5.5 inch BL Gun Mk.2 (Ordnance Breech Loading 5.5 inch Gun Mark 2)
The 5.5 inch Gun was designed to replace the 60 pounder in British service. The size of 5.5 inches (140 mm) was chosen because it gave a better ballistic shape to the shell.
Originally the design was to have hydro-pneumatic balancing cylinders to support the barrel weight, but these caused problems and simple springs were used instead, these are the "horns" on each side of the barrel.
The gun was first issued in May 1942 and remained in British Service until the early 1980's, although it is still used in Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa.
Technical Details
Calibre: 5.5 inches (140 mm)
Range: 16200 yards (14813 metres) : 18099 yards (16550 Metres)
Shell Weight: 100 pounds (45.36 kilograms): 82 pounds (37 kilograms)
Shell type: High Explosive
Rate of Fire: 2 to 3 rounds per minute
Muzzle Velocity: 1673 feet per second (510 metres per second)
Weight 6.09 tons
Lenght of gun: 14.3 feet (4.358 metres)
Crew: 10
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