Range and Penetration Table for the 38 cm SK C/34 Guns.

[spicmart]

Hello,

Were these data actual test results or just calculated? And how accurate are they? I am especially interested in dispersion.

[Bill Jurens]

Unfortunately, no actual data appears to be associated with your question, so no coherent reply is currently possible. Can you provide the figures you are concerned about?

Bill Jurens

[Thorsten Wahl]

The relevant information should be available in the "Schusstafel der 38 cm SK C/34" (MDV 230...). Unfortunately such document is not available.

sample for 17 cm
ballistics Meppen December1905, August/October1906
ballistics include powder temp, air density, air temperature, athmospherical model..

[spicmart]

Sorry, I forgot to say which figures I mean.
It is this here;
https://www.kbismarck.com/38cm.html

[Thorsten Wahl]

Unterlagen zur Bestimmung Hauptkampfentfernung und Geschosswahl Heft h, Schlachtschiffe Bismarck & Tirpitz

http://forum-marinearchiv.de/coppermine ... %20Tir.PDF

[spicmart]

Unterlagen zur Bestimmung Hauptkampfentfernung und Geschosswahl Heft h, Schlachtschiffe Bismarck & Tirpitz

http://forum-marinearchiv.de/coppermine ... %20Tir.PDF

Thank you Thorsten. That is quite some specialist's banter for me. Maybe there is something in layman's terms....
840 m/s MV for Nelson's shells is a mistake, isn't it?

I was curious about the dispersion of the German 38 cm gun as well as other BB guns.

[Bill Jurens]

The figures given in this German Document are certainly official, and appear to be the best that have survived. (I have not, as yet seen an official tabular range table for Bismarck's guns, though something probably still survives somewhere.) Many individuals have, over the years, converted these graphical presentations back to numerical form, and although the results, though perhaps not perfect, are certainly close enough for analytical purposes. I recently co-authored a paper (Common Ground on Shifting Sands) in Warship International which gives complete standardized range tables (in both graphical and tablular form) for a variety of the most interesting large caliber naval guns produced from about 1920-1945. The values published there will differ somewhat from the 'official' versions given in various navy's range tables, as all have been reduced to a common (admittedly arbitrary) atmospheric standard and all employ best estimate of a similarly standardized initial velocity. International comparison in other-than-standardized conditions is, in many cases, problematical at best.

The figure for Nelson's guns is unlikely to be a 'mistake' in the usual usage of the term. Mistake suggests something was done incorrectly. The figures shown probably represent the Kreigsmarine's 'best guess' as to the characteristics of the British 16" weapon, which -- as might be expected -- the British likely considered confidential. So, it's an 'error', but not really a 'mistake'.

Bill Jurens

[spicmart]

Thank you Mr. Jurens.
Can this paper be acquired somehow? I'm a layman but sometimes like to dive into these things.

[Bill Jurens]

@ Spicmart:

Thanks for your interest.

The paper appears in the latest version (No. 2, 2022) of "Warship International", published by INRO the International Naval Research Organization, of which I am an editor. In that capacity, I'm limited in my ability to freely distribute copies in digital form, as -- of course -- we depend upon subscription sales for our survival.

I'd suggest you start by trying to obtain a copy (of the entire issue) by contacting INRO directly on their website or -- if you are VERY patient -- wait until it becomes available for free in 2027 on JSTOR. (All of our back-issues from c. 2017 on are currently available there...) It's possible that INRO might even be willing to provide you a complimentary copy of the latest issue if you were considering a formal yearly subscription thereafter, but that decision lies beyond my pervue.

Alternatively, some other subscriber to this forum can probably send you a copy 'under the table' by scanning one of their copies. Although I don't particularly LIKE this option, I do understand that such things do indeed occur. (It is, as I recall, about 60 pages long, and contains a good deal of information on the statistical characteristics of armor penetration as well).

If neither of those approaches work, get back to me via a Private Message and we can try to explore Plans "D", "E". and "F".

Bill Jurens

[spicmart]

Thanks again,
Mr. Jurens