Took a tour of the USS Iowa BB-61...I have a question..

[Wilhelm]

For all you Navy guys. I noticed that the 16 inch guns were described as "16 inch 50 caliber" Can someone explain what that means ? I thought 50 caliber was like a machine gun size projectile. Also as I recall, the 5 inch guns were 38 caliber. I thought 38 caliber was a handgun size projectile.
Can someone explain ?

[slodave]

Here ya go:

16"/50 caliber Mark 7 gun - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

These guns were 66 feet (20 m) long—50 times their 16-inch (406 mm) bore, or 50 calibers, from breechface to muzzle.

[Wilhelm]

Originally Posted by slodave

Here ya go:

16"/50 caliber Mark 7 gun - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cripes...I shoulda just Googled ! DUH...
Thanks Dave! Happy New Year !

[URY914]

PPOT much better than Goggle, IMHO. When you ask here you're likey to find a reply from a guy that worked/designed/knew a guy/owns one/used to own one for just about anything.

[fred cook]

Originally Posted by URY914

PPOT much better than Goggle, IMHO. When you ask here you're likey to find a reply from a guy that worked/designed/knew a guy/owns one/used to own one for just about anything.

+1 ! The combined knowledge of the members of this board is simply staggering. Best of all, they are very happy to share that knowledge!

[crustychief]

Originally Posted by slodave

Here ya go:

16"/50 caliber Mark 7 gun - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Exactly this. I worked with the MK42MOD11 5"/54 and the MK45 5"/54

[allaircooled]

My first ship USS Chosin shooting off one of it's MK45 5"/54 guns.

[azasadny]

Good info!!

[flatbutt]

Crustychief...how did the gun crew protect their ears from those guns. I don't think putting my hand over my ears would work.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by allaircooled

My first ship USS Chosin shooting off one of it's MK45 5"/54 guns.

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Crustychief...how did the gun crew protect their ears from those guns. I don't think putting my hand over my ears would work.

Sandy has, of course, forgotten more about Naval guns than I will ever know, but the MK45 on the Chosin (I was a plank owner on her sister ship, the Valley Forge) are remotely fired...if I remember correctly, from CIC.

I sat next to a young gunner during the CG-50's weapons testing off of Barking Sands and was so impressed with the visuals and the fire control. Te young man fired the gun with his right hand, targeted with his left, all from the the comforts of CIC.

As an aside, I was the Air Boss on a very old Gator that had, I think, three inch guns, fired from inside the turret. USS La Salle, AGF-3.

I asked to sit inside the turret with the young gunners during a gun-ex with an inflatable target.

The noise was incredible. Iron sights, I think.

In any case, very impressive.

[Tervuren]

Originally Posted by URY914

PPOT much better than Goggle, IMHO. When you ask here you're likey to find a reply from a guy that worked/designed/knew a guy/owns one/used to own one for just about anything.

+1 to this. As a plus, the questions can bring up a lot of interesting side info that is fun to read.

Funny thing is, how many urbanites refuse to believe me when I say that those guns are 50 caliber. They say noooooo, those guns are much bigger than a 50 caliber. Hehe. I just smile and let it drop. Using words correctly can some times lead to some very strong disagreements.

[crustychief]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Crustychief...how did the gun crew protect their ears from those guns. I don't think putting my hand over my ears would work.

Double hearing protection Plugs and muffs. Actually the gun crew is below decks and the sound is not that bad on the MK45. The MK42 however, has three people inside the gun mount housing, it is loud when firing with the door open and smokey as heck with it closed.

[sammyg2]

[Wilhelm]

Originally Posted by Tervuren

+1 to this. As a plus, the questions can bring up a lot of interesting side info that is fun to read.

Funny thing is, how many urbanites refuse to believe me when I say that those guns are 50 caliber. They say noooooo, those guns are much bigger than a 50 caliber. Hehe. I just smile and let it drop. Using words correctly can some times lead to some very strong disagreements.

Another question: What size is the bullet a 50 caliber machine fires ? And a 38, 44, 45, etc.
I dont get it.

[Flieger]

I think you mean .50 cal or a .44 Magnum, etc.