BL 8-inch howitzer Mk VI – VIII
Heavy howitzer / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The BL 8-inch howitzer Marks VI, VII and VIII (6, 7 and 8) were a series of British artillery siege howitzers on mobile carriages of a new design introduced in World War I.[note 1] They were designed by Vickers in Britain and produced by all four British artillery manufacturers but mainly by Armstrong and one American company. They were the equivalents of the German 21 cm Morser 16 and in British service were used similarly to the BL 9.2-inch howitzer but were quicker to manufacture and more mobile. They delivered a 200 lb (91 kg) shell to 12,300 yd (7.0 mi; 11.2 km). They had limited service in the British Army in World War II before being converted to the new 7.2 in (180 mm) calibre. They also equipped a small number of Australian and Canadian batteries in World War I and by the US Army in that war. They were used in small numbers by other European armies.
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (April 2018) |
BL 8-inch howitzer Mk VI, VII, VIII | |
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Type | Heavy howitzer |
Place of origin | United Kingdom |
Service history | |
In service | 1916–1943 |
Used by | United Kingdom Australia Canada Russian Empire Finland United States |
Wars | World War I, World War II |
Production history | |
Designer | Vickers |
Designed | 1915 |
Manufacturer | Vickers Armstrong Beardmore Woolwich Midvale Steel, major assemblies by Hadfield and Beyer, Peacock & Company.[1] |
No. built | 711 equivalent complete equipments(UK contracts).[2] |
Specifications | |
Mass | 8.74 tonnes |
Barrel length | Mk VI: 9 ft 9 in (2.972 m) L/14+5⁄8 Mk VII & VIII: 11 ft 6 in (3.505 m) L/17¼ |
Shell | HE 200 lb (91 kg) |
Calibre | 8-inch (203.2 mm) |
Breech | Welin interrupted screw with Asbury mechanism |
Recoil | Hydro-pneumatic recuperator, hydraulic buffer |
Carriage | Wheeled, box trail |
Elevation | Mk VI: −4° to 50° Mk VII & VIII: 0° to 45° |
Traverse | 4° L & R |
Muzzle velocity | Mk VI: 1,300 ft/s (400 m/s) Mk VII & VIII: 1,500 ft/s (460 m/s) |
Effective firing range | Mk VI: 10,745 yd (9,825 m) Mk VII & VIII: 12,300 yd (11,200 m) |