BRITISH ARTILLERY IN WORLD WAR 2

 60-PDR GUN

Updated  14 June 2014

Conversion factors to metric measurement

 Ordnance B.L. 60 pr Gun Mks 2 & 2* on Carriage 60 pr Mk 4P

 Picture List

 The 60-pr gun entered service in about 1910 and was further developed in WW1, notably 'production engineering' to simplify manufacturing.  It started being replaced by the 4.5-inch Gun Mk 1, using the 60-pr carriage, in the late 1930's.  They remained in service with some medium batteries until about 1942.  In 1935 Carrier Dial Sight No 14 was introduced to replace Nos 6 & 9 carriers and provide Probert pattern calibrating sights.   During the late 1930's they were upgraded to Mk 4P, being fitted with a new axle tree, hub brakes and pneumatic tyres for 'high speed' towing.  A modern, 'D' pattern, HE shell was also introduced, which was shorter and a few pounds lighter than the older models, and 'D' model shrapnel shells (Mk 3D 760 bullets, 41 per pound) were available.  It was used by one regiment in the BEF and one battery in N Africa, a few were provided to Australia in the 1930's.  Although named '60-pr', actual projectiles, both HE and shrapnel, varied between 56 and 60 pounds weight and 14.64 and 19.16 inches in length.

Calibre

 5 inches

Barrel length
Bore length

 192.25 inches
 37 calibres

Rifling

 32 grooves, 1 in  30 uniform twist

Chamber capacity

  619 cubic   inches

Barrel

 Wire bound A  tube

Breech

 Welin screw &  Asbury mech

Recuperator

 Hydro-pneumatic

Sights

 Calibrating &  reciprocating

Carriage configuration

 Box trail

Elevation

  -4.5° to 35°

Top traverse

 4° Left & Right

Loading Angle

 Max 25°

Basic Weight

 5.4 tons

Length (muzzle to towing eye)

 28.6 feet
Note 1

Trunnion height

 4.2 feet

Width at wheel hubs

 6.7 feet

56 lb HE Shell Mk 1D

Length (less fuze)

 15.95  inches

Calibre radius head

 10

 Body Diameter

 4.99  inches

Driving Band Diameter

 5.125  inches

Weight (incl fuze)

 56 lbs

Explosive Weight

 3.9 lbs

Charge

New Gun MV

RT MV

RT Max Range

Time of Flight @ Max Range

Probable Error @ Max Range

Approx  Propellant Weight

 Reduced

1925 f/s

1875 f/s

13,400 yds

52 secs

60 yds

6.1 lbs

 There was also a 2.2 lbs 'reduced  practice' charge.

 Full

2245 f/s

2175 f/s

15,100 yds

56 secs

45 yds

8.8 lbs

Rates of fire

Gunfire

Intense

Rapid

Normal

Slow

Very slow

Rounds/Minute

 2

1½

 1

¹/₃

 ¼

Normal Detachment

 10 men

Gun Tractor

Artillery Trailer

No 16, 28

1st Line Ammo (per gun)

 100 HE

VARIANTS

 There were no UK variants, the Mk 4P was the last version.  However, South Africa designed and built a new carriage for 60-pr Mk 1.  This carriage was characterised by a pneumatic tyred two wheel bogey.  It was used in the campaign in Abyssinia.

60-pr Gun Mk 2 on Carriage Mk 4R - a studio picture without scotches in place, note this is the 'R' version with solid rubber tyres.

No 1

Detachment Commander

No 2

Operate breech, load lock, fire gun

No 3

Layer

No 4

Traverse trail

No 5

Load, ram

No 6

Prepare & load cartridge

No 7

Prepare shell

No 8

Prepare shell

No 9

Prepare shell

No 10

Coverer

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