Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 30:17-31:03

A workable 4.5-inch mount would close the Tribal class's high-angle gap

An early destroyer-compatible 4.5-inch mounting would give the Tribal class a true dual-purpose main battery instead of relying on a later 4-inch modification.

4.5-inch GunsAnti Aircraft WeaponsDual Purpose GunsNaval GunneryRoyal NavyTribal Class Destroyers (1936)
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Question

How much better would the Tribal-class destroyers be with an early quick-firing 4.5-inch dual-purpose mount?

Short answer

It would address their high-angle fire problem by replacing the later 4-inch modification with a dual-purpose main battery.

Notes

The gun and its mounting were separate problems: the 4.5-inch weapon existed, but the destroyer-compatible upper-deck mount arrived too late. Had it been ready, the Tribals could have replaced the later 4-inch modification with a true dual-purpose battery. That would let them engage aircraft at elevation angles their original main armament could not reach. The counterfactual improvement is mainly better anti-aircraft coverage rather than a larger shell by itself.