Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:09:13-2:09:43

The light AA objection to an automatic-gun Edinburgh refit

The refit's light AA battery draws the main objection, with Bofors preferred to Oerlikon in this proposed armament.

3-inch Guns6-inch GunsBofors 40 mmNaval Air DefenceOerlikon 20 mmTown Class Light Cruisers (1936)
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Question

Would an Edinburgh-subclass refit with eight automatic six-inch guns, eight three-inch guns, and light AA mounts be viable?

Short answer

The specific objection is the Oerlikon fit, with 40 mm Bofors guns preferred for that period.

Notes

The proposed Edinburgh-subclass refit has eight six-inch and eight three-inch guns in twin mountings, with additional light anti-aircraft weapons. The immediate objection concerns using Oerlikons for that final layer. Forty-millimetre Bofors guns are preferred for the period being considered. This armament preference leaves the full hull-integration assessment unresolved.