Monday, 14 December 2015

Imperial Japanese Navy Ammunition - 140mm Projectiles

 
 
 
 
Imperial Japanese Navy Ammunition
 
 
 
14cm (140mm)(5.5inch) Propellant and Tanks
  
 
Powder tanks: For storage purposes, the propellant charges are sealed in waterproof containers commonly known as "powder tanks."  Two types of the tanks have been recovered: one is a heavy tank (26.4 pounds) of cast steel and bronze; the other is sheet steel and aluminum and weighs 15.4 pounds.  Both are well lacquered inside and have the same internal dimensions, 6.2 inches by 33.4 inches.
 
Propellant: 37 C: 24.51 pounds
Unperforated cylindrical sticks approximately 3.7mm by 28 inches graphited, double-base powder.  The propellant sticks are enclosed in a bag of heavy brownish silk.  An ignition pad containing 17.2g of granular black powder is laced onto the base of the charge.
 
Primer: Mk 2 lock percussion primer
 
Weapons used in: Type 3rd Year 14cm/50 gun (low angle)
 
This is a pedestal-mounted deck gun employing bag ammunition.  It is commonly found in shore emplacements for coastal defense and limited anti-aircraft use.  Strongly resembling the Type 3rd Year 12cm/45 gun in design, this weapon also has three recoil cylinders all mounted above the tube and an interrupted thread breech block hinged on the right.  This gun has been found both with a splinter shield attached, and without.
 
 
 
 
14cm (140mm)(5.5inch) High-Explosive Projectile
 
 
  
Weight of filled projectile (without fuze): 82.7 pounds
Weight of empty projectile: 74.43 pounds
Weight stamped on rotating band: No data (varies with individual projectiles)
 
Length of projectile (without fuze, with adapter): 21.02 inches
Length of projectile (without fuze or adapter): 19.75 inches
 
Diameter at bourrelet: 5.49 inches
Distance from base to rotating band: 0.6 inches
Width of rotating band: 1.6 inches
Radius of ogive: 5 cal
 
Filling: Cast Picric Acid (Shimose): 7.9 lbs
The charge consists of a single block of explosive cast and sealed in a waxed container, encased in a heavy cotton-flannel bag and sealed in the projectile with paraffin.
 
Fuzing: Type 5th Year point detonating fuze
 
Removal of the adapter does not permit alternate fuzing, because the lower threaded portion of the adapter is larger than any known fuze.
 
Weapons used in: Type 3rd Year 14cm/50 gun (low angle)
 
 
  
(Type 0 Ordinary) 14cm (140mm)(5.5inch) High-Explosive Projectile
   
   
Weight of filled projectile (without fuze): 88.22 pounds
Weight of empty projectile: 81.62 pounds
Weight stamped on rotating band (sample): 34.1 kg (varies with individual projectiles)
  
Length of projectile (without fuze): 21.55 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 5.49 inches
Distance from base to rotating band: 0.59 inch
  
Width of rotating band:
-Forward: 1.11 inches
-Space: 0.38 inch
-Aft: 1.09 inches
  
Radius of ogive: No Data
  
Filling: Cast picric acid (shimose): 6.6 pounds
 
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 3rd Year 14cm/50 gun (low angle)
 
Remarks: This projectile permits the 14cm/50 gun to be used for anti-aircraft fire, but the angle of elevation of the weapon definitely limits its effectiveness.
  
 
 
(Ordinary Mk 1) 14cm (140mm)(5.5inch) Common Projectile
 
   
Weight of filled projectile (with fuze): 83.82 pounds
Weight of empty projectile: 77.88 pounds
Weight stamped on rotating band (sample): 34.3 kg (varies with individual projectiles)
 
Length of projectile: 21.7 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 5.49 inches
Distance from base to rotating band: 0.59 inch
 
Width of rotating band:
-Forward: 1.11 inches
-Space: 0.38 inch
-Aft: 1.09 inches
 
Radius of ogive: No Data
 
Filling: Cast picric acid (shimose): 5.94 pounds
 
The charge consists of two blocks of explosive cast and sealed in a waxed paper containers encased in a heavy cotton-flannel bag and sealed in the projectile with paraffin.
 
Fuzing: Type 13th Year Mk I Mod 1 base fuze
 
Weapons used in: Type 3rd Year 14cm/50 gun
 
 
 
(Ordinary Mod 1) 14cm (140mm)(5.5inch) Common Capped
  
   
Weight of filled projectile (with fuze): 84.94 pounds
Weight of empty projectile: 80.14 pounds
Weight stamped on rotating band (sample): 35.8 kg (varies with individual projectiles)
 
Length of projectile: 21.63 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 5.94 inches
Distance from base to rotating band: 0.593 inch
 
Width of rotating band:
-Forward: 1.11 inches
-Space: 0.38 inch
-Aft: 1.09 inches
 
Radius of ogive: Not determined
 
Filling: Cast picric acid (shimose): 4.8 pounds
 
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 13th Year Mk I Mod 1 base detonating fuze
 
Weapons used in: Type 3rd Year 14cm/50 gun
 
 
 
14cm (140mm)(5.5inch) Illuminating Projectile
    
   
Weight of filled projectile (without fuze): 87.5 pounds
Weight of empty projectile: 67.46 pounds (approx)
Weight stamped on rotating band (sample): No Data (varies on individual projectiles)
 
Length of projectile (without fuze): 20.3 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 5.49 inches
Distance from base to rotating band: 0.59 inch
 
Width of rotating band:
-Forward: 1.11 inches
-Space: 0.38 inch
-Aft: 1.09 inches
 
Radius of ogive: No Data
 
Filling:
-Primary ejection charge (black powder): 100 grams
-Secondary ejection charge (black powder): 41 grams
-Initiating pellet, relay train, and delay are black powder
 
The ignition compound for the illuminant is a mixture of potassium nitrate, iron oxide, aluminum, sulphur, and wax.
 
The illuminant is a mixture of barium nitrate, magnesium, and wax.
 
-Weight: 31 pounds
 
Fuzing: Type 91 mechanical time fuze
 
Weapons used in: Type 3rd Year 14cm/50 gun
 
Operation:
At the end of the time set, the mechanical time fuze fires the initiating pellet.  The relay train transmits the flash to the base of the primary ejection charge container and ignites the charge.  The primary ejection charge expels the canister containing the illuminating charge and its parachute, and also ignites the delay element. 
 
A short time after the canister is ejected from the projectile body, the delay element fires the secondary ejection charge which expels the illuminating charge and parachutes and ignites the illuminant.  Two parachutes, a large one above a small one, suspend the illuminating unit.
 
Burning time: Not determined
 
 
 
 
14cm (140mm)(5.5inch) Smoke Projectile
  
 
Weight of filled projectile (without fuze): 68.80 pounds
Weight of empty projectile: No Data
Weight stamped on rotating band (sample): No data (varies with individual projectiles)
 
Length of projectile (without fuze): 20.63 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 5.49 inches
Distance from base to rotating band: 0.65 inch
 
Width of rotating band: 1.56 inches
 
Filling: Presumably white phosphorus
 
Fuzing: Probably Type 98 mechanical time fuze
 
Weapons used in: Type 3rd Year 14cm/50 gun
 
 
 
 
14cm (140mm)(5.5inch) Cartridge Case (Semi-fixed)
 
   
Case:
-Length: 21.67 inches
-Diameter of base: 7 inches
-Material: Brass
-Weight (empty): 17 pounds
Propellant: 30 DC (Type 13 propellant): 6.8 kg
Unperforated cylindrical sticks approximately 3mm by 501mm of graphited double-base powder.
The propellant sticks are enclosed in a bag of heavy brownish silk.
 
Primer: No Data
 
Weapons used in: No Data
 
 
 
Next Time: 15cm and 15.5cm Projectiles

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