Bofors Mk 7 Naval Anti Aircraft Gun : HMAS Sydney (III)

Bofors, forty millimetre anti aircraft gun on a Mk 7 Naval mount. This two man mount is made largely from aluminium alloy for lightness and it has been painted in overall light sea grey. An electric motor is fitted to the starboard side of the mount which provides power to operate the hydraulic and sighting systems. Two pressure gauges and a network of hydraulic hosing with fittings, are included. Also fitted on the starboard side is a six stack, ammunition rack, that can hold six, four round clips of ready to use 40mm ammunition. The gunner sits on the port side of the mount, partly protected in an aluminium bin. Using a two handled yoke the gunner can lay the gun and control elevation, depression and traverse. The weapon is fired by depressing a foot pedal. Fitted above the gunners head is a rectangular shaped glass and prismatic 'gyro' sight which is also electrically operated. The sighting mechanism moves in sync with the gun elvation and depression. The loaders station is on the starboard side adjacent to the ammunition clip rack. The gun receiver is finished in sea grey with the barrel in black. The curved, ejector shute, fitted to the underside of the receiver, is finished in red and black.

This Mk 7 gun mount is from the former Majestic class aircraft carrier, HMAS Sydney. The Sydney III (originally named Terrible) was constructed in Davenport in Britain and was launched in 1944. She was commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy in December 1948 and arrived in Australia in May 1949. HMAS Sydney saw service during the Korean War, and operated Seafury and Firefly aircraft. At this time thirty Bofors guns were mounted to protect HMAS Sydney against air attack. In 1962 Sydney was recommissioned as a fast amphibious transport. In this role, she made over twenty ferrying voyages, carrying troops and supplies to South Vietnam.