QF 6 inch Mark N5 gun

Ordnance QF 6 inch Gun Mark N5
HMS Tiger at sea in 1965, showing the large twin 6 inch gun mounting]]
Type	Naval gun
Place of origin	United Kingdom
Service history
In service	1959 to 1979
Used by	Royal Navy
Production history
Designed	1944 (suspended and resumed, 1948)
Specifications
Weight	15,344 lbs. (6,960 kg)
Length	315 in (8.001 m)
Barrel length	300 in (7.620 m)
Shell	AP: 129.75 pounds (58.85 kg) HE: 132 pounds (60 kg)
Calibre	6-inch (152.4 mm), 50 calibres
Breech	Horizontally sliding breech block (hydraulic operation)
Carriage	Modified Mark XXVI (Mark 26)
Elevation	-5 to +78.5 degrees
Rate of fire	15 to 20 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocity	2,520 feet per second (768 m/s)
Maximum firing range	25,000 yd (23,000 m) at 45 degrees elevation (firing AP shot)

The QF 6 inch Gun Mark N5 (initially designated Mk V) was a British naval gun, development of which started during the Second World War, but did not actually enter service with the Royal Navy until the first Tiger-class cruiser was commissioned in 1959. Fitted in pairs to the new and complex Mark 26 dual purpose gun turret designed for rapid automatic fire, the weapon system gained a somewhat undeserved reputation for unreliability and difficult maintenance, but remained in service until 1979 when they were the last 6 inch guns ever to be fired from a British warship.^[1]

References

1. DiGiulian, Tony (27 December 2015). "Britain - 6"/50 (15.2 cm) QF Mark V - 6"/50 (15.2 cm) QF Mark N5". www.navweaps.com. Retrieved 7 February 2016.

External links

• British Pathé newsreel showing HMS Tiger working-up in 1959, including firing the main armament.

• An in-depth specification of the weapon and an interview with a member of HMS Lion's crew on the weapon.