Talk:BL 8-inch howitzer Mk I – V

According to the draft history in Kew's MUN5/373/9227

Originally a conversion from 6" gun, shortened and chamber enlarged. Mk was wire bound A tube., mks 1 - 5 had differing cradles all elevs -5 to + 45 deg. Hydraulics buffers and springs.  It was easier to make than 9.2 and much like 6" How. Repair of Mks 1 - 4 was discontinued in summer 1917.

At first production was confined to the Admiralty (comment - probably because 6"gun was basically naval) but in Dec 1914 Armstrongs and Vickers were each asked to convert 4 and Beardmore's 3. Demand for 8" upset the production plan that each gun would have only 2 manufacturers. In autumn 1915 Woolwich were converting 40.

Production figures:

Mk 1 - 12 (Mar - Jul 15) Mk 2 - 6 (May) Mk 3 - 6 May Jun Mk 4 - 8 Oct Mk 5 - 4 Dec, + 59 1916 Nfe 04:15, 16 November 2007 (UTC)


 * Thanks for contributing that ! I've updated the page, would you like to review it and make any further corrections ? Rcbutcher 07:00, 16 November 2007 (UTC)

Wrong model picture?
The gun in the bottom picture marked "howitzer receiving new barrel" is not a Mk 1-5 but a Mk 6-8 (cf.), as can be seen from, e.g., the absence of return pistons above the barrel, the thinner barrel, the two interrupted mantle collars, and the narrower wheels. The short barrel would suggest a Mk 6.--Death Bredon (talk) 19:53, 25 September 2008 (UTC)