10 cm/50 Type 88 naval gun
The 10 cm/50 Type 88 naval gun was a dual-purpose gun used by the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II.
| 10 cm/50 Type 88 naval gun | |
|---|---|
 A 10 cm/50 Type 88 naval gun aboard I-165 in 1932. | |
| Type | Naval gun |
| Place of origin | Empire of Japan |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1932–1945 |
| Used by | Imperial Japanese Navy |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1928 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 2,830 kg (6,240 lb) |
| Length | 5.3 m (17 ft 5 in) |
| Barrel length | 5 m (16 ft 5 in)[1] |
| Shell | Fixed Quick Fire 100 mm x 380 mm[2] |
| Shell weight | 13 kg (29 lb) |
| Caliber | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Breech | Horizontal sliding block |
| Recoil | Hydro-pneumatic |
| Carriage | Central Pivot |
| Elevation | -7° to +90° |
| Traverse | -150° to +150°[2] |
| Rate of fire | Theoretical: 12 rpm Practical: 6 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity | 885–895 m/s (2,900–2,940 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 11,200 m (36,700 ft) at +90° |
| Maximum firing range | 16.2 km (10 mi) at +45°[1] |
| Feed system | Manual |
Description
There were two variants of the 10 cm/50 Type 88 naval gun. One variant had a removable barrel liner while the other had an autofretted monoblock barrel.[2] Both variants had horizontal sliding block breaches, hydro-pneumatic recoil mechanism, and Fixed Quick Fire ammunition. They were dual-purpose guns mounted on HA/LA central pivot mounts with a wide range of elevation that allowed the guns to be used against surface and aerial targets. The gun was capable of a theoretical rate of fire of 12 rounds per minute but this was limited to a practical rate of fire of 6 rounds per minute due to the speed of the pneumatic shell hoist.[1]
Uses
The 10 cm/50 Type 88 naval gun was used as a Deck gun aboard I-165 class Type KD5 submarines of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II.[1]
References
- Campbell, p. 197
- "Japan 10 cm/50 (3.9") Type 88 - NavWeaps". www.navweaps.com. Retrieved 2019-11-13.
Bibliography
- Campbell, John (1985). Naval Weapons of World War II. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-459-4.