Model 1968 recoilless gun

{{Short description|Argentine recoilless rifle}} {{Infobox weapon |name=Modelo 1968 | image= Czekalski cañón sin retroceso.JPG | image_size = 300 |caption= |origin= Argentina |type= Recoilless rifle  |is_ranged=yes |is_bladed= |is_explosive= |is_artillery=yes |is_vehicle= |is_UK=  |service= |used_by= Argentina |wars= Falklands War  |designer= |design_date=1960s |manufacturer= Rio Tercero Military Factory |production_date=1968 |number= |variants=  |weight= {{convert|397|kg|lb|abbr=on}} |length= {{convert|4.20|m|ft|abbr=on}} |part_length= {{convert|3.00|m|ft|abbr=on}} |width= |height= {{convert|1.07|m|ft|abbr=on}} (Model 1974) |crew= 4  |cartridge=HEAT, HE |caliber= |action= |rate= 3-5 rpm |velocity= 400 m/s |range= |max_range= {{convert|9200|m|mi|abbr=on}} |feed= |sights= 4x optical<br>stadiametric rangefinder  |breech= |recoil= |carriage= |elevation=-7 to +40°<ref>ATW, p. 13</ref> |traverse=360° }} The '''Model 1968 recoilless rifle''' is a 105mm anti-tank gun<ref>{{Cite web |title=105mm M1974 |url=https://weaponsystems.net/system/1568-105mm+M1974 |access-date=2025-09-10 |website=Weaponsystems.net |language=en}}</ref> developed and employed by Argentina. The weapon has been in active service since 1968 and 150<ref>{{Cite web |title=El proyectil encontrado en Viedma sería igual a los utilizados en Malvinas |url=https://www.noticiasnet.com.ar/noticias/2021/08/05/84231-el-proyectil-encontrado-en-viedma-seria-igual-a-los-utilizados-en-malvinas |access-date=2025-09-10 |website=NoticiasNet - Informacion de Rio Negro, Patagones y la costa |language=es-AR}}</ref> were still operational with Argentine forces as of 2000.<ref>JWA, p. 25</ref>

== Description == The '''Model 1968''' is mounted on a towing carriage with wheels for transport and can be fired either with its wheels on or dismounted onto a tripod. Aiming is customarily done using the optical sight, but the weapon also includes a FAP (''Fusil Automatico Pesado'') or (''Heavy Automatic Rifle'') spotting rifle.<ref>JIW, p. 689.</ref> Ammunition for the '''Model 1968''' includes both an 11.1-kilogram (24.47 lb) high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) shell with 400 m/s muzzle velocity<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-14 |title=El cañón que recuerda los 40 años de la gesta de Malvinas llega el lunes a Villegas |website=Diario Actualidad |url=https://diarioactualidad.com/blog/2022/05/14/el-canon-que-recuerda-los-40-anos-de-la-gesta-de-malvinas-llega-el-lunes-a-villegas/ |access-date=2025-09-10 |language=es}}</ref> and a 15.6 kg (34.39 lb) HE shell being able to penetrate approximately 200mm (7.87 inches) of armor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Infantry Support and Anti-tank Weapons in Latin America: 90mm and 105mm Recoilless Rifles – Small Arms Defense Journal |url=https://sadefensejournal.com/infantry-support-and-anti-tank-weapons-in-latin-america-90mm-and-105mm-recoilless-rifles/ |access-date=2025-09-10 |language=en-US}}</ref>

The maximum range of the '''Model 1968''' is 9,200 meters with an effective range of between 1,200 and 1,800 meters<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Raies |first=Alejandra |last2=Avila |first2=Sebastian |date=2023-12-24 |title=El cañón sin retroceso Czekalski: un aporte metodológico para el estudio arqueológico de la guerra de Malvinas (1982) |url=https://revistaanuarioarqueologia.unr.edu.ar/index.php/AA/article/view/116 |journal=Anuario de Arqueología |language=es |volume=15 |issue=15 |pages=147–162 |doi=10.35305/aa.v15i15.116 |issn=2684-0138|doi-access=free }}</ref> using the optical sight with stadiametric rangefinder.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May–June 2021 |title=Small Arms Defense Journal |url=https://sadefensejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/SADJV13N3.pdf |website=sadefensejournal.com}}</ref> Like many recoilless rifles, there is a significant Backblast area from the '''Model 1968''' with a 40-meter danger zone to the rear of the weapon.

== Combat history == The '''Model 1968''' was deployed during the Falklands (Malvinas) campaign to retake Port Stanley<ref>{{Cite web |title=Infantry Support and Anti-tank Weapons in Latin America: 90mm and 105mm Recoilless Rifles – Small Arms Defense Journal |url=https://sadefensejournal.com/infantry-support-and-anti-tank-weapons-in-latin-america-90mm-and-105mm-recoilless-rifles/ |access-date=2025-09-10 |language=en-US}}</ref> and the weapon was used during Mount Longdon. The Argentine Army units which being the 7th Infantry Regiment and Argentine Marine platoons in the outer hills defending those positions used the '''Model 1968''' as a direct-fire and indirect-fire anti-tank piece against advancing British formations. One contemporary account states these rifles were used to bombard advancing 3 PARA units and even hit a British MILAN anti-tank position during the Battle of Mount Longdon. The Argentine military attempted to use it as self-propelled artillery or as a tank destroyer. At least two prototypes (one being either an IHC M5 or M9 half-track and the other a Bren carrier) were fitted with a six-cannon mount each, similar to that of the US-made M50 Ontos.

== Operators == === Current === *{{flag|Argentina}} *{{flag|Guatemala}}: 64 M-1974 guns acquired in 1982 or 1983.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://desarrolloydefensa.blogspot.com.ar/search/label/Defensa%20-%20Armamento?updated-max=2015-07-26T06:22:00-07:00&max-results=20&start=249&by-date=false |title=Armamento argentino olvidado por la historia en Centro América |website=Desarrollo y Defensa |date=30 June 2015 |language=Spanish}}</ref>

=== Former === *{{flag|Bolivia}}: 72 M-1974 guns acquired in 1981.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://servicios.infoleg.gob.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/225000-229999/228095/norma.htm |title=Decreto S 478/1981 |publisher=Boletín Oficial de la República Argentina |date=19 June 1981 |language=Spanish |accessdate=10 June 2018 }}</ref> *{{flag|Peru}}: 156 Model 1968 guns acquired in 1971.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://servicios.infoleg.gob.ar/infolegInternet/verNorma.do;jsessionid=3170E23C9D9FEFB8C3967AAC21A107F1?id=209974 |title=Decreto S 1742/1971 |publisher=Boletín Oficial de la República Argentina |date=9 June 1971 |language=Spanish}}</ref> *{{flag|Uruguay}}: 1 Model 1968 donated by Argentina to the National Navy of Uruguay in 1983.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://servicios.infoleg.gob.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/250000-254999/253106/norma.htm |title=Ley N. 22.680 |publisher=Boletín Oficial de la República Argentina |date=26 July 1983 |language=Spanish}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

=== Bibliography === * (JIW) Hogg, Ian. ''Jane's Infantry Weapons 1984-85'', London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd., 1984. * (JIW 2008) Jones, Richard, and Ness, Leland. ''Jane's Infantry Weapons 2007-2008'', Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group Ltd., 2007. * (JWA) Keymer, Eleanor. ''Jane's World Armies Issue Twenty-three'', Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group Ltd., 2000. * (ATW) Norris, John. ''Anti-tank Weapons'', London: Brassey's, 1996.

==External links== {{Commons category}} * [http://www.britains-smallwars.com/Falklands/ATB/MtLongdonWeaponA.jpg Photo of the Model 1968 in the Falklands]

Category:Artillery of Argentina Category:Recoilless rifles Category:Anti-tank weapons Category:Fabricaciones Militares