38.1 cm /45 Model 1926 naval gun
{{short description|Type of coastal artillery}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name = 38.1 cm/45 Model 1926
| image =Cañón Vickers 381 mm. 1926.jpg
|image_size=300px
| caption =Surviving Vickers 38.1cm/45 1926 at Monte San Pedro - Coruña
| origin = United Kingdom
| type = Coastal artillery
| is_ranged = yes
| is_bladed =
| is_explosive =
| is_artillery = yes
| is_vehicle =
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| is_UK =
| service = 1929–2008
| used_by = Spain
| wars =
| designer =
| design_date = 1912
| manufacturer = Vickers-Armstrong
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| weight = 223 tons (227 tonnes)
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| cartridge = APC, HE
| cartridge_weight = APC - 1,951 lbs (885 kg), HE - 1,951 lbs (885 kg)
| caliber = 15 inches (381mm)
| barrels =
| action =
| rate = 2 rounds per minute
| velocity = APC - 2,500 fps (762 m/s)
| range = 39,390 yards (35,100 m)
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| elevation = -5 / +40 degrees
| traverse = 300 degrees
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The 38.1 cm/45 Model 1926 naval gun, also known as the Vickers-Armstrong 38.1 centimetres (15.0 in) Mark B, was originally intended to form the armament of the Brazilian battleship Riachuelo. Eighteen of the guns were subsequently purchased by Spain for use as coastal artillery.{{cite web|title=38.1 cm/45 (15") Model 1926|url=http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNSpain_15-45_mkB.htm|author=DiGiulian, Tony|access-date=18 July 2012}}
The guns could fire an armour-piercing shell weighing {{convert|860|kg}} at a velocity of {{convert|762|m/s}} or a high-explosive shell weighing {{convert|802|kg}} to a range of {{convert|35100|m}}. They were mounted in individual armoured gun houses.Foss 1987, p. 657.Freidman 1997, pp. 269–270.
In the 1990s, seven mounts remained operational, and were provided with modern Swedish fire control equipment.
Locations
Cartagena: 4 Guns. Batteries Castillitos and Cenizas, each with 2 guns (Guns still in situ).
Ferrol and A Coruña: Originally 8 guns. Batteries at Cape Prior (Guns scrapped 1997), Monte San Pedro (Guns still in situ), Campelo Alta (Guns transferred 1941) and Lobateiras (Guns removed), each with 2 Guns.
Menorca: Originally 6 guns. Batteries at Favarix (Guns transferred 1944), Mahon and Llucalary (guns still in situ), each with 2 guns.
Subsequently, the guns at Campelo Alta were moved to a new location at Paloma Alta, work being completed in October 1941. One of these guns was destroyed when it suffered a premature detonation during Proof Firing. Later the two guns from the Favarix Battery were transferred, becoming operational in January 1944. These three guns remained in service until 2008, when the last one finally retired into reserve.
Surviving examples
West of Cartagena two guns of the Castillitos Battery :
- {{coord|37|32.400|N|1|7.250|W}}
- {{coord|37|32.425|N|1|7.208|W}}
East of Cartagena two guns of the de Las Cenizas Battery :
- {{coord|37|34.718|N|0|49.328|W}}
- {{coord|37|34.748|N|0|49.371|W}}
At Monte De San Pedro, W of A Coruña, two guns :
- {{coord|43|22.649|N|8|26.359|W}}
- {{coord|43|22.704|N|8|26.236|W}}
East of Cala Llucalari, Menorca, two guns :
- {{coord|39|53.242|N|4|5.181|E}}
- {{coord|39|53.178|N|4|5.229|E}}
At Bateria de Costa, Paloma Alta, W of Algeciras, two guns:
- {{coord|36|4.497|N|5|42.978|W}}
- {{coord|36|4.491|N|5|42.843|W}}
Notes
{{Reflist}}
References
- {{cite book|last1=Foss|first1=Christopher F.|title=Jane's Armour and Artillery 1987–88|year=1987|publisher=Jane's Yearbooks|location=London|isbn=0-7106-0849-7}}
- {{cite book|last=Friedman|first=Norman|title=The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons Systems 1997–1998|year=1997|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland, USA|isbn=1-55750-268-4}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20090428041723/http://www.espele.net/militar/murcia/castillitos.html Coastal Batteries of Cenizas and Castillitos]
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:38.1 cm 45 Model 1926 naval gun}}