Thread: Restoring a Bofor

Originally Posted by Landy Smurf

Top job Jim

Well, thankyou Tony. It gives me an interest in my semi-retirement years

Originally Posted by Ausfree

Yep, they can traverse up to 65 degrees per second and elevate at a similar rate. The Bofor was originally designed as a light anti-aircraft weapon and used as a manual weapon by both sides in WW2. The version we are working on is called a Bristol Bofor and it is electrified and only needs one layer whereas the manual versions needed 2 layers.......one for traverse and one for elevation.

The Poms worked on the Bofor in the early 1950's and electrified them by installing motors and batteries. The Australian Army used the Bristol Bofor until 1971, but I believe the navy used them on the Fremantle class patrol boats until the 1990's (Bob, might be able to correct me here).

Their secondary role was anti-tank, using AP ammunition.

The Fremantle class was the last to use the 40/60, an all electric stabilised mount, from memory. MK1 eyeball sights, we used to think if we had to use it in anger, the situation would have been desperate. The 40/60 was fired in anger for the last time from HMAS Vendetta, during her time on the gunline, Vietnam. It proved ideal for sinking water borne logistic craft carrying arms & supplies up and down the coast, close inshore. She fired 414 rounds of 40/60, and 13, 294 rounds of 4.5inch. On Vampire, and all Darings, we had two twin mounts aft, two single mounts fwd. The twin mounts were director controlled, fwd mounts MK 1 eyeball. The Port side single mount was designated the stokers mount, on the few times they decided to add a bit of competition to the shoot. Didn't happen often, possibly because the stokers nearly shot down the tug aircraft, once.

When I was a young lad (about 12) I had the honor of being in/on a Patrol Boat in the early 70's for a few days.
From memory she was HMAS Barbette?
Anyway I'm pretty sure she had a Bofors gun which they fired a few times while I was on board.
Great fun for a 12 year old.
And the Navy fellas were Top Blokes & looked after me very well.
Jonesfam

Originally Posted by bob10

The Fremantle class was the last to use the 40/60, an all electric stabilised mount, from memory. MK1 eyeball sights, we used to think if we had to use it in anger, the situation would have been desperate. The 40/60 was fired in anger for the last time from HMAS Vendetta, during her time on the gunline, Vietnam. It proved ideal for sinking water borne logistic craft carrying arms & supplies up and down the coast, close inshore. She fired 414 rounds of 40/60, and 13, 294 rounds of 4.5inch. On Vampire, and all Darings, we had two twin mounts aft, two single mounts fwd. The twin mounts were director controlled, fwd mounts MK 1 eyeball. The Port side single mount was designated the stokers mount, on the few times they decided to add a bit of competition to the shoot. Didn't happen often, possibly because the stokers nearly shot down the tug aircraft, once.

Must have been a stuff up somewhere. The tow line from the tug aircraft to the drogue is extremely long. On live firing exercises the tug was well over our heads before the drogue was in a position to be fired at and the range safety officer gave the all- clear to commence firing.

Originally Posted by Ausfree

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Must have been a stuff up somewhere. The tow line from the tug aircraft to the drogue is extremely long. On live firing exercises the tug was well over our heads before the drogue was in a position to be fired at and the range safety officer gave the all- clear to commence firing.

Don't forget, we were travelling at speed, in a seaway, and I was a bit tongue in cheek.

If Bob's mob were as good as my Old Man's mob (RN), the pilot was safe. Dad and two or three other Seamen and an Officer were going ashore when they spotted a shark. The Seamen spent all their ammo with their long arms and the Officer expended all of his side arm bullets, the shark left unscathed.