The Canon de 138 mm Modèle 1927 was a medium-calibre gun of the French Navy used during World War II. It was derived from a German World War I design. It was used on the destroyers of the Aigle and Vauquelin classes and the Bougainville-class sloops.
| Canon de 138 mm Modèle 1927 | |
|---|---|
 Scale model of the Canon de 138 mm Modèle 1927 gun on display at the Musée national de la Marine | |
| Type | Naval gun |
| Place of origin | France |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1927—1959 |
| Used by | France |
| Wars | World War II |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 4,100 kg (9,000 lb) |
| Barrel length | about 5.544 m (18 ft 2.3 in) |
| Shell | 130x900mm R Separate-loading, cased charge |
| Shell weight | 40.6 kg (90 lb) |
| Calibre | 138.6 mm (5.46 in) |
| Breech | semi-automatic, horizontal sliding-block |
| Elevation | -10° to +28° |
| Traverse | approximately 300° |
| Rate of fire | 8–10 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity | 700 m/s (2,300 ft/s) |
| Maximum firing range | 16,600 m (18,200 yd) |
Description
editThe 40-calibre Mle 1927 was derived from the German World War I 15 cm L/45 UToF gun as mounted on the large torpedo boat SMS S113 received by France as war reparations. It copied the German gun's semi-automatic action and its horizontal sliding-block breech. It had an autofretted, monobloc barrel. It used 8.967 kilograms (19.77 lb) of powder to push a 40.6-kilogram (90 lb) shell to a muzzle velocity of 700 metres per second (2,300 ft/s).[1]
Mounting
editThe Mle 1927 was used in single centre-pivot mountings that weighed approximately 13 tonnes (13 long tons; 14 short tons) that were fitted with a 3-millimetre (0.12 in) thick gun shield. The mount could depress -10° and elevate to +28° which gave it a maximum range of 16,600 metres (18,200 yd).[1] The gun had a firing cycle of 4 or 5 seconds with its automatic spring rammer, but the dredger hoists transporting the shells and cartridge cases slowed the rate of fire down to 8-10 rounds per minute.[2]
Notes
edit- ^ a b Campbell, p. 298
- ^ "French 138.6 mm/40 (5.46") Model 1927". 22 July 2007. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
References
edit- Campbell, John. Naval Weapons of World War Two. London: Conway Maritime Press, 2002 ISBN 0-87021-459-4
External links
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