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ARTILLERY REGISTER |
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| Type of Gun: |
QF 6 Pounder Anti Tank Gun |
| Location: |
National Artillery Museum, North Fort, Manly, NSW |
| GPS Location: |
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| Serial Number: |
L47281 |
| Date of Manufacture: |
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| Manufacturer: |
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| Calibre: |
2.24 inch - 57 mm |
| Weight of Projectile: |
6 lb - 2.7 kg |
| Range: |
8,990 metres - 9,830 yards |
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| Historical Specifics: |
The need for an anti tank gun larger then the 2 pounder became apparent early in the war but production problems delayed a replacement. The 6 pounder came into service in 1941. It was issued to the anti tank units, at which time the 2 pounders were handed over to the infantry. The 2/3 Australian Anti Tank Regiment used the 6 pounder at the battle of El Alamein.
The 6 Pounder used a vertical sliding breech block and incorporated a semi automatic action that opened the breech when the gun fired. This allowed for more rounds to be fired, an important improvement against tanks. The gun also moved away from conventional British by employing a spilt trail. This allowed for a larger traverse on the gun – 45 degrees each side of centre. Although the gun could fire a round out to nearly 9,000 metres its effective range against tanks was a maximum 800 metres.
Over 1,280 guns were used of which some 450 were made locally. The gun was used in the Middle east, New Guinea and the Islands. They were withdrawn from service in 1954. |
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| General Information on Gun Type: |
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