QF 4-inch naval gun Mk XXIII

The QF 4-inch gun Mark XXIII was introduced in late 1945 as a deck gun for Royal Navy submarines. It was the last type of gun to be fitted to British submarines, finally being retired in 1974.

Ordnance QF 4 inch gun Mk XXIII
Mk XXIII gun from HMS Andrew at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Gosport.
TypeSubmarine deck gun
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Service history
In service1945-1974
Used byUnited Kingdom
WarsIndonesia–Malaysia confrontation
Cold War
Production history
Produced1945-46
No. built31
Specifications
Mass1,568 lb (711 kg) barrel and breech
Length137.6 in (3.495 m)
Barrel length132.2 in (3.358 m) bore (33 calibres)
ShellFixed QF 35 lb (15.9 kg)
38.5 lb (17.5 kg)
Calibre4 in (102 mm)
Breechhorizontal sliding-block
CarriageSubmarine SII mounting
Elevation-5 to +30 degrees
Traverse360 degrees[1]
Rate of fireabout 15 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocity35 lb: 1,791 ft/s (546 m/s)
38.5 lb: 1,745 ft/s (532 m/s)
Maximum firing range12,080 yd (11.05 km) 35 lb HE shell at 30 degrees:

Development and service

Development of the Mark XXIII began in 1942, as a lighter replacement for the QF 4-inch gun Mark XXII, which was based on a gun introduced in 1911. It was too late to see service in World War II, but was fitted to Amphion-class submarines that completed after October 1945.[2] It was also fitted to some T-class submarines.[1]

Between 1955 and the early 1960s, the Amphion-class boats were modernised with new streamlined conning towers and casings. This work included the removal of the deck gun, although the underlying supports for the gun mountings were retained in case they were required. This facility was put to use during the British involvement in the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation from 1962 to 1966, when the flotilla of Amphion-class submarines which were deployed in the conflict were again fitted with Mark XXIII guns. These were used to counter blockade-running Indonesian junks and other small vessels.[3] HMS Andrew retained her gun into the 1970s; the last firing was on 2 December 1974.[1]

Surviving examples

HMS Andrew's Mark XXIII gun is preserved at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Gosport.[4]

References
  1. "Britain - 4"/33 (10.2 cm) QF Mark XXIII". www.navweaps.com. Tony DiGiulian. 22 October 2008. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  2. Lambert, John. "Naval Weapons, Equipment, Fittings & Boats". www.feralchicken.co.uk/lambert-plans/. John Lambert Plans. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  3. Akermann, Paul (2002), Encyclopedia of British Submarines 1901-1955, Periscope Publishing Limited, ISBN 1-904381-05-7 (pp. 426-427)
  4. Whitman, Edward C (Summer 2003). "Royal Navy Submarine Museum". www.navy.mil. Undersea Warfare - The Official Magazine of the U.S. Submarine Force. Retrieved 21 March 2014.

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