The 5-inch/38's effectiveness rests on its mounting and supporting fire control as well as the gun. Dual-purpose fire also requires effective fuze setting, a task easily overlooked in comparisons of barrels. A veteran gunner recalled in a viewer's comment praised the 5-inch/38 together with its supporting systems. The British 4.7-inch could have been a close rival with a suitable dual-purpose mounting in the 1930s. Work on that mounting gave way to a fresh start with the 4.5-inch. Tests interpreted as showing that destroyers did not need high-angle guns helped justify leaving the 4.7-inch without a satisfactory dual-purpose mount.
Notable Point · 1:54:12-1:57:58
Why the US 5-inch/38 succeeded as a complete system
Mountings, fire control, and fuze setting explain the 5-inch/38's advantage and the missed opportunity for a British 4.7-inch rival.