BL 12-inch Mk X naval gun

The BL 12 inch Gun Mark XMark X = Mark 10. Succeeding versions were Mark XI (11) and XII (12). Britain used Roman numerals to denote Marks (models) of ordnance until after World War II was a British 45-calibre naval gun which was mounted as primary armament on battleships and battlecruisers from 1906. It first appeared on .

History

The Mk X continued the trend of lengthening gun barrels as far as new construction methods would permit, in order to allow more cordite propellant to be used to attain higher projectile velocities. The Mk X increased the bore length from the Mk IX's , increasing muzzle velocity from .

Subsequent British attempts to further increase the power of 12-inch guns led to failure with the 50-calibre Mk XI and Mk XII guns; the Mk X was the last successful 12-inch British gun.

Naval use Mk X guns were mounted in the following ships which served throughout World War I: s, laid down 1905, completed 1908 Battleship , laid down 1905, completed 1906 s, laid down 1906, completed 1908–1909 s, laid down 1906, completed 1909 s, laid down 1909, completed 1911–1913

World War I use ashore From 1917 several Mk X guns were deployed ashore on the section of the Belgian coast still held by the Allies, near Nieuwpoort. They were part of the "Royal Naval Siege Guns" under the command of Admiral Sir Reginald Bacon, and were used for attacking German heavy gun batteries.

Ammunition World War I Shells. Left to Right : Mk XA Capped Armour-Piercing shell filled with Trotyl (TNT) Shrapnel Mk 6A Capped Common pointed shell filled with Shellite 70/30

BL 12-inch Mk X naval gun

Bron en licentie