The 203mm/55 Modèle 1931 gun was a medium naval gun of the French Navy. It used the same ammunition as the 203mm/50 Modèle 1924 gun, and were very similar except for the longer bore. It is believed that the guns were built from tubes of the older 240mm/50 Modèle 1902 guns.[1]
| 203mm/55 Modèle 1931 | |
|---|---|
 Main guns of the Algérie | |
| Type | Naval gun |
| Place of origin | France |
| Service history | |
| Used by | France |
| Wars | Second World War |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1931 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 22 tonnes[1] |
| Barrel length | 11.3 metres (37 ft)[1] |
| Shell | Separate charges and shell: APC M1936: 134 kilograms (295 lb)[1] |
| Caliber | 203 millimetres (8.0 in) |
| Breech | Welin Breech Block |
| Rate of fire | 4-5 RPM |
| Muzzle velocity | 840 metres per second (2,800 ft/s) |
| Maximum firing range | 31,000 metres (34,000 yd) at 45°[1] |
Although commonly described as being used as the main battery of the heavy cruiser Algérie, mounted in four twin turrets,[1] Algérie in fact used the same 203mm/50 Modèle 1924 as the rest of the French heavy cruisers.[2]
In fact as written in French Cruisers 1922 - 1956 these guns did not exist.[3][4]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Campbell, John (1985). Naval Weapons of World War Two. Naval Institute Press. p. 292. ISBN 0-87021-459-4.
- ^ Jordan, John; Moulin, Jean (2013). French Cruisers 1922 - 1956. Barnsley, South Yorkshire: Seaforth Publishing. p. 114. ISBN 978-1-84832-133-5.
- ^ Jordan & Moulin, Chapter 5, Armament, Main Battery
- ^ McMurtrie Francis E., page 156
External links
editBibliography
edit- Jordan, John & Moulin, Jean (2013). French Cruisers 1922–1956. Barnsley, UK: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84832-133-5.
- Whitley, M.J. (1995). Cruisers of World War Two – An International Encyclopedia. London, UK: Arms and Armour Press. ISBN 1-85409-225-1.
- McMurtrie, Francis E. (1940). Jane's Fighting Ships 1940. London, UK: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd.