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BL 18 Inch Howitzer Mk1 Serial No LI

Ordnance. BL 18 Inch Howitzer Mk1 Serial No LI This howitzer is the sole survivor of five pieces built by the Elswick Ordnance company in 1917 for service in France. It was completed in 1919 too late for the Great War and carried out proof firing at Shoeburyness in 1921. it was originally mounted on an operational 164 Ton railway mounting. The present mounting is a unique 95 ton railway proof sleigh made by the Royal Carriage Department in 1886.

The 18 Inch Howitzer is the largest piece of ordnance ever to enter British Land service. It has been at Shoeburyness continuously since 1940. Between 1943 and 1959 it was used to project 1000ib bombs against concrete targets. It has fired a total of 455 rounds and is in its first quarter of barrel life.

LI Ordnance
Weight of barrel – 85 tons
Weight of shell – 2,500 lbs
Weight of charge – 282 lbs Max
Maximum range 24,600 yards 13.97 Miles

No 10 Mounting
Weight – 95 tons
Maximum elevation – 10Deg

The person stood next to the shell in picture 11 is 6' 3'' and 20 stone which should give you some idea of just how big this shell is..