Shell interchangability
-
- Member
- Posts: 113
- Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2006 3:38 pm
- Location: Tavistock, West Devon
Shell interchangability
Would shells manufactured in different countries interchange i.e. would a 14/15/16" British shell fit and fire in the equivalent gun made in the US/France/Germany/Italy and vice versa?
Since they were the same diameter you'd think they would be interchangeable, but I've seen references from time to time which stated that such and such a shell wasn't. This has led me to conclude that probably none of them were interchangeable, but I don't know for sure.
I know that in the specific case of the US 2700 lb 16" AP shell, only the newer US battleships had loading machinery that could handle it. It was too long to be used in the older ships, but that's another issue.
I know that in the specific case of the US 2700 lb 16" AP shell, only the newer US battleships had loading machinery that could handle it. It was too long to be used in the older ships, but that's another issue.
- marcelo_malara
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1850
- Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2005 11:14 pm
- Location: buenos aires
I believe that the German 15 inch, or 380 millimetre shell was actually 14.96 inches, so would not, on a diameter basis, be comparable with say Hood's 15 inch shells. On that basis the diameters stated won't be compatible as they are not exact; a German 15 inch would have to be 381 millimetres.
However, as both the UK and USA used imperial and not metric measurements, would it be the case that the US 16 inch shell could be fired by Rodney/Nelson, and their 16 inch ammo used by the Iowa class battleships? Was it ever tried?
Another interesting point - when the Royal Navy had the Prinz Eugen at the end of WW2 did they try to ascertain whether the PE's guns could fire the British county class cruiser standard 8 inch round?
However, as both the UK and USA used imperial and not metric measurements, would it be the case that the US 16 inch shell could be fired by Rodney/Nelson, and their 16 inch ammo used by the Iowa class battleships? Was it ever tried?
Another interesting point - when the Royal Navy had the Prinz Eugen at the end of WW2 did they try to ascertain whether the PE's guns could fire the British county class cruiser standard 8 inch round?
''Give me a Ping and one Ping only'' - Sean Connery.
- marcelo_malara
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1850
- Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2005 11:14 pm
- Location: buenos aires
I've never heard of it being tried. Also, the shell handling equipment on the newest US battleships was designed to accomodate the "super heavy" 16" shell. For example, the Colorado couldn't use them. They were longer than prior designs.RF wrote:I believe that the German 15 inch, or 380 millimetre shell was actually 14.96 inches, so would not, on a diameter basis, be comparable with say Hood's 15 inch shells. On that basis the diameters stated won't be compatible as they are not exact; a German 15 inch would have to be 381 millimetres.
However, as both the UK and USA used imperial and not metric measurements, would it be the case that the US 16 inch shell could be fired by Rodney/Nelson, and their 16 inch ammo used by the Iowa class battleships? Was it ever tried?
Another interesting point - when the Royal Navy had the Prinz Eugen at the end of WW2 did they try to ascertain whether the PE's guns could fire the British county class cruiser standard 8 inch round?
The Prinz Eugen was captured undamaged by the British at Copenhagen in May 1945, and was sailed to Britain under its own crew escorted by the cruiser Devonshire.
After some time the PE was allocated to the US Navy and sailed to San Diego via Panama Canal, again by its German crew under US command. The PE was then expended by the US in the Bikini Atoll atom bomb tests.
After some time the PE was allocated to the US Navy and sailed to San Diego via Panama Canal, again by its German crew under US command. The PE was then expended by the US in the Bikini Atoll atom bomb tests.
''Give me a Ping and one Ping only'' - Sean Connery.
The only case of shell interchangability i know is for the french AA 127mm mod 1948. These gun were french-designed but took the advantage of the availability of the US Ammunition.
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNFR_5-54_m1948.htm
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNFR_5-54_m1948.htm