QF 4.7-inch Mk VIII naval gun

The QF 4.7 inch Gun Mark VIII[1] was a British naval anti-aircraft gun designed in the 1920s for the Royal Navy. This was the largest caliber fixed ammunition gun ever in service in the RN, though the round was considerably shorter and lighter than the round for the QF 4.5-inch Mk I – V naval gun. It was carried in powered HA XII mountings on the two Nelson-class battleships, two of the three Courageous-class aircraft carriers, the minelayer HMS Adventure, and the Australian seaplane tender HMAS Albatross.[2]

QF 4.7 inch Gun Mk VIII
One gun on HMS Rodney before 1940
TypeNaval anti-aircraft gun
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Service history
In service1927–1945
Used byBritish Empire
WarsWorld War II
Production history
No. built84
Specifications
Mass6,636 pounds (3,010 kg)
Barrel length189 inches (4.8 m) L/40

Shell weightComplete 76 pounds (34 kg)
Projectile 50 pounds (23 kg)
Calibre4.724 inches (120 mm)
Elevation–5° to +90
Traverse360°
Rate of fire8–12 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocity2,457 feet per second (749 m/s)
Maximum firing range16,160 yards (14,780 m) at 45°
32,000 feet (9,800 m) at 90°

See also

Weapons of comparable role, performance and era

  • Type 10 120 mm AA Gun: Japanese equivalent

Notes and references

  1. Mark VIII = Mark 8. Britain used Roman numerals to denote Marks (models) of ordnance until after World War II. Mark VIII indicates this was the eighth model of QF 4.7 inch gun.
  2. Campbell, Naval Weapons of WWII, p.51.

Bibliography

  • Tony DiGiulian. "British 4.7"/43 (12 cm) QF Mark VII 4.7"/40 (12 cm) QF Mark VIII 4.7"/40 (12 cm) QF Mark X".
  • Campbell, John (1985). Naval Weapons of World War Two. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-459-4.

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