Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun ZSU-57-2 »Sparka«

Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun ZSU-57-2 »Sparka«.

ZSU-57-2 is a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun mounting two 57 mm S-68 L/69 autocannons in a large open-topped turret on the modified chassis of the T-54 medium tank. Introduced in 1955, the ZSU-57-2 was delivered in small numbers to some Soviet Army tank regiments from 1957 onwards. Production ended as early as 1960 because the ZSU-57-2, like the comparable NATO M42 »Duster«, did not perform well in combat. The ZSU-57-2 was tactically more maneuverable than the conventional 57 mm S-60 anti-aircraft gun, but due to the lack of an automated fire control system, its combat range and accuracy against aerial targets fell short of expectations. From 1965 the ZSU-57-2 was replaced by the newly introduced ZSU-23-4 »Schilka« SPAAG with integrated radar and fire control system.

Available Scale Model Kits

  • SPAAG ZSU-57-2 »Sparka«, 1:25 Angraf-Verlag 183
  • SPAAG ZSU-57-2 »Sparka«, 1:35 Armo 35008
  • SPAAG ZSU-57-2 »Sparka«, 1:35 Takom TAK2058
    • ZSU-57-2 »Büszke« Decals (Hungary), 1:35 HAD HJ35010
  • SPAAG ZSU-57-2 »Sparka«, 1:72 Armo 72027
  • SPAAG ZSU-57-2 »Sparka«, 1:72 Armada Hobby E72095
  • SPAAG ZSU-57-2 »Sparka«, 1:100 Battlefront Miniatures AARBX04
  • SPAAG ZSU-57-2 »Sparka« (Vietnam), 1:100 Battlefront VPABX05
  • SPAAG ZSU-57-2 »Sparka« (1955), 1:100 Roskopf 15
  • SPAAG ZSU-57-2 »Sparka«, 1:120 AP modely 5018
  • SPAAG ZSU-57-2 »Sparka«, 10 mm Minifigs MRV111
  • SPAAG ZSU-57-2 »Sparka«, 1:285 GHQ W8
  • SPAAG ZSU-57-2 »Sparka«, 1:300 Heroics & Ros SM38

Technical Specifications

  • ZSU-57-2 »Sparka«
  • Engine: V-12 Diesel W-54, water-cooled, with 520 HP
  • Transmission: five-speed transmission, and two planetary gearboxes
  • Speed: 50 km/h on roads, 30 km/h cross-country
  • Range: 420 km on roads, 320 km cross-country
  • Length: 8480 mm overall, hull 6220 mm
  • Width: 3270 mm
  • Height: 2710 mm, or 2750 with canvas top
  • Ground Clearance: 425 mm
  • Track Width: 580 mm
  • Weight: 28,1 t
  • Armament: two 57 mm L/69 Autocannons S-68
  • Combat Load: 300 Shells
  • Crew: Commander, Driver, Gunner, two Loaders
  • Production: 5.300 Vehicles

Historical Employment

  • Vietnam War, 1959–1975
  • Six-Day War, 1967
  • Yom Kippur War, 1973
  • Angolan Civil War, 1975–2002
  • Sino-Vietnamese War, 1979
  • Iran–Iraq War, 1980–1988
  • Lebanon War, 1982
  • First Gulf War, 1990–1991
  • Yugoslav Wars, 1991–2001
    • Ten-Day War, 1991
    • Croatian War of Independence, 1991–1995
    • Bosnian War, 1992–1995
      • Operation Deny Flight, 1993–1995
      • Operation Deliberate Force, 1995
    • Kosovo War, 1996–1999
    • NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, 1999
  • Second Gulf War, 2003
  • Syrian Civil War, 2011–

Possible Conversions

  • Serbian SPAAG ZSU-57-2s with improvised armoured roof

Bibliography

Soon after its introduction, ZSU-57-2 »Sparka« was replaced by the self-propelled anti-aircraft gun ZSU-23-4 »Schilka«. It remains in use in Algeria, Angola, Bulgaria, Cambodia, People's Republic of China, Cuba, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Hungary, Indonesia, North Korea, Mozambique, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Vietnam.

Soviet Miniatures of the Cold War