The energy of the
recoil brings the gun back and at the same time recharges the
compressed air reservoir.
The gun is so mounted upon its pedestal as to enable a maximum
vertical inclination of 75 degrees to be obtained. The mounting
system also enables the weapon to be trained in any desired
direction up to the foregoing maximum elevation throughout a
complete circle, and it can be handled with ease and celerity. A
smaller "Archibald" is the 7.5 centimetre (3-inch gun) throwing a
14.3 pound shell at an initial velocity of about 2,170 feet per
second.
The turret anti-aircraft gun carried upon a motor-car differs
from the foregoing very considerably. This is a protected arm.
The gun of 7.1 centimetres--approximately 2.75 inches--is mounted
in the same manner upon the car-deck and over the driving axle,
but is enclosed within a sheet steel turret, which is proof
against rifle and machine-gun fire. This turret resembles the
conning-tower of a battleship, and is sufficiently spacious to
house the whole of the gun crew, the internal diameter being
about seven feet. Access to the turret is obtained through a
rear door.
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