12.7 cm/40 Type 89 naval gun

The 12.7 cm/40 Type 89 naval gun (40 Kokei Hachikyu Shiki 12 Senchi 7 Kokakuho) was a Japanese anti-aircraft (AA) gun introduced before World War II. It was the Imperial Japanese Navy's standard heavy AA gun during the war.

12.7 cm/40 Type 89 naval gun
Type 89 gun mounted on Chitose
Type	Naval gun anti-aircraft gun
Place of origin	Empire of Japan
Service history
In service	1932–45
Used by	Imperial Japanese Navy
Wars	World War II
Production history
Designed	1928–32
Produced	1932–45
No. built	~1500
Variants	Type 88
Specifications
Mass	3,100 kilograms (6,834 lb)
Barrel length	5,080 millimeters (16 ft 8 in) (bore length)
Shell	Fixed 127 x 580mm .R
Shell weight	20.9–23.45 kilograms (46.1–51.7 lb)
Caliber	12.7-centimeter (5.0 in)
Breech	horizontal breech block
Elevation	-8° to +90°
Rate of fire	8-14 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocity	720–725 meters per second (2,360–2,380 ft/s)
Maximum firing range	9,440 meters (30,970 ft) at 90° (AA ceiling) 14,800 meters (48,600 ft) at 45°

The Type 89 was adopted by the IJN on February 6, 1932, and was the primary anti-aircraft gun on new aircraft carriers, battleships and cruisers, most commonly installed in twin gun mounts. It was used as the primary armament of the Matsu-class destroyers. As IJN ships were upgraded in the 1930s and 1940s, older AA guns such as 8 cm/40 3rd Year Type naval gun and 12 cm/45 10th Year Type naval guns were replaced with Type 89s.

References

• Campbell, John (1985). Naval Weapons of World War Two. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-459-4.

External links

• 12.7 cm/40 Type 89 on navweaps.com