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Written by David Boyd
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Thursday, 01 January 2009 14:32 |
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The 4.5" Howitzer 
The 4.5" Howitzer dates back to before the First World War and was produced by Coventry Ordnance Works, it first entered service in 1909 and production stopped at the end of 1918 with 3,359 being built. Before the Second World War the carriages were modernized and 1939 it was supposed to have been replaced by the 25 Pounder but deliveries of these were slow and so some 4.5" Howitzers were used in France and others in North Africa. After North Africa the weapons were relegated to training duties. 4.5" Howitzer Gun characteristics | Weight of gun and breech | 972lb (Mk I), 1,021lb (Mk II) | | Total Length | 70" | | Length of bore | 185" | | Rifling | 32 groves 1/41.31 to 1/14,78 | | Max Elevation | -5 - 45 degrees | | Traverse | 3 degrees left/right | | Weight in action | 3,010lb (Mk I) | Ammunition data | Type | HE | | Weight | 35lb | | Muzzle velocity | 1,010 fps | | Maximum range | 7,000 yards | Production and conversion of 4.5" Howitzer equipment (UK only, Filled only) | | Pre-war | Sep-Dec 1939 | 1940 | 1941 | | 4.5" How Pneu conv | 124 | - | 230 | - | | 4.5" How Trailer Pneu conv | 89 | 142 | 717 | 200 | | HE | - | - | 319,379 | 297,900 | | Smoke | - | 5,266 | 18,680 | 32,000 | | Chemical | - | - | 19,198 | - |
Sources - British & American Artillery of World War Two, AVIA 22 456-514
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Last Updated on Thursday, 01 January 2009 14:33 |
Artillery 
