BL 5.5 inch Gun

The BL 5.5 inch gun was a 140-mm field artillery weapon in service with the British Army from 1942 to 1984. Replacing the WW1 60-pr gun, it saw extensive combat action in World War II and the Korean War, with more than 5,000 pieces being produced. It was first fielded in North Africa, in May 1942, during the Western Desert Campaign.

The BL 5.5 inch gun was an efficient and reliable weapon used to provide fire support to Allied armies' front line troops, especially after the landing on the Normandy beaches. It became popular among the British artillery units, giving an excellent service. Towed by trucks and tracked vehicles, it was easy to carry to the battlefield and set up for action. It fired a 100-lb shell up to a maximum distance of 15 km.

Technical Characteristics

The carriage of the BL 5.5 inch gun was a split-trail type, with two pneumatic wheels. The gun rested in a trough cradle, which was balanced by means of a pair of vertical spring cylinders in front of the trunnions. Their purpose was to lift the cradle. These two spring cylinders gave the gun a distinctive appearance, like a pair of horns. This artillery piece was fitted with an Asbury breech mechanism, with Welin screw.

It also featured a quick-loading gear, which gave no troubles. It unlocked the cradle from the elevating arc and allowed the gun barrel to be swung down to the horizontal position for loading, while the gun-layer was still busy setting the elevation and traverse. Once loaded, the gun swung up until the lock was snapped into place in the elevating arc.

Specifications

Type: medium field gun

Caliber: 5.5 inches (139.7-mm)

Shell: separate load, with HE and BE incendiary projectile

Weight of Gun: 1,869 kg (4,120 lb)

Total Weight:  6,190 kg (13,646 lb)

Barrel Length: 4.36 m (171.6 inches)

Rifling: 36 grooves, with right hand twist

Breech: Asbury, with Welin screw and percussion firing.

Elevation: -5 to +45 degrees

Traverse: 30 degrees left and right

Maximum Range: 14,813 m (16,200 yards)

Below, the BL 5.5-inch gun in England in 1943.

In 1944, in northern France.

Below, the open breech of the 5.5-in gun. It had an Asbury type mechanism, with the three-stepped Welin screw.