sspahr -> RE: Porters AAA suite (12/15/2009 7:28:57 AM)
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I think this is a mistake. The "sp" in "5in/38 Mk 12 sp EBR guns" probably means single purpose, because the Porter class DDs (and Somers class) used a single purpose mount to save weight, and therefore couldn't elevate their guns past 35 degree. Navweaps.com says they did carry some AA common rounds for use against torpedo planes, but I think they had single purpose directors only, so they wouldn't have been effective in the AA role. Later in the war they were rearmed with 5in DP mounts. Similarly, the Japanese 12.7cm/50 3YT is given a DP capability nearly as effective as the USN DP 5/38 (accuracy 59 and effect 51 vs. 62 and 55 respectively for the US gun), but according to Navweaps.com it was a very ineffective AA weapon primarily due to slow rates of fire and the need to return an elevation of 10-15 degrees for loading. The US gun could be reloaded at any elevation due to power ramming.
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