Mk II = Mark 2 = Model 2. Britain and the United States have used Roman numerals to denote Marks or Models of ordnance. Thus Mk II would be the second model of a gun or howitzer in service.
Mk I Truck Type with a Mk ? ‘Warwell’ Mounting Platform
Mk II Truck Type with a Mk ? ‘Warflat’ Mounting Platform
Mk I Truck’ Type with a Mk I? ‘Cradle’ Mounting Platform
Mk I ‘Box Truck’ Type with a Mk II ‘Cradle’ Mounting Platform
Mk I Truck Type on a modern Drop Center Flatcar
krupp Schnabel Flat with Well Hole Cradle Mounting Platform
Krupp Schnabel Modular
Platform Types
Guns or Cannon Could: Batter heavy construction with solid shot at long or Short range; destroy fort parapets and, by ricochet fire, dismount cannon, shoot grape, canister, or bombs against massed personnel.
Howitzers Could: Move more easily in the field than mortars; reach targets behind obstructions by high angle fire; shoot larger projectiles than could field guns or cannon of similar weight.
Mortars Could: Reach targets behind obstructions; use high angle fire to shoot bombs, destroying construction and personnel.
Shell Trajectory Patterns
Most heavy railroad guns use some type of Schnabel load mounting systems (See ‘Cradle Mounting Platforms’ Right). They held many replacement advantages similar to the modern Krupp Schnabel cars are of modular design. By changing individual assemblies and using additional or variations of support elements, the railroad guns could use the same parts while allowing them to be adapted in an optimum manner to varying transport requirements. This versatility also extends to the number of axles. As shown in the example of a 36-axle car (See Example Below).
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, the wheel arrangement of leading wheel axles or trucks are noted first, then the number of powered and coupled driving wheels their axles, and finally the trailing wheels on their axles or trucks. Thus, for example, 2-8-2 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels on one axle or a leading truck, eight powered and coupled driving wheels on four axles, and two trailing wheels on one axle or trailing truck. This particular configuration of steam locomotive is most often referred to as a Mikado.
Locomotive Wheel Arraignments
