Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 27:44-28:38

US 5-inch/38 and British 4.5-inch design priorities

Both weapons were effective, but American single-mount and longer-range priorities differed from British twin-mount and close-action thinking.

Dual Purpose GunsNaval GunneryRoyal NavyUS Navy
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Question

How did the US 5-inch/38 compare with the Royal Navy 4.5-inch mount?

Short answer

Both were good general-purpose weapons, with the US gun favouring longer-range and single-mount thinking and the British gun favouring twin mounts and closer action.

Notes

The comparison avoids declaring a universal winner. The US Navy's 5-inch/38 grew from assumptions that made a larger single gun attractive, while the Royal Navy optimized the 4.5-inch around twin mounts and faster close-range fire. Each weapon suited its navy's expected engagements.