We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2007 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/08/the_way_to_the_armorers_good_graces.html Sun, 03 Aug 2008 17:19:01 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2008 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification ...is via firepower. Something SWWBO knows well, having bought me this for Christmas before we got married, and *this* after, and not being annoyed by this or this or this. Now comes AFSis, fresh from New York. (Happy Anniversary, kiddo!) And she sends this, a 24 pounder in Castle Clinton... who could ask for more? Heh. Mebbe cannon with a Cute Chick©? Like this?... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/08/the_way_to_the_armorers_good_graces.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/08/the_way_to_the_armorers_good_graces.html Tue, 30 Aug 2005 13:12:23 -0600 Darnitall. I hate when that happens. Otay. Third question: So, caliber or weight isn't always consistent? You can have a four hundred pound cannon fire and ten pound round? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/08/the_way_to_the_armorers_good_graces.html#comment-31391 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/08/the_way_to_the_armorers_good_graces.html#comment-31391 Thu, 01 Sep 2005 14:46:06 -0600 So, to get the caliber, you divide the length of the barrel by the width of the diameter of the barrel? Is that like 'sizing up a weapon?' http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/08/the_way_to_the_armorers_good_graces.html#comment-31390 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/08/the_way_to_the_armorers_good_graces.html#comment-31390 Thu, 01 Sep 2005 14:43:52 -0600 Cannon is both singular and plural. Cannons is also acceptable. When you see a gun referred to as a 6 pounder, 10 pounder, 12 pounder, 18 pounder, etc, that refers to weight of the "standard" round, normally solid shot, though in later eras it would refer to the standard HE round (such as the 18 pounder howitzer of the Brit Army in WWI). Caliber references bore diameter, and you'll see that in two fashions. One, the generic 105mm or 8 Inch designations, for example. You will also see guns classified as 5inch/38 caliber,5inch/54 caliber, and 5inch/62 Caliber. This is more common in Naval service, where there might be several different versions of a cannon in service. The second number is barrel length expressed in terms of barrel diameter... in the terms of you normals, barrel length divided by barrel diameter. Ground artillery makes those distinctions as well, but in Army usage it rarely makes it into the nomenclature, the Army preferring to use the "M" number, such as the M110 vice the M110A2 howiters, which had 8inch cannon of differing lengths. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/08/the_way_to_the_armorers_good_graces.html#comment-31381 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/08/the_way_to_the_armorers_good_graces.html#comment-31381 Thu, 01 Sep 2005 12:22:25 -0600 LOL. I love old cannons. What is the correct plural for them anyway? Now, in our history lesson for today, we were watching the history channel and one of the Child Labor Units was impressed with a huge cannon. He asks the Armorer this: Was the gauge of the cannon determined by the weight and size of the cannonball? IOW, was it called a ten pounder or a 400 pounder because the ammo weighed that much? We can look it up, but I would rather have an answer from someone who has not only been an artillery officer but has studied them closely as it related to his profession. Thank you. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/08/the_way_to_the_armorers_good_graces.html#comment-31378 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/08/the_way_to_the_armorers_good_graces.html#comment-31378 Thu, 01 Sep 2005 11:35:31 -0600 Oh yeah! Go for it Beth! Good thing Cricket is so far away- she might wrestle you for that Vickers spot.... And thanks for the compliments guys... very nice. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/08/the_way_to_the_armorers_good_graces.html#comment-31323 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/08/the_way_to_the_armorers_good_graces.html#comment-31323 Wed, 31 Aug 2005 09:11:27 -0600 Argghhh! Now we're letting Canadians vote on domestic policy? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/08/the_way_to_the_armorers_good_graces.html#comment-31322 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/08/the_way_to_the_armorers_good_graces.html#comment-31322 Wed, 31 Aug 2005 08:42:21 -0600 *glancing up and counting* *gazing over the assemblage* Motion has been made, seconded and those in favor have been heard. Any *flicking thumb-latch of shoulder holster* opposed? The "ayes" have it. Polish up the Vickers, John... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/08/the_way_to_the_armorers_good_graces.html#comment-31318 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/08/the_way_to_the_armorers_good_graces.html#comment-31318 Wed, 31 Aug 2005 08:25:42 -0600 Yes! Yes! Yes! Cheers JMH http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/08/the_way_to_the_armorers_good_graces.html#comment-31305 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/08/the_way_to_the_armorers_good_graces.html#comment-31305 Tue, 30 Aug 2005 21:35:41 -0600 hmm. John dear, perhaps I should pose with the Vickers? he he he. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/08/the_way_to_the_armorers_good_graces.html#comment-31304 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/08/the_way_to_the_armorers_good_graces.html#comment-31304 Tue, 30 Aug 2005 21:33:21 -0600 Eat yer heart out, Jane Fonda! The Castle's got the Kitty with *real* firepower... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/08/the_way_to_the_armorers_good_graces.html#comment-31299 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/08/the_way_to_the_armorers_good_graces.html#comment-31299 Tue, 30 Aug 2005 15:31:51 -0600 Hubba-hubba - a 3"/50 Packing Mama!!! Who could ask for anything more. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/08/the_way_to_the_armorers_good_graces.html#comment-31295 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/08/the_way_to_the_armorers_good_graces.html#comment-31295 Tue, 30 Aug 2005 13:49:39 -0600 *laughing* I thought you'd get a kick out of those pix.... I should have more up later today, along with your military history lesson for the day. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/08/the_way_to_the_armorers_good_graces.html#comment-31292 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/08/the_way_to_the_armorers_good_graces.html#comment-31292 Tue, 30 Aug 2005 13:36:48 -0600