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