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Old 12-10-11, 17:34
Mike Cecil Mike Cecil is offline
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Cody, Wyoming, USA
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That gave me a laugh, Lang!

I agree that velocity is 'king', and I don't think I was specific in mentioning the angle at which the fall of shot starts moving back: but I believe what I said was correct as stated.

Now take the 18pdr's successor, the 25-pdr, described as a 'gun-howitzer'. Although its max angle of elevation on carriages Mk.1 and 2 (and sub variants) was less than 45 degrees (actually a max of 40 degrees with spade embedded), the fall of shot could be varied by another factor: varying the charge weight (it was a semi-fixed cartridge), hence, varying the velocity. The combination of those two factors gave the weapon much greater flexibility: everything from 'lobbing' shells over tall hills at low velocity (indirect fire) to firing anti-tank shot direct on Charge Super (at max velocity). The Mk.3 carriage gave even greater ability to clear crests, being articulated to give an even greater max elevation well over 45 degrees.

Mike C
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