ORDNANCE QF 25PDR Mk. II

ORDNANCE QF 25PDR Mk. II
Image: Ordnance QF 25 pdr (IWM)
Year1940
Weapon TypeLight Field Gun/Howitzer
Origin & DesignerBritain/Various
Numbers Produced13.000
Crew6 (Gun Sergeant, Gunner, Loader, Breech Operator & 2 x Ammunition Bearers)
Calibre87.6mm (87x292R)
Elevation-5° to +45°
Traverse360°
BreechVertical Sliding Block
RecoilHydropneumatic
Gun SightNo. 29
Gun Mount[@gun_mounts]
CarriageBox Trail
Trailers[@trailers]
Gun Shield[@gun_shield]
Armoured Plate[@armoured_plate]
Barrel Length2.450mm (L/28.8)
Overall Length4.60m
Width2.13m
Height1.16m
WeightWeight in Traction: 3.327 kg
Weight in Action: 1.799 kg
Round WeightHE: 11.33 kg.
AP: 9.07 kg.
Smoke: 9.89 kg.
Muzzle VelocityHE: 518 m/s.
AP: 610 m/s.
Smoke: 420 m/s.
Feed[@feed]
Magazine Capacity[@magazine_capacity]
Practical Rate of Fire4 r.p.m.
Rate of Fire[@rate_of_fire]
Maximum Rate of Fire8 r.p.m.
Maximum Ceiling[@maximum_ceiling]
Maximum Ground Range[@maximum_ground_range]
Maximum Range12.253m
Armour Penetration[@armour_penetration]
TractionMotorised (Morris C8 Quad)
Variants[@variants]
NotesThe 25 pounder answered the needs for a weapon that could be used as a field and a howitzer. The 18/25 pounder served as an interim weapon and many were lost when the BEF evacuated from France, leaving the army short on field artillery. The new version was introduced which combined a new box trail designed by Vickers which came with its own firing platform. This platform gave the gun a 360° traverse which was useful if firing at moving targets. The original barrels stayed the same at 87mm and the gun was called the 25 pounder Mk.2 on Mk.1 carriage. And this became to standard field piece found in both British and Commonwealth field regiments.