I just got back off my hols, where out in the car one day I stumbled across this exotic beastie. There isn't much info on the web but I've gleaned that it's one of four 9.2" naval guns emplaced during WWII to defend the naval base at Simonstown South Africa. I've read one anecdote from one of the female volunteers that manned them that says when they test fired an identical one overlooking Cape Town it blew out the windows of houses a mile away.
Side view looking Northeast. Another of the four guns can just be seen in this pic just a little high and to the right of the end of the barrel. It was inside a military compound and inaccessible. Maybe even in working condition?
Rear view, I'm not sure what purpose the concrete blocks served.
Inside the turret, what looks like the loading mechanism, but no breech block is apparent. looks like they have chavs in SA too.
Below the turret the traverse mechanism seems mostly complete.
A shot of one of the ready magazines.
Detail of a turret hatch probably used for aiming.
The money shot.
Last but not least the commanding view over the naval base.
Thanks for looking.
Steve
Side view looking Northeast. Another of the four guns can just be seen in this pic just a little high and to the right of the end of the barrel. It was inside a military compound and inaccessible. Maybe even in working condition?
Rear view, I'm not sure what purpose the concrete blocks served.
Inside the turret, what looks like the loading mechanism, but no breech block is apparent. looks like they have chavs in SA too.
Below the turret the traverse mechanism seems mostly complete.
A shot of one of the ready magazines.
Detail of a turret hatch probably used for aiming.
The money shot.
Last but not least the commanding view over the naval base.
Thanks for looking.
Steve