Quote:
Originally posted by T. A. Gardner:
Note how even the British went to the 77mm (a cut down 17 pdr) late in the war (used first in the Comet). This was done in large part to rectify the above problems with the 17pdr.
|
Not in performance terms - the 17 pdr would have been preferred but it just wouldn't fit in the Comet, so the smaller anmd less powerful 77mm had to be used instead.
The lower barrel life goes with the high velocity which you need to get good penetration. And the reduced 'bench-rest' accuracy would in real life have been compensated for by the shorter flight time and flatter trajectory, reducing the effect of aiming errors.
The 17 pdr was the best Allied tank gun IMO, although if you could afford a bigger tank then a bigger calibre would get you more effective HE shells as well as greater destructiveness after penetration.
Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition
website and Discussion
forum