Monday 16 November 2015

Imperial Japanese Navy Ammunition - 100mm and 120mm Projectiles (Part 2)

 
 
 
 
 
Imperial Japanese Navy Ammunition
 
 
 
 
 
 
12cm (120mm)(4.7in) Target Projectile
 
  
Weight of filled projectile (without fuze): 43.27 lbs
Weight of empty projectile: No Data
Weight stamped on rotating band (sample): 19.02kg (varies with individual projectiles)
 
Length of projectile (without fuze): 15.56 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 1.56 inches
Width of rotating band: 2 inches
Radius of ogive: 4 cal
 
Filling: No Data
 
Fuzing: 30-second time fuze
 
Weapons used in:
-Type 11-year 12cm/45
-Type 3-year 12cm/45
 
 
 
 
 
 
12cm (120mm)(4.7in) Complete Round (Fixed)
    
 
 
Case:
-Length: 27.63 inches
-Diameter of base: 6.25 inches
-Material: Brass
-Weight (empty): 18.59 lbs
 
This case is crimped tightly into a groove in the base of the projectile by a single continuous crimp.
Propellant: 30 DC (Type 13 propellant): 12 lbs
 
Unperforated cylindrical sticks, approximately 3mm by 19.8 inches, graphited double-base powder.
 
In the H.E. rounds recovered, the propellant sticks are enclosed in a bag of heavy brownish silk.
 
In the incendiary shrapnel round the sticks of propellant were tied together and placed in the case without being enclosed in the customary coarse silk bag.  The latter arrangement may be a new trend not necessarily limited to the round in which it was first found.
 
Primer: Mk 2 case percussion primer, Model 4
 
Weapons used in: Type 10th year 12cm/45 dual-purpose gun
 
This weapon is a pedestal-mounted gun designed for anti-aircraft use aboard ship which has been found ashore either with or without a distinctive gun-house type of shield.  The gun is manually controlled.  The breech-block is the horizontal type sliding to the right.  This has been one of the most common and most effective Japanese land-based AA guns.
  
  
   
  
  
12cm (120mm)(4.7in) High-Explosive (Ordinary Mod 1)
   
 
Assembled round:
-Weight of complete round: 74.03 lbs
-Length of complete round (with Type 91 fuze): 41.75 inches (approximately)
 
Projectile:
-Weight of filled projectile (without fuze): 43.34 lbs
Weight of empty projectile: 39.38 lbs
-Weight stamped on rotating band (sample): 17.9kg (varies with individual projectiles)
 
Dimensions:
-Length of projectile (without fuze): 13.95 inches
-Diameter at bourrelet: 4.6 inches
-Distance from base to rotating band: 1.56 inches
-Width of rotating band: 1.9 inches
-Radius of ogive: 4 cal
 
Filling:
-Trinitroanisole (Type 91 explosive): 3.96 lbs
 
The explosive is cast directly in the projectile body.
 
Fuzing:
-Type 91 mechanical time fuze
-Type 88 point detonating fuze
 
Weapons used in: Type 10-year 12cm/45 dual-purpose gun
 
Remarks:
The base of the projectile is slightly recessed to receive a steel plate which is locked in by a steel ring.  This arrangement is presumed to be a seal to prevent the propellant gases entering possible flaws in the solid base of the projectile.  A similar feature is common in U.S. Army projectiles.
 
 
 
 
12cm (120mm)(4.7in) High-Explosive (Ordinary Mod 2)
 
 
Assembled round:
-Weight of complete round: 72.53 lbs
-Length of complete round (with Type 91 fuze): 41.75 inches (approximately)
 
Projectile:
-Weight of filled projectile (without fuze): 41.84 lbs
-Weight of empty projectile: 38.41 lbs
-Weight stamped on rotating band (sample): 17.46kg (varies with individual projectiles)
 
Dimensions:
-Length of projectile (without fuze): 13.95 inches
-Diameter at bourrelet: 4.6 inches
-Distance from base to rotating band: 1.56 inches
-Width of rotating band: 1.9 inches
-Radius of ogive: 4 cal
 
Filling: Cast picric acid (Shimose): 3.43 lbs
 
The charge consists of a single block of explosive cast and sealed in a waxed-paper container encased in a heavy cotton-flannel bag and sealed in the projectile with paraffin.
 
Fuzing:
-Type 91 mechanical time fuze
-Type 88 point detonating fuze
 
Weapons used in: Type 10th year 12cm/45 dual-purpose gun
 
 
 
 
12cm (120mm)(4.7in) Incendiary Shrapnel
 
 
Assembled round:
-Weight of complete round: 75.66 lbs
-Length of complete round (with Type 91 fuze): 41.15 inches (approximately)
 
Projectile:
-Weight of filled projectile (without fuze): 44.97 lbs
-Weight of empty projectile: 33.13 lbs
-Weight stamped on rotating band (sample): 15.06kg (varies with individual projectiles)
 
Dimensions:
-Length of projectile (without fuze): 13.95 inches
-Diameter at bourrelet: 4.6 inches
-Distance from base to rotating band: 1.56 inches
-Width of rotating band: 1.9 inches
-Radius of ogive: 4 cal
 
Filling:
-Cast picric acid (Shimose): 1.19 lbs
-Incendiary charge (W.P. and 48 steel pellets): 8.55 lbs
 
The explosive charge consists of a block of explosive cast and sealed in a waxed-paper container, encased in a heavy cotton-flannel bag and sealed in the nose of the projectile with paraffin.
 
Fuzing:
-Type 91 mechanical time fuze
-Type 88 point detonating fuze
 
Weapons used in: Type 10th year 12cm/45 dual-purpose gun
 
 
 
Next Time: 127mm Projectiles

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