Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:29:59-1:30:49

From Deutschland to Scharnhorst's longer 11-inch guns

Scharnhorst's 11-inch weapon evolved from the Deutschland-class gun through the flexibility of built-up construction.

Built-Up GunsDeutschland Class CruisersGerman NavyNaval GunsScharnhorst Class Battleships
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Question

What is the difference between the 11-inch guns on Scharnhorst and Graf Spee?

Short answer

Scharnhorst used a longer built-up development of the Deutschland-class 11-inch gun rather than an entirely unrelated weapon.

Notes

The Deutschland-class gun provided the starting point, but Scharnhorst required a longer weapon. Built-up gun construction allowed German designers to extend and strengthen the design without beginning with an unrelated system. The result was an evolutionary weapon, distinct from the earlier gun but clearly derived through successive development. The manufacturing method helped shape this naval-gun family.