Written by David Boyd
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Thursday, 01 January 2009 14:29 |
The 4.5" Medium Gun In 1933 a modification to existing 60 Pounder guns so they could fire a modern design of shell and obtain better range was suggested but due to financial reasons the modification only amounted to relining the barrel. In 1937 the first was tested and gave a range of 20,000 yards, the conversion was approved but it was found that only 76 60 Pounders were suitable for the modification. So in 1938 a new design of gun was requested which would fit in the carriage of the new 5.5" medium gun. The gun was approved in August 1939. The 4.5" medium gun was virtually the same as the 5.5" medium gun except for calibre and so fired a lighter shell but it had longer range than the 5.5" medium gun. These guns were never held in high regard as it was felt that the extra range and slight weight saving did not make up for the significantly lighter shell. 4.5" Medium Gun Data
| MK II | Weight of gun and breech | 4,263lb | Total length | 192.75" | Length of bore | 185" | Rifling | 32 groves 1/25 | Elevation | -5 - +45 degrees | Traverse | 30 degrees left/right | Weight in Action | 12,880lb | 4.5" Medium Gun Ammunition Data Type | HE | Weight | 55lb | Muzzle Velocity | 2,250fps | Maximum range | 20,500 yards | Production of 4.5" medium guns by year (UK only) | Pre-War | Sep-Dec 1939 | 1940 | 1941 | 1942 | 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | 60pdr conversions | 1 | 18 | 209 | 11 | - | - | - | - | 4.5" Guns | - | - | 1 | 125 | 152 | 20 | 295 | 56 | 4.5"/5.5" Carriages | - | 2 | - | 213 | 590 | 801 | 754 | 131 | Production of 4.5" medium gun ammunition by year (UK only, filled only) | Pre-War | Sep-Dec 1939 | 1940 | 1941 | 1942 | 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | HE | - | 12,424 | 286,115 | 1,187,300 | 74,000 | - | 711,000 | 397,000 | Sources - British & American Artillery of WWII, AVIA 22 456 - 514
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Last Updated on Thursday, 01 January 2009 14:30 |