What type, or at what caliber do outgoing shells audibly whistle?

BradR · 04-21-20, 08:27 PM

I've watched various footage of large caliber guns firing. On watching large German coastal emplacements in France firing on Dover, I noticed a loud whistle as the shell left the breaches of 12in+ caliber cannons. I've also seen footage of American 16in and 5in guns firing, and have not noticed the whistle. At what caliber will an outgoing shell do this? Is this a result of specific German design in their shells? Is this also normal for smaller calibers, like 5in, 6in, or 8in guns?

MaDef · 04-21-20, 08:41 PM

As far as I know projectiles don't whistle. You may hear the noise of the sonic "boom" as the round passes. Technically a round could "whine" if there is a defect in the round. but I've never heard of a whistle sound as the round is fired.

BradR · 04-21-20, 09:02 PM

I noticed it in this video. The sound is quite destinct and they show it multiple times. Is this perhaps because the cameraman is to the side and a distance from the guns?

Rockstar · 04-21-20, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradR

I've watched various footage of large caliber guns firing. On watching large German coastal emplacements in France firing on Dover, I noticed a loud whistle as the shell left the breaches of 12in+ caliber cannons. I've also seen footage of American 16in and 5in guns firing, and have not noticed the whistle. At what caliber will an outgoing shell do this? Is this a result of specific German design in their shells? Is this also normal for smaller calibers, like 5in, 6in, or 8in guns?

The only place I've ever heard anything which describes the sound certain shells make. Was by the character Stanislaus 'Kat' Katczinsky in the movie All Quiet on the Western Front.

MaDef · 04-21-20, 10:57 PM

I watched the video, I "think" that sound is edited in for those guns. I listened to it a few times and the sound reminds me of the the movie Kelly's Heroes or the "Big Red One"

I do know from experience that the 3" 5" and 16" naval guns do not make that sound. they go bang and the sound lasts less than a second.

BradR · 04-22-20, 06:37 AM

I appreciate the response guys. You are the primary sources I wanted to ask, being navy vets and naval historians. I've found a lot of evidence to suggest incoming shells whistle (it's the ones that don't make a sound that you should worry about), but evidence of outgoing shells has been anecdotal at best. I have a book on Jutland that is a great source because of the first hand written accounts of sailors who were there, and I can't find any reference to outgoing shells either. I had considered splicing in the whistle sound for the cannons in Destroyer Command, to make those sounds more realistic, but if it's some Hollywood borne inaccuracy, I'll leave it be. Thanks again guys.

04-21-20, 08:27 PM	#1
BradR Watch Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 18 Downloads: 97 Uploads: 0	What type, or at what caliber do outgoing shells audibly whistle? I've watched various footage of large caliber guns firing. On watching large German coastal emplacements in France firing on Dover, I noticed a loud whistle as the shell left the breaches of 12in+ caliber cannons. I've also seen footage of American 16in and 5in guns firing, and have not noticed the whistle. At what caliber will an outgoing shell do this? Is this a result of specific German design in their shells? Is this also normal for smaller calibers, like 5in, 6in, or 8in guns?

04-21-20, 10:57 PM	#5
MaDef Ace of the Deep Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,194 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	I watched the video, I "think" that sound is edited in for those guns. I listened to it a few times and the sound reminds me of the the movie Kelly's Heroes or the "Big Red One" I do know from experience that the 3" 5" and 16" naval guns do not make that sound. they go bang and the sound lasts less than a second. Last edited by MaDef; 04-21-20 at 11:09 PM.

04-21-20, 08:41 PM	#2
MaDef Ace of the Deep Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,194 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	As far as I know projectiles don't whistle. You may hear the noise of the sonic "boom" as the round passes. Technically a round could "whine" if there is a defect in the round. but I've never heard of a whistle sound as the round is fired.

04-21-20, 09:02 PM	#3
BradR Watch Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 18 Downloads: 97 Uploads: 0	I noticed it in this video. The sound is quite destinct and they show it multiple times. Is this perhaps because the cameraman is to the side and a distance from the guns?

04-22-20, 06:37 AM	#6
BradR Watch Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 18 Downloads: 97 Uploads: 0	I appreciate the response guys. You are the primary sources I wanted to ask, being navy vets and naval historians. I've found a lot of evidence to suggest incoming shells whistle (it's the ones that don't make a sound that you should worry about), but evidence of outgoing shells has been anecdotal at best. I have a book on Jutland that is a great source because of the first hand written accounts of sailors who were there, and I can't find any reference to outgoing shells either. I had considered splicing in the whistle sound for the cannons in Destroyer Command, to make those sounds more realistic, but if it's some Hollywood borne inaccuracy, I'll leave it be. Thanks again guys.