5''/54 Mark 41
History
The 5" Mk 16 grew out of a design study to replace the 5"/38 Mark 12 and was originally planned to be placed on the Montana class Battleships in a mounting similar to the 5/38 Mark 28. Instead, they made their first service debut on the Midway class aircraft carriers and the gunnery training ship USS Mississippi in 1945 in the 5''/54 Mark 39 mounting. The twin mounting was not build due to the cancellation of the Montana class. In July 1944 the design of a new twin mounting began for the purpose of fitting this more compact mounting on the new destroyers (DD-927 class) then being designed. The new Mk 41 mounting had the guns placed close together in a smaller, streamlined shield that allowed for a hole in the deck no bigger then that for the Mk 5"/38. Crew would be reduced to ten to twelve.
It was hoped that the mounting could reach 18 shots per gun per minute at all elevation angles. Fire control would be done by an on-mount director in the form of Gunar Mk I.
This mounting was never build, instead the more automated 5''/54 Mark 42 was build.
There are a few things to keep in mind when using this mounting in a design:
- The Gunar system did require additional belowdeck space for the control cabinet and 2 operators not too far from the mounting.
- The ammunition loading platform in the magazine swivels with the mount. This means access from all sides is required in the magazine. The elevators for each gun are opposite each other so you need access on both sides at the same time when firing both guns in the mounting.
- The mounting is drawn based on limited sources, but is as accurate as the artist can make it. Details like the placement of the AN/SPG-48 antenna is fully guestimated based on other mountings.
Used on
- CL-154 class (proposed)
- DD-927 class (proposed)
Affiliated systems
Part description
For this part, front, top and bode sideviews are drawn. There are 2 basic versions, one with Gunar fitted and one without. Belowdeck components are included. A third image is included due to the complex rounded shape of the gunshield, providing a shaded part for different light conditions on different views.
