3.7 inch / Thunderbird Missile

36th Heavy Air Defence Regiment |

3.7 inch / Thunderbird Missile

On this page you will find information on the two main Equipments that have been

associated with 36 Regiment since the Second World War.

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36th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment - 36th Guided Weapon Regiment (Anti-Aircraft) - 36th Heavy Air Defence Regiment

QF 3.7-in Heavy Anti-aircraft Gun

36th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment was made up of three Batteries,

each with two Troops, and each Troop having four 3.7 Guns.

QF 3.7-in heavy anti-aircraft gun on mobile mounting.

The Mark 2 was designed for a static mounting for use in fixed defences

The 3.7 was introduced in 1937, fortunately allowing enough time for production to get under

way before the outbreak of World War 2. It fired a 28-lb (12.72 kg) shell to a ceiling of

32,000 feet (9754 m), a significant improvement on the 3-inch.

During the war an automatic fuze-setter (MFS No 11) and an automatic loader were fitted. These not

only speeded up the rate of fire, but by eliminating variations in time taken by individuals in loading

and fuze-setting, enabled guns to follow data supplied by predictor more closely. Thus the new machinery

not only increased the rate of fire from 10 to 20 rpm, but also improved accuracy.

Guns so equipped were designated Mark 3A.

QF 3.7 gun showing additional automatic loading and fuze-setting equipment.

This was the Mark 3A.

But as World War 2 progressed, and bombers flew ever higher, still more effective equipment was

demanded to cope with them. Experiments with a proposed 4.7-inch gun were not successful so in 1941

a number of Naval QF 4.5-in guns were obtained, the barrels lined down to 3.7, but the original

chamber retained so that a 4.5 cartridge could be fired. This combination sent the same

28-lb shell to 45,000 feet (13,776 metres).

To increase the performance of the 4.5/3.7 combination Colonel Probert of the Research Department,

Woolwich Arsenal, developed a special barrel in which the rifling gradually decreased in depth from the

breech to five calibres from the muzzle where it disappeared altogether and the barrel became smooth-bored.

In addition to a heavier driving band the projectile was fitted with 'steadying bands' near the shoulder.

The smooth-bore section of the barrel swaged down the driving and steadying bands flush with the surface

of the shell, thus improving its ballistic qualities.

The Probert system of rifling, as in the Mark 6 3.7 gun.

The precise ceiling achieved by the Mk 6 gun is not known but is believed

to have been over 50,000 feet (15,240 metres).

In the latter stages of World War 2 the Allies enjoyed air superiority, so a number of 3.7 guns were

converted to fire. in the field role in which they performed satisfactorily - where crest clearance was

no problem. The late WO1(SMIG) JT (Terry) Transom converted a 3.7 at the School of Artillery in 1956.

A QF 4.5-in howitzer sight-supporting pintle was welded to the top of the traversing gear column, and

on the pintle was attached a 4.5 sight bracket with a dial sight. On the elevation side of the gun

a sight clinometer was attached to indicate elevation. The combination worked very well but unfortunately

the fire of 1957 which destroyed the 4.5 sight brackets ended further practice.

AEC Matador Gun Tractor

GENERAL DATA:

Calibre:	3.7 inches (94 mm)
Length of barrel:	185 inches (4.7 metres)
Weight:	20,541 lbs (8392 kg)
Shell weight:	28 lbs (12.6 kg)
Rate of fire:	20 rpm
Muzzle velocity:	792 m/s
Maximum horizontal range:	18,800 metres
Maximum effective slant range:	12,000 m
Ceiling:	9,000 m
Number in detachment:	7