The BL 4-inch Mark VIII naval gun[note 1] was a British medium-velocity wire-wound naval gun introduced in 1908 as an anti-torpedo boat gun in smaller ships whose decks could not support the strain of the heavier and more powerful Mk VII gun.[2]
The gun succeeded the QF 4-inch Mk III, whose 25-pound (11 kg) shell had been considered insufficiently powerful for its intended role. The BL Mk VIII fired a 31-pound (14 kg) shell. It armed the following warships :
^Mark VIII = Mark 8. Mark XI = Mark 11. Britain used Roman numerals to denote marks (models) of ordnance until after World War II. This was the eighth model of British BL 4-inch gun.
References
^ a b c d e fDiGiulian
^ a b c d eHANDBOOK for the 4" Mark VII. and VIII. B.L. Guns 1913
^2287 ft/second firing a 31 lb 3 CRH projectile, using 5 lb 4 oz cordite MD size 16 propellant. HANDBOOK for the 4" Mark VII. and VIII. B.L. Guns 1913.
Sources
HANDBOOK for the 4" Mark VII. and VIII. B.L. Guns 1913 (Corrected to September 1913.) ADMIRALTY Gunnery Branch, G.8652/13
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to BL 4 inch Mk VIII naval gun.
Tony DiGiulian, British 4"/40 (10.2 cm) BL Mark VIII and Mark XI