Q&A · 2:11:12-2:11:30

A common calibre speeds proximity-fuze distribution

The later ammunition improvement magnifies the value of early standardization because many more ships already carry the compatible gun.

Question

How would the 1943 arrival of proximity fuzes affect the alternate 4.7-inch fleet?

Short answer

The 4.7-inch shell was large enough for a proximity fuze, and its wider fleet distribution would let the Royal Navy extend the new capability to more ships quickly.

Notes

A proximity fuze would fit the 4.7-inch projectile. The alternate fleet has standardized many destroyers and other ships on that calibre. Introducing the fuze would therefore upgrade a much broader installed battery than the historically less common 4.5-inch fit. The point concerns distribution and commonality rather than claiming that the fuze was available during the early-war examples.