Monday 13 November 2017

American Projectiles and Explosives - 12-inch and 14-inch Projectiles







American Projectiles and Explosives



12-inch and 14-inch Projectiles





12-inch A.P. Mk 15 Mod 6


Guns used in: 12"/50
Overall length w/ cap & windshield: 42 inches
Diameter of base: 11.94 inches
Distance base to band: 1 inch
Width of band: 4 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 11.977 inches

Filling: Explosive D
Weight of filling: 25 pounds
Weight of loaded projectile: 870 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: 2.87%

Cartridge case: N/A
Primer: Mk 15 Mod 1
Tracer: Mk 5

Fuzes:
-Base: Mk 21 Mods 0 and 1


This is an old type projectile, without windshield, which is not in common use.







12-inch A.P. Mk 18 Mod 1


Guns used in: 12"/50
Overall length w/ cap & windshield: 54 inches
Overall length w/o cap & windshield: 38.39 inches
Diameter of base: 11.977 inches
Distance base to band: 3.1 inches
Width of band: 4 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 11.977 inches

Filling: Explosive D
Weight of filling: 17.4 pounds
Weight of loaded projectile: 1,140 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: 1.52%

Cartridge case: N/A
Primer: Mk 15 Mod 1
Tracer: Mk 5

Fuzes:
-Base: -Mk 21 Mods 0 and 1


The windshield is threaded to the A.P. cap and held in place by five equally spaced notches which are staked.  The A.P. cap weighs 110.98 pounds and is soldered to the nose.  In addition to the solder, the cap is also secured by seven crimp caps equally spaced on the periphery of the nose.








12-inch H.C. Mk 16 Mods 1, and 2, and Mk 21


Guns used in: 12"/50
Overall length w/ nose fuze: 43.76 inches
Overall length w/o nose fuze: 40.285 inches
Diameter of base: 11.977 inches
Distance base to band: 1 inch
Width of band: 4 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 11.977 inches

Filling: Explosive D
Weight of filling: 58.2 pounds
Weight of loaded projectile: 740 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: 7.86%

Cartridge case: N/A
Primer: Mk 15 Mod 1
Tracer: Mk 5 Mod 1

Fuzes:
-Base: Mk 28 "Green Stripe"
-Mk 39 Mods 0 and 1
-Mk 48 Mods 0 and 1

-Nose: Mk 29 Mods 1, 2, and 3 (P.D.F.)
-Mk 42 Mod 0 (M.T.F.)
-Mk 62 Mod 0 (M.T.F.)


Auxiliary Detonating Fuze
-Mk 17 Mod 8 "Green Stripe"
-Mk 35 Mod 0
-Mk 55 Mod 0


The Booster Mk 5, or a special 0.53-pound pressed TNT booster, is also used under the auxiliary detonating fuze.

The 12-inch H.C. Projectile Mk 21 is merely a redesignation of the Mk 16.

The Base Fuze Mk 39 replaces the original "Green Stripe" Base Fuze Mk 28; the Auxiliary Detonating Fuze M35 replaces the original special "Green Stripe" Mk 17 Mod 8.  These fuzes are now being replaced by the Base Fuze Mk 48 and the Auxiliary Detonating Fuze Mk 55.

The Nose Fuze Mk 62 is the preferred nose time fuze.






12-inch H.C. Mk 17 Mods 1, 2, and Mk 22

No picture available

Guns used in: 12"/50
Overall length w/ nose fuze: 54 inches
Overall length w/o nose fuze: 50.18 inches
Diameter of base: 11.977 inches
Distance base to band: 3.1 inches
Width of band: 4 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 11.977 inches

Filling: Explosive D
Weight of filling: 79.44 pounds
Weight of loaded projectile: 940 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: 8.45%

Cartridge case: N/A
Primer: Mk 15 Mod 1
Tracer: Mk 5 Mod 1

Fuzes:
-Base: Mk 28 "Green Stripe"
-Mk 39 Mods 0 and 1
-Mk 48 Mods 0 and 1

-Nose: Mk 29 Mods 1, 2, and 3 (P.D.F.)
-Mk 42 Mod 0 (M.T.F.)
-Mk 62 Mod 0 (M.T.F.)
 -Steel Nose Plug

Auxiliary Detonating Fuze
-Mk 17 Mod 8 "Green Stripe"
-Mk 35 Mod 0
-Mk 55 Mod 0


The Booster Mk 5, or a special 0.53-pound pressed TNT booster, is also used under the auxiliary detonating fuze.

The 12-inch H.C. Projectile Mk 22 is merely a redesignation of the Mk 16.

The Base Fuze Mk 39 replaces the original "Green Stripe" Base Fuze Mk 28; the Auxiliary Detonating Fuze M35 replaces the original special "Green Stripe" Mk 17 Mod 8.  These fuzes are now being replaced by the Base Fuze Mk 48 and the Auxiliary Detonating Fuze Mk 55.

The Nose Fuze Mk 62 is the preferred nose time fuze.

The 12-inch H.C. Projectile Mk 17 Mod 2 differs fromt he Mk 17 Mod 1 in that its base plug threads are 7.85" instead of 7.75".







12-inch Target Mk 19 Mod 1


Guns used in: 12"/50 Mk 8
Overall length: 54 inches
Diameter of base: 11.977 inches
Distance base to band: 2 inches
Width of band: 4 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 11.977 inches

Filling: N/A
Weight of filling: N/A
Weight of loaded projectile: 1,140 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: N/A

Cartridge case: N/A
Primer: Mk 15 Mod 1
Tracer (if loaded): Mk 5


There is no provision for a spotting dye load in the windshield of this projectile.








14-inch A.P. Mk 8 Mods 3, 7, 8, and 11 (Obsolete)


Guns used in: 14"/45; 14"/50
Overall length: 49.44 inches
Overall length w/o cap & windshield: 41.92 inches
Diameter of base: 13.94 inches
Distance base to band: 1 inch
Width of band: 4.66 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 13.977 inches

Filling: Explosive D
Weight of filling: 34.3 pounds
Weight of loaded projectile: 1,402 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: 2.1%

Cartridge case: N/A
Primer: Mk 15 Mod 1
Tracer: Mk 5

Fuzes:
-Base: Mk 21 Mods 0 and 1


A special adapter with 1.5-inch diameter outside threads is required to fit Base Fuzes Mk 21 in these projectiles.

The Mod 7 projectile may also be issued B.L. & P. or B.L. & T. with adapter and Tracer Mk 5 Mod 1 for target practice.









14-inch A.P. Mk 16 Mods 1-11


Guns used in: 14"/45; 14"/50
Overall length w/ cap & windshield: 56 inches
Overall length w/o cap & windshield: 36.72 inches
Diameter of base: 13.977 inches
Distance base to band: 3.46 inches
Width of band: 4.66 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 13.977 inches

Filling: Explosive D
Weight of filling: 22.9 pounds
Weight of loaded projectile: 1,500 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: 1.5%

Cartridge case: N/A
Primer: Mk 15 Mod 1
Tracer: Mk 5

Fuzes:
-Base: Mk 21 Mods 0 and 1


The Mod 11 has a slight change in the cap design which moves the windshield threads further forward on the projectile.









14-inch A.P. Mk 20 Mod 1


Guns used in: 14"/45
Overall length: 54.38 inches
Diameter of base: 13.977 inches
Distance base to band: 3.46 inches
Width of band: 4.66 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 13.977 inches

Filling: Explosive D
Weight of filling: 22.9 pounds
Weight of loaded projectile: 1,500 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: 1.5%

Cartridge case: N/A
Primer: Mk 15 Mod 1
Tracer: Mk 5

Fuzes:
-Base: Mk 21 Mods 0 and 1


This projectile is used only on the battleships New York and Texas.  It is the same as the Mk 16 Mod 8, except for a shortened windshield.









14-inch H.C. Mk 19 Mods 1-6 and Mk 22


Guns used in: 14"/45; 14"/50
Overall length w/ nose fuze: 56 inches
Overall length w/o nose fuze: 52.18 inches
Diameter of base: 13.977 inches
Distance base to band: 3.46 inches
Width of band: 4.66 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 13.977 inches

Filling: Explosive D
Weight of filling: 104.21 pounds
Weight of loaded projectile: 1,275 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: 8.01%

Cartridge case: N/A
Primer: Mk 15 Mod 1
Tracer: Mk 5

Fuzes:
-Base: Mk 28 "Green Stripe"
-Mk 39 Mods 0 and 1
-Mk 48 Mods 0 and 1

-Nose: Mk 29 Mods 1, 2, and 3 (P.D.F.)
-Mk 42 Mod 0 (M.T.F.)
-Mk 62 Mod 0 (M.T.F.)
 -Steel Nose Plug

Auxiliary Detonating Fuze
-Mk 17 Mod 8 "Green Stripe"
-Mk 35 Mod 0
-Mk 55 Mod 0


The Booster Mk 5, or a special 0.53-pound pressed TNT booster, is also used under the auxiliary detonating fuze.

The Base Fuze Mk 39 replaces the original "Green Stripe" Base Fuze Mk 28; the Auxiliary Detonating Fuze M35 replaces the original special "Green Stripe" Mk 17 Mod 8.  These fuzes are now being replaced by the Base Fuze Mk 48 and the Auxiliary Detonating Fuze Mk 55.

The Mk 62 is the preferred nose time fuze.

The Projectile Mk 19 Mod 1 only is suitable for use in 14"/45 guns on the battleships New York and Texas.

The 14-inch H.C. Projectile Mk 22 is similar in its dimensions to the Mk 19, except that the rotating band on the Mk 22 is only 2.25 inches from the base.









14-inch Bombardment Mk 9


Guns used in: 14"/45; 14"/50
Overall length: 56 inches
Diameter of base: 13.94 inches
Distance base to band: 1 inch
Width of band: 4.66 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 13.977 inches

Filling: Explosive D
Weight of filling: 105 pounds
Weight of loaded projectile: 1,410 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: 7.44%

Cartridge case: Bag gun
Primer: Mk 14 Mod 1
Tracer: Mk 5, Mk 5 Mod 1

Fuzes:
-Base: Mk 28 and all Mods


The Base Fuze Mk 29 replaces the previously used Base Fuze Mk 3 Mod 2 with integral tracer.








14-inch Target Mk 17 Mods 1-3 and Mk 18 Mod 1


Guns used in: 14"/45; 14"/50
Overall length: 56 inches
Diameter of base: 13.977 inches
Distance base to band: 2.25 inches
Width of band: 4.66 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 13.977 inches

Filling: N/A
Weight of filling: N/A
Weight of loaded projectile: 1,500 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: N/A

Cartridge case: N/A
Primer: Mk 15 Mod 1
Tracer: Mk 5


There is no spotting dye load in the Mk 17 windshield.

The 14-inch Target Projectile Mk 18 Mod 1 has essentially the same dimensions, plus a spotting dye load.







14-inch Target Mk 21 Mod 1

No picture available

Guns used in: 14"/45
Overall length w/ nose fuze: 54.38 inches
Diameter of base: 13.977 inches
Distance base to band: 2.25 inches
Width of band: 4.66 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 13.977 inches

Filling: N/A
Weight of filling: N/A
Weight of loaded projectile: 1,500 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: N/A

Cartridge case: N/A
Primer: Mk 15 Mod 1
Tracer: Mk 5


This target projectile was made to match the 14-inch A.P. Projectile Mk 20 for the U.S.S. Arkansas and Texas guns.




Next Time: 16-inch Projectiles

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