be wielded by a normal sized person even if super strong.
Here is a picture of one on a simple post mounting besides a (presumably) normal sized person:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...achtposten.jpg

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by nondescript handle

But IMHO realistically the thing is much to big to be wielded by a normal sized person even if super strong.

You probably can shorten the barrel quite a bit.

[Nereidalbel]

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

You probably can shorten the barrel quite a bit.

Especially since you're targeting things much, much closer than aircraft.

[nondescript handle]

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

You probably can shorten the barrel quite a bit.

I was more concerned with being so extremely front-heavy.

But I guess it depends on how close the physics of that supers setting resemble ours. In a four color 'Superman' setting where you can grab the barrel of a tank and lift it, and stay on your feet, it is obviously not a problem.

In a more earth like setting I would make more extensive modifications to the FLAK. At least turn it into a bullpub. Better would be a configuration similar to the RT-20 anti-materiel rifle with the shoulder under the trunnions.

[lexington]

Originally Posted by nondescript handle

I was more concerned with being so extremely front-heavy.

But I guess it depends on how close the physics of that supers setting resemble ours. In a four color 'Superman' setting where you can grab the barrel of a tank and lift it, and stay on your feet, it is obviously not a problem.

In a more earth like setting I would make more extensive modifications to the FLAK. At least turn it into a bullpub. Better would be a configuration similar to the RT-20 anti-materiel rifle with the shoulder under the trunnions.

Cut off half the barrel. Turn the shields into counterweights over the shoulder. It would still be awkward but not completely absurd.

[Nereidalbel]

Originally Posted by lexington

Cut off half the barrel. Turn the shields into counterweights over the shoulder. It would still be awkward but not completely absurd.

You could even extend supports to the ground with wheels to absorb some of the kick. I'd go as far as giving this a bonus to intimidation when they realize what's aimed in their general direction.