BL 7.5-inch Mk VI naval gun explained

Ordnance BL 7.5-inch gun Mk VI
Origin:United Kingdom
Type:Naval gun
Coast defence gun
Is Ranged:YES
Is Artillery:YES
Is Uk:YES
Service:1919–1945[1]
Used By:Royal Navy
Wars:World War II
Number:44[2]
Weight:14t
Part Length:337.5inches
(45 calibres)
Cartridge:200lb
Caliber:7.5adj=onNaNadj=on
Velocity:2770ft/s
Max Range:12miles

The BL 7.5-inch gun Mark VI[3] was the 45 calibre naval gun forming the main battery of Royal Navy s. These ships with seven single gun mounts were significant to the cruiser limitations defined by the Washington Naval Treaty.[4]

Description

These were built-up guns with two tubes, full-length wire winding, a jacket, and Welin breech block with hand-operated Asbury mechanism. The mounting was a CP Mk V a hand-operated central pivot mount with additional power training and elevation provided by a 10HP electric motor and hydraulic pump. Elevation was +30 degrees to -5 degrees and loading was possible up to +10 degrees. The total weight of the mount including its 1in open-backed shield was 45.975 tons. They used two cloth bags each containing 14 kg (31 pounds) of cordite to fire a 200-pound (91-kg) projectile up to 19 kilometres at their maximum elevation of 30 degrees. Useful life expectancy was 650 effective full charges (EFC) per barrel.

Coast defence guns

Seven guns were installed as coastal artillery in the Netherlands Antilles, five in Mozambique, three in Canada, and three in a battery at South Shields during the Second World War.

Shell trajectory

RangeElevationTime of flightDescentImpact velocity
5000 yd (4.6 km)2° 30′7 sec3° 19′1799 ft/s (548 m/s)
10000 yd (9.1 km)7° 3′17 sec12° 32′1218 ft/s (371 m/s)
15000 yd (14 km)15° 21′32 sec27° 33′1038 ft/s (316 m/s)
20000 yd (18 km)27° 59′51 sec44° 35′1071 ft/s (326 m/s)

See also

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Whitley 1995 pp.77–80
  2. Campbell 1985 p.33
  3. Mark VI = Mark 6. Britain used Roman numerals to denote Mark (models) of ordnance until after World War II. This was the 6th model of BL 7.5-inch naval gun.
  4. Preston 1980 pp.69–70