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Half-Sister of the 7 1⁄2 inch Gun: The 16 1⁄2 inch Gun
The 16 1⁄2 inch gun, a British naval gun, was designed to be a bigger and more powerful version of the 7 1⁄2 inch gun. Developed during the early 20th century, this gun was intended to provide greater firepower to British warships.
Design and Development
The 16 1⁄2 inch gun was designed in the early 1900s as part of a series of gun developments aimed at increasing the firepower of British warships. The gun was designed to fire a 1,920-pound (870 kg) shell, which was significantly heavier than the 1,400-pound (635 kg) shell fired by the 7 1⁄2 inch gun.
Specifications
- Caliber: 16.5 inches (420 mm)
- Barrel length: 45 feet (13.72 meters)
- Shell weight: 1,920 pounds (870 kg)
- Muzzle velocity: 2,575 ft/s (785 m/s)
- Range: 23,800 yards (21,800 meters)
Service History
The 16 1⁄2 inch gun was mounted on several British warships, including the HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Warspite. These battleships played significant roles in both World War I and World War II.
Performance
The 16 1⁄2 inch gun was capable of firing a 1,920-pound shell over a distance of 23,800 yards. This made it one of the most powerful naval guns of its time, providing a significant advantage to British warships in naval battles.
Legacy
Although the 16 1⁄2 inch gun was an impressive achievement in naval artillery, it was eventually surpassed by even larger guns, such as the 18 inch (457 mm) gun developed by the Japanese during World War II. Nevertheless, the 16 1⁄2 inch gun remains an important milestone in the development of naval artillery.
