ZPU 1 Anti Aircraft machine gun system

The ZPU-1 anti aircraft machine gun system is a single barrelled 14.5 mm weapon mounted on a two wheeled, towed pneumatic-tyred carriage. The weapon which was typically fitted to this particular mount was the s a KPV 14.5 mm heavy machine gun. This is a recoil operated, fully automatic weapon system which fires from the open bolt position. The quick change barrel is air-cooled with the ammunition box on the right side. The wheels and sighting equipment are missing from the carriage of this example. There is small arms battle damage on the cradle frame. The mount is painted olive drab. The mounting displays serial number 1400160 stamped into a metal disc on the elevating handwheel, and Serial number 74243 stamped into the front face of the barrel support.

This weapon was one of a number of weapons taken by Australian special operations forces serving in Afghanistan in 2006. The weapons were originally secured in Camp Russell to be destroyed either on the firing range or as targets by the appropriate authorities.