How did battleships aim their guns?

USN Battleships had the most sophisticated analog-mechanical computers to aim their guns. They took in the following information and used it to compute a firing solution: Distance and bearing to the target (input from manual observations or radar. Propellant load (1–6 bags)

How do ship turrets work?

A wing turret is a gun turret mounted along the side, or the wings, of a warship, off the centerline. The positioning of a wing turret limits the gun’s arc of fire, so that it generally can contribute to only the broadside weight of fire on one side of the ship.

How did battleships fire?

But they were once the kings of the seas, essentially sea dragons that could literally breathe fire. But these behemoths didn’t take shots in combat willy-nilly. They typically fired in salvos or partial salvos, with all or most of their guns firing at once.

How far does a battleship move when firing?

A battleship will not capsize but will move about six feet sideways due to the recoil of her guns – the water acts like a buffer.

How far could the USS Missouri shoot?

The Mighty Mo’s 16″/50 caliber Mark 7 guns fired 1,900 and 2,700 pound projectiles up to 24 miles away.

What is the difference between a turret and a tower?

A turret is simply a small, circular tower attached to a larger structure, usually on a corner or angle. The difference between a turret and an actual tower is that turrets typically don’t start at the ground level and, rather, cantilever out from another upper level.

What kind of guns were used in WW2 battleships?

At the outbreak of World War II, most battleships had large anti-aircraft batteries. The battleships used the same light AA guns (the Allies used autocannons such as the Bofors 40 mm gun and Oerlikon 20 mm cannon) as those on smaller ships, but in greater number.

Why did the US have so many battleships in WW2?

They were designed to be bigger and more powerful of course, and also easily capable of crossing oceans to project power wherever needed. By the time the U.S. got into World War Two, the fleet of battleships was nearly 25 years old and seriously outdated, but it was what the Navy had.

How thick is the upper armored belt on a battleship?

World War I battleship, German and Italian World War II battleships had lighter upper armored belts to protect sides up to the main or weather deck. Main belt thickness along the waterline ranged from 10″ to 15″, upper belt thickness ranged from 4″ to 10″.

What ships fired 10-gun broadsides in WW2?

For example, HMS Rodney to the Bismarck and the Warspite and Valiant to the Italian heavy cruisers at the Battle of Matapan. The Duke of York fired at least one 10-gun broadside at the Scharnhorst at the Battle of the North Cape in 1943.