1/350 Royal Navy 4"/45 (10.2cm) QF MKV***(N) HA MKIV x4 (Leander Class)

1/350 Scale Royal Navy 4"/45 (10.2cm) QF MKV***(N) HA MKIV x4 as used by the Royal Navy and Commonwealth Navies on Leander and Modified Leander Class Light Cruisers. These are highly detailed parts modelled using plans and many reference photographs.

• 4x Mounts
• Highly detailed and accurate parts, modelled from the John Lambert plans and photographic reference
• Details include: Training and Elevation Gear, Sighting Apparatus, Fuse Setting Apparatus, Accurate Breech loading mechanism, Non-slip pattern on Footplates, Handrails, Rivets and Hex nuts
• Barrel is printed at an elevation of 5º
  

HISTORICAL DATA
During the period just prior to World War I, the Admiralty decided to change the main armament for destroyers and cruisers away from bag guns (BL) over to quick firing guns (QF). QF guns had a higher rate of fire than did BL guns, an important factor for ships intended to be used in short range battles with enemy destroyers. The Mark V was first introduced as a low angle weapon on HMS Arethusa in 1914 and it was later chosen for use as an AAA gun near the end of World War I.

During the Battle of Heligoland Bight in 1914 HMS Arethusa lost the use of all of her 4" (10.2 cm) guns for a time due to problems with the cartridge ejectors. Her crew was eventually able to restore all but two of these guns to action.

Up until the late 1930s the Mark V was the main British long-range AA weapon and was fitted in a majority of capital ships and cruisers. Most ships fired fixed ammunition, but the World War I cruisers and "V" and "W" class destroyers fired separate ammunition. Still used in large numbers during World War II with many new guns being manufactured. Guns removed from capital ships and cruisers in the 1930s were reused on many warships during World War II, including all eight "P" and four "O" class destroyers. Also issued as star-shell guns in some Dido class cruisers and early "Battle" class destroyers.

The original Mark V was constructed of a tapered inner A tube, A tube, taper wound wire, full-length jacket and breech ring. Used a horizontal sliding breech block, opening to the right, with semi-automatic action. Mark V* had no inner A tube. An "A" added to either Mark V or Mark V* indicated a strengthened bolt actuating. Mark V** had a heavy autofretted loose liner with a muzzle bush on the jacket and a removable breech ring. This mod was used for repairing guns in 1937. Mark V*** differed in detail and had a sealing ring instead of a muzzle bush, and its liner could be changed on board. The Mark VB was the intended new loose liner gun, but none appear to have been completed. The final version, the Mark VC built during World War II, had a loose barrel, changeable on board, a shorter jacket, removable breech ring and sealing collar. Altogether 283 Mark VC and 554 earlier types were made for the Navy with about 107 additional guns being manufactured for the Army, where they were used as AA and coastal defense guns during World War I. Of these, 83 were later transferred to the Navy. Of the 637 earlier guns in naval service, 601 remained in 1939.

 *STOCKED ITEM 

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