The existing 4.7-inch mounting could elevate only to about 40 degrees, reflecting prewar assumptions that aircraft would concentrate on capital ships and carriers rather than destroyers. Raising the mounting and changing the gun's balance might expand elevation to roughly 75 to 82 degrees without adopting a between-decks weapon. The result would not automatically equal the American 5-inch/38 system, but it would greatly improve the cruisers' anti-aircraft usefulness. Extra high-angle fire and radar around Norwegian convoys could reduce losses by helping damaged ships survive attacks that would otherwise sink them.
Notable Point · 1:06:21-1:11:37
A high-angle 4.7-inch conversion for Norway
Raising and rebalancing the 4.7-inch mounting could give the rebuilt cruisers useful high-angle fire and radar support during the Norwegian campaign.