Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:23:06-1:23:47

Could the 4.7-inch approach the US 5-inch/38?

The comparison treats development effort, not nominal calibre alone, as the key difference between the British and American dual-purpose systems.

5-inch GunsNaval GunneryNaval ProcurementRoyal NavyUS Navy
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Question

How would a developed British 4.7-inch/45 compare with the US Navy's 5-inch/38?

Short answer

They were close enough to be credible peers if Britain redirected the money spent on the 4.5-inch system into improving the established 4.7-inch gun, ammunition, and mounting.

Notes

The two weapons were broadly comparable. The US 5-inch/38 benefited from being developed as a complete dual-purpose system. Britain's 4.7-inch/45 already offered a working base but did not receive the same concentrated investment because money went toward the new 4.5-inch programme. Improving the existing gun, shell, and high-angle mounting together could have produced a British weapon much closer to the American standard.