QF 5.25-inch Mark I naval gun
| QF 5.25 inch Mk I. | |
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| Caliber: | 133 mm (5.25 inch) |
| Barrel length: | 6.668 m (caliber length 50) |
| Weight: | 4362 kg (without ammunition) |
| Ammunition supply: | 340 (Dido), 400 (King George), per gun |
| Bullet weight: | 36.3 kg (HE) 36.3 kg (SAP) |
| Muzzle velocity: | 792 m / s (HE) |
| Elevation range: | Minimum −5 ° maximum + 70 ° |
| Range: | 21,397 m sea target 14,170 m air target |
| Turning speed: | 10 ° / s |
| Increase speed: | 10 ° / s |
| Rate of fire: | 7-8 rounds / min |
| drive | Hydraulic motors |
The QF 5.25 inch (133 mm) was a British naval gun . The caliber length was 50 (6.67 m). It was the Royal Navy's heaviest standard barrel weapon ; it fired HE and SAP shells weighing 36.3 kilograms against sea, land and air targets. Although the gun was not all in all an optimal development, it was used widely during the Second World War .
use
The QF 5.25 inch Mk I was developed as a dual-use marine gun for use against ships and aircraft. The Navy hoped that the combination of medium artillery and heavy anti-aircraft armament would make decisive weight savings for the battleships of the King George V class , which, according to the plans, should comply with the weight limit of 35,560 tons of the Washington Naval Agreement . The Dido class , a newly planned class of light cruisers , was to carry these guns as their main armament. A total of 267 guns were built, making this weapon the most important and most common dual-use cannon in the Royal Navy . Since battleships were preferred when equipping the ships, when the first Didos were put into service, there were not enough guns available for the intended equipment with ten cannons. The guns were mounted on twin mounts HA / LA Mark II on the Dido-class cruisers, and on HA / LA Mark I on the King George V- class battleships .
On the cruisers of the Bellona class (almost identical to the Dido class), the number of turrets was reduced from five to four, not least due to the shortage of guns. In return, the number of light anti-aircraft weapons was increased. In addition, the Bellonas received the improved RP10Mk2 mounts, which offered a remote-controlled drive and twice the lateral and elevation speed.
units
- King George V class battleships (as medium artillery)
- HMS Vanguard , battleship (as medium artillery)
- Dido-class cruiser (as main artillery)
Coastal artillery
The Mk II was a variant for the British Army for coastal defense and air defense. It was installed exclusively in individual towers.
Towards the end of World War II, seven guns were deployed in Australia and three in New Guinea. They were installed in closed HA / LA gun turrets of the Type 1B and served at the same time for coastal protection and air defense.
In 1942 plans began to station seven new 5.25-inch guns on the Rock of Gibraltar . Four were intended for the renewed Princess Anne's Battery , the remaining three were placed on the south side of the rock in the West Battery between Windmill Hill and Europa Point . These turrets were also Type 1B.
Museum copies
- Fortress guns of Princess Anne's Battery on the Rock of Gibraltar
Remarks
- ↑ Page about QF 5.25 "on Navweapons
- ↑ Page of Navweapons
- ^ DW Spethman: The garrison guns of Australia 1788–1962. Published by Ron H Mortensen, Inala Qld, 2008, ISBN 978-0-9775990-8-0 , pp. 145-6.
- ↑ GIBRALTAR Princess Anne's Battery in Gibraltar
Web links
- British 5.25 "/ 50 (13.4 cm) QF Mark I (English)
