German 11" Guns

[Faron Bell]

I was wondering why the 11" guns on the Pocket Battleships had a shorter range (40") vs. the Scharnhorst (45")? I was thinking that they were the exact same gun?

Perhaps the Scharnhorst had better rangefinding gear and was a more stable firing platform?

Thanks...just curious....

 

[Jellicoe]

I was wondering why the 11" guns on the Pocket Battleships had a shorter range (40") vs. the Scharnhorst (45")? I was thinking that they were the exact same gun?

Perhaps the Scharnhorst had better rangefinding gear and was a more stable firing platform?

Thanks...just curious....

The 11" battery on the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau was an improved model compared to that on the Pocket Battleships. It had a slightly longer range and fired a slightly heavier shell. Hence the difference.

 

[resQscooter]

My Google Fu kicks butt!

Scharnhorst/Gneisenau
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNGER_11-545_skc34.htm

Adm. Scheer/Graf Spee
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNGER_11-52_skc28.htm

regards,
Scott

 

[oggie x]

They made the barrel length longer in the Scharnorst main armament. This as I remember gives the shell more time in the barrel with the rapidally expanding gas pushing it along whilst this gas is contained behind the shell in the barrel. As long as the gas is pushing against the shell inside the barrel the more velocity the shell gains.

So more velocity gives longer range and penatrative power. This means that performances for guns of the same calibre can vary. A good example is the 75mm guns on the WW2 Shermans and Panthers (Panzer 5s). The Sherman has a 75mm/38 (I think, the post slash no being barrel length compared to shell width) and the Panther a 75mm/71 (longer barrel than the Sherman). Consequently the Panthers gun is by far the better weapon (much to the detriment of allied tank crews).

Hope that explains it.

P.S If I have made any glaring errors feel free to correct.