Tim Hillier Posted 5 May , 2015 Share Posted 5 May , 2015 Hello, The following two images I inherited from my Aunt which her father (my Grandfather) had kept along with his diaries and other records from his time in the Royal Artillery. I think they may date from the time during or just after WW1. The second one I believe may be an 18 pounder. The headings for these photos are my own supposition of the events in questions. Many thanks Kind Regards Tim Hillier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 5 May , 2015 Share Posted 5 May , 2015 The first photo is post WW1 - collar badges being worn and lanyards on the right. Reckon the gun is a 13 pdr in both pictures, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sepoy Posted 5 May , 2015 Share Posted 5 May , 2015 The photograph is certainly post WW1 but I do not think they are 13 Pounder QF Field Guns because of the lack of the recoil spring housing over the barrel. I do not think they are 18 pounders either, for the same reason.Initially, I thought they were 4.5" QF Howitzers but the discarded shell cartridge cases are too large. Sepoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
14276265 Posted 5 May , 2015 Share Posted 5 May , 2015 Top photo is 18pdr Mk4 gun on Mk5 split-trail carriage. Bottom photo is 18pdr Mk4 gun on Mk4 box trail carriage. The Mk4 gun was only introduced in 1918, but served throughout the interwar years and was made obsolete in 1940. 265 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 5 May , 2015 Share Posted 5 May , 2015 18 pdr recuperator was over the barrel - you can just see it on the second photograph between the spokes of the wheel and it is below the barrel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
14276265 Posted 5 May , 2015 Share Posted 5 May , 2015 The Mk4 carriage used a new design of hydro pneumatic recoil system and moved the recuperator from above to below the gun barrel. 265 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 6 May , 2015 Share Posted 6 May , 2015 Thanks for the info - thought I was seeing things after referring to my 1913 handbook for the 18 pdr. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
14276265 Posted 6 May , 2015 Share Posted 6 May , 2015 While a completely new weapon, it used the standard 18pdr ammunition and hence retained the 18pdr nomenclature. It was the precursor to the 1936 approved "Ordnance QF 3.45in MkI" - which ultimately evolved into the famous 25pdr. A trawl of the usual resources yields some photos. Herewith one courtesy of AWM Canberra - "Firing an 18 Pounder Mk IV gun during a night exercise by the 1st Field Brigade." https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/128404/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
14276265 Posted 6 May , 2015 Share Posted 6 May , 2015 Two more photos courtesy of IWM, London. "18-pdr field guns in action during training exercises at the School of Artillery at Larkhill, May 1940." http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205197134 "Morris Commercial-Roadless Mk.II, Half-Track, Field Artillery Tractor towing an 18 pounder field gun and limber." http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205212650 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 7 May , 2015 Share Posted 7 May , 2015 Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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