Can we learn anything from the gun elevations?

Anything concerning the wreck. Expeditions, submersibles, photos, etc.
beltsman
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Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2016 4:40 am

Can we learn anything from the gun elevations?

Post by beltsman »

Is there anything we can learn from the resting elevations of guns on the wreck? For instance, some are fully depressed - power or hydraulic failure? But other guns (even in the same turret) are at an elevation. The degree of elevation should allow us to work out the approximate range they were attempting to fire at, correct?

I mean this for secondary guns as well.
OpanaPointer
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Re: Can we learn anything from the gun elevations?

Post by OpanaPointer »

It would depend on how the guns were moved, or failed to move, after the action. Some guns default to a resting position when the power goes off, others lock into the last position ordered.

So, you have to know the specs for the turret before conjecture can even begin.
Steve Crandell
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Re: Can we learn anything from the gun elevations?

Post by Steve Crandell »

In any case, what could you possibly learn from that? We know the range to the various British ships from their action reports and from the German side for the main battery.

As mentioned above, there could be several reasons for different elevations. Range to target could vary a lot depending on the turret's target when it was disabled.
OpanaPointer
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Re: Can we learn anything from the gun elevations?

Post by OpanaPointer »

Dynamic situations aren't easily quantified.
paul.mercer
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Re: Can we learn anything from the gun elevations?

Post by paul.mercer »

Gentlemen,
I also think that nothing could be gained from studying where the guns point, the force of impact when Bismarck hit the bottom could well have altered the angle of the guns from their final firing position..
OpanaPointer
Senior Member
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Re: Can we learn anything from the gun elevations?

Post by OpanaPointer »

Where was John Ford when we needed him?
Steve Crandell
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Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 7:05 pm

Re: Can we learn anything from the gun elevations?

Post by Steve Crandell »

And of course the main battery turrets fell out of the ship when it capsized.
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