February 1941

The Hispano-Suiza Collective Design Bureau is proud to announce production of a new Spanish Autocannon for use on vehicles and aircraft! The HS.404 fires a 20mm shell, can fire at upwards of 700-750 rounds a minute, out to a range of around 6500 meters. It's light weight means it is highly useful for a mobile sort of SPAA role, but can still be used as static defense if needed. It will be put into production for both domestic use and foreign sale.

"And so, Hispano Suiza Collective and the Republic of Spain will now unveil, the HS.404."

Applause fills the venue as a cloth is pulled off of the autocannon, which is polished to perfection and set up to show off its good looks, and its light weight, while still looking battle ready.

"And here to demonstrate how the gun is fired, the first President of the Second Republic, José Díaz Ramos!"

Applause erupts as Díaz steps out from behind a curtain. He takes the announcer off to the side for a brief word.

"This is in such poor taste, you would not believe. I'm supposed to be running a government and rebuilding Spain."

"Sorry, comrade. I think it's distasteful, too, but the guys at the design bureau were really excited when they found out about how good you are at guns."

Díaz sighs, and makes his way over to the gun, grumbling about how he should never have gone to that damn training range in the first place.

"So, I'm told that this is going to be the first time the gun is fired outside a non-testing capacity, which I guess they mentioned so we wouldn't think it was untested..."

Everyone laughs as Díaz laughs nervously, and removes a dummy shell from a box.

"This caliber of 20mm shell will be what's fired from the gun, which is chambered like so, though normally it'd be via a magazine or a belt, then you rack the bolt, adjust the sight, and..."

POW

"And I guess then, you hope a plane explodes on the other end!"

There is more laughter, followed by applause as José Díaz exits the stage, then the venue, then the town, so he can return to his office and continue writing marxist theory in peace.

The HS.404, Señoras y Camaradas!