The 15 cm/45 41st Year Type was a British naval gun designed by the Elswick Ordnance Company for export in the years before World War I that armed warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy. These guns served aboard Japanese ships during World War I and as coastal artillery during World War II.
15 cm/45 41st Year Type | |
---|---|
Type | Naval gun Coastal Artillery |
Place of origin | Great Britain |
Service history | |
In service | 1906–1945 |
Used by | Empire of Japan |
Wars | World War I World War II |
Production history | |
Designer | Elswick Ordnance Company |
Designed | 1904 |
Manufacturer | Armstrong Whitworth Kure Naval Arsenal |
Produced | 1906 |
Specifications | |
Mass | 7.5 t (1,180 st) |
Length | 7 m (23 ft) |
Barrel length | 6.8 m (22 ft 4 in) 45 caliber |
Shell | Separate loading bagged charge 22 kg (49 lb) and projectile |
Shell weight | 45.4 kg (100 lb) |
Calibre | 152 mm (6.0 in) |
Breech | Interrupted screw |
Elevation | -5° to +18° |
Traverse | -150° to +150°[1] |
Rate of fire | 5 rpm |
Muzzle velocity | 825 m/s (2,710 ft/s) |
Maximum firing range | 14.8 km (9.2 mi) at 18°[2] |
The 15 cm/45 41st Year began life as a design produced by the parent company of Elswick, Armstrong Whitworth for export customers and called the Pattern GG. These guns did not serve aboard ships of the Royal Navy. On 5 October 1917 the Japanese designation system for artillery changed from inches 6 in/45 41st Year Type to centimeters 15 cm/45 41st Year Type. Whether the guns originated in Britain or were built in Japan they still shared the same 41st Year designation.[2]
The 15 cm/45 41st Year was constructed of an A tube and wire wound with a protective outer jacket. Ships built in British shipyards for Japan were armed with Pattern GG guns and later Japan produced their own versions under license at the Kure Naval Arsenal. Four different models were produced at Kure which differed in the style of rifling used. Although sometimes referred to as QF guns, they were actually BL guns which used separate loading bagged charges and projectiles.[2]
15 cm/45 41st Year guns equipped armored cruisers, predreadnought battleships and protected cruisers of the Imperial Japanese Navy.
Ammunition was of separate loading bagged charge and projectile. The bagged charges weighed 22 kg (49 lb), while the projectiles weighed 45.4 kg (100 lb).[1]
The gun was able to fire: