18-pr Gun data sheet

BRITISH ARTILLERY IN WORLD WAR 2

Updated 14 June 2014

Conversion factors to metric measurement

Ordnance, Q.F. 18-pr Gun Mks 4A and 4B on Carriages Mks 4, 4P, 4R, 5, 5P and 5R

The 18-pr Gun was one of the two field equipments that provided the backbone of the British artillery in World War 1, it had entered service in 1904 and by 1919 had reached the Mk 4 gun on Mk 4 carriage. In 1923 the Mk 5 carriage was introduced and later all existing marks were adapted for vehicle towing, initially with solid rubber tyres ('R' which could also be used with horse draught) and then pneumatic tyres, 'P'. Older model guns Mks 1 & 2 remained in service with their carriages (pole trail) modified to Mk 2P for vehicle towing. The 18-pr was used by the BEF in 1940 and was also used that year in North and East Africa and in very small numbers in Hong Kong, Malaya, Borneo and Burma in late 1941 and early 1942.

Calibre	3.3 inches	Ordnance length Bore length	97 inches 28 calibres	Rifling	18 grooves, 1 in 30 uniform twist	Chamber capacity	83 cubic inches
Barrel	Autofrettaged loose liner	Breech	Welin screw & Asbury mech	Recuperator	Hydro-pneumatic Note 1	Sights	Reciprocating
Carriage configuration	Mk 4 - box trail Mk 5 - split trail	Max elevation	- 5� to 38�	Top traverse (Left & Right) Platform Mk 4 only	Mk 4 - 4.5� Mk 5 - 25� 360�	Loading angle
Basic Weight	Mks 4 & 5P - 1.5 tons	Length (muzzle to towing eye)	16.5 feet	Trunnion height	3 feet	Width at wheel hubs	6 feet

Standard streamlined HE Shell Mk 1C Note 2
Length (less fuze)	10 inches	Calibre radius head	4/7.5	Body Diameter	3.29 inches	Driving Band Diameter	3.39 inches	Weight (incl fuze)	18.5 lbs Note 3	Explosive Weight	1.1 lbs

Charge

New Gun MV

RT MV

RT Max Range

Time of Flight @ Max Range

Probable Error @ Max Range

Approx Propellant Weight

18-pr used a fixed round, there was a reduced charge round for training use. The full charge for earlier Mks of gun was smaller.

Full

1632 f/s

1625 f/s

11,100 yds

48 secs

60 yds

1.4 lbs

Rates of fire	Gunfire	Intense	Rapid	Normal	Slow	Very slow
Rounds/Minute

Normal Detachment

6 men

Gun Tractor

Artillery Trailer

No 24

1st Line Ammo (per gun)

VARIANTS

The 18-pr evolved throughout its life. The Mk 4 gun was a major change (there was no Mk 3), and the 4A and 4B introduced autofrettaged barrels to replace the original Mk 4 and earlier wire-bound types. The Mk 4 carriage replaced the pole trail with a box trail and introduced a platform. Mk 5 carriage was a split trail design.

Note 1 - The original Mk 1 Gun had a spring recuperator
Note 2 - Streamline shells were only available with HE or bursting smoke (WP), they were introduced after WW1. Earlier shells (called Mk 2 in WW1) were 2 crh.
Note 3 - Fuze No 117

Picture List

18-pr Gun Mk 4 on Carriage 18-pr Mk4P - a studio picture

18-pr Gun Mk 4 on Carriage 18-pr Mk5P - a studio picture

Gun Detachment duties in action:

No 1	Detachment Commander	No 2	Breech and range setting
No 3	Layer, fire gun	No 4	Loader
No 5	Ammunition	No 6	Ammunition

Equipment Publications:
(Post WW1)
Range Tables Part 1:
26/Manuals/618      18-pr Mks 1 - 4, 2 CRH Shrapnel, 4/7� CRH HE, 1929.
26/Manuals/1025    18-pr Mks 1 - 5, 2 CRH Shrapnel, 4/7� CRH HE, 1929.
26/Manuals/1454    18-pr Mks 1 - 4, 2 CRH Shrapnel, 4 CRH HE, 1937.
26/Manuals/2576    18-pr Mks 1 - 4, Full Charge, 2 CRH Shrapnel, 4/7� CRH HE, 1940.

Gun Drill:
40/WO/7366          18-pr QF Mk 4, Carriage Mks 3 & 3*, 1920.
40/WO/7366          18-pr QF Mks 1 - 2, Carriage Mks 1* & 2, 1923.
40/WO/9030          18-pr QF Mk 4, Carriage Mk 5, 1924.
26/Manuals/472      18-pr QF Mk 4, Carriage Mk 3T, 4 & 5, 1928.
26/Manuals/1361    18-pr QF Mk 4, Carriage Mk 3T - 5R, 1934
26/GS Pubs/118     18-pr QF Mks 1 - 2*, Carriage Mk 1 - 2* 1939.

Handbook:
40/WO/8218         Ordnance, QF, 18-pr Mk 4 Gun on Mks 3, 3*, 3t,4 & 5 Field Carriage, 1924.
26/Manuals/351    Ordnance, QF, 18-pr Mks 1 & 2 Guns on Mks 1 to 2R Field Carriage, 1929.
26/Manuals/719    Ordnance, QF, 18-pr Mk 4 Gun on Mks 3t, 3tr, 4, 4R, 5 & 5R Field Carriage, 1931.
37/Guns/1085       Ordnance, QF, 18-pr Mk 4, 4A & 4B Guns on Carraiges Mks 3T, 3TR,4, 4P & 4R, 1938.
26/Manuals/2279 Ordnance, QF, 18-pr Mks 1 to 2* Guns on Carriages Mks 2, 2P, 2PA & 2R, 1940.
                           Ordnance, QF, 18-pr Mks 1 to 2* Guns on Carriage Mk 2P (LP) Field Carriage, 1940.
                           Ordnance, QF, 18-pr Mks 4, 4A & 4B Guns on Carriages, 18-pr Mks 3T, 3TR, 4P, 4R, 5, 5P & 5R, 1940.

Identification List:
57/Guns/560 QF, 18-pr Mk 4 Gun on Mks 3T - 5R Field Carriage, 1930.
57/Guns/848 QF, 18-pr Mks 1 - 2* Gun on Mks 1* - 2R Field Carriage, 1934.

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