Bofors anti-aircraft gun goes on public display for first time

Monday, 15 May 2023

Today, the National Army Museum installed a large Bofors anti-aircraft gun. The 4-metre x 2-metre gun is on public display for the first time at the Museum’s site in Chelsea, London.

The Bofors gun was a Swedish design adopted by Britain in 1938 for close-range defence against aircraft. During the Second World War, demand for anti-aircraft guns grew and the Bofors was widely produced by Allied countries including the United States and Australia.

Ian Maine, Assistant Director Collections and Programmes, National Army Museum, said:

'During conservation work, we discovered that this particular gun was made in 1943 at the Royal Ordinance Factory in Patricroft, Lancashire, (near Salford in Manchester). British-manufactured Bofors guns are scarce in preservation today, and this one bears testimony to the way Britain’s industry was increased to meet war-time demands.'

This installation of the Bofors gun coincides with the 80th anniversary of this type of gun's use in the Allied invasions of Sicily (9 July – 17 August 1943) and Italy (3 – 17 September 1943). Both campaigns can be explored further in the National Army Museum’s newly opened Conflict in Europe gallery.

Visitors can see the Bofors gun as part of a day out at the National Army Museum, which is free to enter from Tuesday to Sunday every week.