View source for BL 16 inch Mk I naval gun

{{Infobox Weapon
|name=Ordnance BL 16 inch Mark I
|image=[[Image:HMSRodneyGunsElevated1940.jpg|300 px]]
|caption=Guns of HMS Rodney at maximum elevation, 1940 
|origin= UK
|type= naval gun
<!-- Type selection -->
|is_ranged=yes
|is_bladed=
|is_explosive=
|is_artillery=yes
|is_vehicle=
|is_UK=yes
<!-- Service history -->
|service= 1927-1948
|used_by=UK
|wars= 
<!-- Production history -->
|designer= 
|design_date=1922
|manufacturer=
|production_date=
|number= 
|variants= 
<!-- General specifications -->
|weight= 108&nbsp;[[long ton|tons]] (109.7&nbsp;tonnes)
|length= 61&nbsp;ft 10&nbsp;in (18.85&nbsp;m)
|part_length= 60&nbsp;ft (18.3&nbsp;m)
|width=
|height=
|crew=
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications --> 
|cartridge= separate charge, AP shell 2,048&nbsp;lb (929&nbsp;kg)
|caliber=16&nbsp;inch (406&nbsp;mm)
|action= 
|rate= 1.5 rounds per minute as fitted
|velocity= 2,586&nbsp;feet/second (788&nbsp;m/s)
|range= 35,000&nbsp;yards (32,000&nbsp;m) at 32° elevation
|max_range= 39,780&nbsp;yards (36,375&nbsp;m)
|feed= 
|sights= 
<!-- Artillery specifications -->
|breech=[[Welin breech block|Welin]]
|recoil=
|carriage=
|elevation=40° in mounting Mark I
|traverse=
<!-- Bladed weapon specifications --> 
<!-- Explosive specifications --> 
<!-- Vehicle specifications -->
}}

The '''[[British ordnance terms#BL|BL]] 16 inch Mark I''' was a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[naval artillery|naval gun]] introduced in the 1920s and used on the [[Nelson class battleship|''Nelson'' class battleships]]. The barrel was 45 [[Caliber (artillery)|calibre]]s long, /45 in  shorthand, meaning it was 45 x 16&nbsp;inches = 720&nbsp;inches long.

These [[built-up gun]]s had originally been planned for the cancelled [[G3 battlecruiser]] design upon which the ''Nelson'' class drew.

An improved weapon, the '''BL 16 inch Mark II''' was designed, but not produced, for the cancelled [[Lion class battleship|''Lion'' class battleships]].

[[Armstrong Whitworth|Sir W. G. Armstrong Whitworth & Company]] at [[Elswick, Tyne and Wear|Elswick]], [[Vickers Limited|Vickers]] at [[Barrow-in-Furness]], [[William Beardmore & Company]] at [[Dalmuir]] and the [[Royal Arsenal|Royal Gun Factory]] at [[Woolwich]] made a total of 29 guns of which 18 would be required for both ships at any time.

==See also==
{{Commons|Category:BL 16 inch Mk I naval gun}}

*[[List of naval guns]]

==References==
*Tony DiGiulian, [http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNBR_16-45_mk1.htm British 16"/45 (40.6 cm) Mark I]
*Terry Duncan, [http://www.bobhenneman.info/British16.htm The British 16" Mark I Gun and Mounting]

{{WWIIBritishCommNavalWeapons}}

[[Category:World War II naval weapons]]
[[Category:Naval guns of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:400 mm artillery]]

{{artillery-stub}}


[[Category:2Fix]]