Spanish
8"/50 (20.3 cm) BL Model 1924 Mark D
Updated 05 September 2006
Based upon a 1924 Vickers design, these guns were of built-up construction.  Their design was lighter than that of the equivalent British 8" (20.3 cm) Mark VIII and the turrets had a smaller diameter roller path.
WNSpain_8-50_m1924_Canaris_pic.jpg

Heavy Cruiser Canaris
.
Images at The Vickers Photographic Archive

See photographs 6332 and 6333

.
.
Gun Characteristics
.
Designation 8"/50 (20.3 cm) Model 1924 Mark D
Ship Class Used On Canaris class
Date Of Design 1924
Date In Service 1936
Gun Weight 15.8 tons (16.05 mt)
Gun Length oa N/A
Bore Length about 400 in (10.160 m)
Rifling Length N/A
Grooves N/A
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Chamber Volume N/A
Rate Of Fire about 3 rounds per minute
.
Ammunition
.
Type Bag
Projectile Types and Weights AP - 256 lbs. (116.1 kg)
Bursting Charge N/A
Projectile Length N/A
Propellant Charge 80 lbs. (36.3 kg)
Muzzle Velocity 2,904 fps (885 mps)
Working Pressure N/A
Approximate Barrel Life N/A
Ammunition stowage per gun N/A
.
Range
.
Elevation With 256 lbs. (116 kg) AP Shell
Range @ about 49 degrees 32,530 yards (29,750 m)
.
Mount / Turret Data
.
Designation Two-gun Turrets
  Canaris (4)
Weight  N/A
Elevation
(see Note)		 -5 / +70 degrees (one source says +50 degrees)
Elevation Rate N/A
Train about +120 / -120 degrees
Train Rate N/A
Gun recoil N/A
Loading Angle +8 degrees
Notes:

1) These mountings were generally similar to the British Mark II and had similar hollow rammers for holding the propellant charges.
2) Regarding the elevation of these mountings; most of the British Mark II mountings had +70 degree elevations, as they were intended to operate in the AA mode.  So, it is quite possible that these Spanish mounts also had as high a maximum elevation.
.
Data from
"Naval Weapons of World War Two" by John Campbell
"Cruisers of World War Two" by M.J. Whitley