ORDNANCE QF 4.5in Mk. IIP

ORDNANCE QF 4.5in Mk. IIP
Image: Ordnance QF 4.5in (IWM)
Year1930
Weapon TypeMedium Howitzer
Origin & DesignerBritain/Coventry Ordnance Works
Numbers Produced657
CrewCrew 6; No. 1 Gun Sergeant
No. 2 Breech Operator
No. 3 Gun Layer
No. 4 Loader
No. 5 Ammunition Bearer
No. 6 Ammunition Bearer
Calibre114mm (114x86R)
Elevation-5° to +45°
Traverse3° Left & Right
BreechHorizontal Sliding Block
RecoilHydropneumatic
Gun SightNo. 7 Dial Sight
Gun Mount[@gun_mounts]
CarriageMk. IP Box Trail
Trailers[@trailers]
Gun Shield[@gun_shield]
Armoured Plate[@armoured_plate]
Barrel Length1.524mm (L/14.3)
Overall Length2.70m
Width2.05m
Height[@height]
WeightIn Action: 1.372 kg
Round Weight15.90 kg (separate charge)
Muzzle Velocity310 m/s
Feed[@feed]
Magazine Capacity[@magazine_capacity]
Practical Rate of Fire[@practical_rate_of_fire]
Rate of Fire4 r.p.m.
Maximum Rate of Fire[@maximum_rate_of_fire]
Maximum Ceiling[@maximum_ceiling]
Maximum Ground Range[@maximum_ground_range]
Maximum Range6.700m
Armour Penetration[@armour_penetration]
TractionMotorised (Morris C8 Quad)
Variants[@variants]
NotesThe 4.5in howitzer was the standard field howitzer and equipped British field artillery regiments along with the 18 pounder during World War One. It was kept in service between the wars and 96 were left behind in France after Dunkirk. It served in the early phases of the war in North Africa, the Middle East and the Far-East. It was withdrawn from service in 1943.