Spherical BB turrets

[Manteuffel]

I am wondering why there were no spherical turrets on any battleships in WWII.  Spherical turrets would in theory offer better protection against attacks from the top (bombs) while offering the same amount or greater protection from the front and sides.  I am thinking something like a turret for a T72 tank, but of course larger.  It may be a bit more cramped in the interior, but not significantly.

[Tedster_]

my guess would be that it was probably related to the ability to manufacture something that big and thick.

[Daigensui]

Try casting such a thing.

[Nittany_Lion]

Perhaps to get enough height, you would need twice the width.

 

Far too little actual useable space around 50% of the area.

 

I've been in the New Jersey's main turrent, There is NO room for anything in there. You need to be an acrobat just to squeeze around.

[ZombieFlanders]

Try casting such a thing.

 

this (and other reason too). casting such large objects was beyond the tech of the BB era. around this time (early 40s) the cast M4 sherman hull was the largest cast steel object in the world and a BB turret is many times larger and thicker than that. this is besides internal arrangements/volume issues.

[mr3awsome]

Basically, like the above have said, they would be too difficult to produce.

[Manteuffel]

You do not have to cast a spherical turret.  Just like a common turret, a spherical turret can be manufactured from multiple curved plates.

[_Sarcasticat_]

I'd be so hard to produce...considering many of the turrets are already cramped...And the casting would be hard...

[HesCalledTheStig]

Great idea in theory, just on way too large a scale.  Another point to mention, any bomb and/or plunging fire would be directed into a not-so-armored deck.  I'd rather have a turret knocked out versus a shell or bomb going below decks causing untold amounts of damage.

[Im_The_Seeker2]

I am wondering why there were no spherical turrets on any battleships in WWII.  Spherical turrets would in theory offer better protection against attacks from the top (bombs) while offering the same amount or greater protection from the front and sides.  I am thinking something like a turret for a T72 tank, but of course larger.  It may be a bit more cramped in the interior, but not significantly.

higher profile and more expensive, probably, not an efficient use of space

[Windhover118]

I am wondering why there were no spherical turrets on any battleships in WWII.  Spherical turrets would in theory offer better protection against attacks from the top (bombs) while offering the same amount or greater protection from the front and sides.  I am thinking something like a turret for a T72 tank, but of course larger.  It may be a bit more cramped in the interior, but not significantly.

 

Like others have said, casting such a thing would probably cause problems. I would also imagine that the shape of the turret would lead to problems with gun operation.