Italian Explosive Ordnance - 210mm to 420mm Projectiles

Italian Explosive Ordnance

  

210mm HE

Guns used in: 210/8mm Field Gun and 210/22mm Howitzer
Fuzing: Nose Percussion Fuze M17

Overall length (w/ fuze): 730.3 mm
Overall length (w/o fuze): 712 mm
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: 25 mm
Width of band: 25 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 209.3 mm
Type of filling: TNT or MAT or MBT
Weight of filling: 14.125 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 100.5 kilograms
Booster used: No.4 M38








210mm HE (Cast Steel)

Guns used in: 210/8mm Field Gun
Fuzing: Nose Percussion Fuze M17

Overall length: 735 mm
Diameter at base: 200 mm
Distance base to band: 14.5 mm
Width of band: 25 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 209.3 mm
Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 11 kg to 14.7 kg
Weight of loaded projectile: 100 kg to 103.6 kg

  

210mm HE (Bomba)

Guns used in: 210/8mm Field Gun
Fuzing: Nose Percussion Fuze (Guerritore I.M35 or I.M38)
Overall length (w/o fuze): 776 mm
Diameter at base: 208 mm
Distance base to band: 107.5 mm
Width of band: 25 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 209.5 mm
Type of filling: MST
Weight of filling: 21 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 60.5 kilograms

Remarks: The projectile has a very unusual round base








210/22mm HE M35

Guns used in: 210/22mm Field Gun
Fuzing: Nose Percussion Fuze (Guerritore V.M38)

Overall length (w/ fuze): 851.2 mm
Overall length (w/o fuze): 820.2 mm
Diameter at base: 185 mm
Distance base to band: 102.5 mm
Width of band: 30 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 209.4 mm
Type of filling: Amatol
Weight of filling: 18.59 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 101.133 kilograms









260/9mm HE

Guns used in: 260/9mm Field Gun
Fuzing: Nose Percussion Fuze M17

Overall length (w/ nose plug): 953 mm
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: 73 mm
Width of band: 34 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: Unknown
Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 25.94 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 219.1 kilograms
Booster used: No.4 M38








260/9mm HE (Cast Steel)

Guns used in: 260/9mm Field Gun
Fuzing: Nose Percussion Fuze M17

Overall length: 953 mm
Diameter at base: 256 mm
Distance base to band: 73 mm
Width of band: 34 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: Unknown
Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 19.89 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 222.7 kilograms
Booster Used: No.4 M38

305mm HE (Short)

Guns used in: 305/8mm Field Howitzer
Fuzing: Base Fuze M09

Overall length: 946 mm
Diameter at base: 203 mm
Distance base to band: 24 mm
Width of band: 57.5 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 304.4 mm
Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 32 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 287 kilograms

Remarks: The projectile is similar to 305mm HE (Long)








305mm HE (Long)

Guns used in: 305/8mm Field Howitzer
Fuzing: Base Fuze M09

Overall length: 1130 mm
Diameter at base: 303 mm
Distance base to band: 24 mm
Width of band: 57.5 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 304.4 mm
Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 34.33 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 380 kilograms

  

305mm HE (Long and Short Light Case)

Guns used in: 305/17mm Howitzer
Fuzing: Base Fuze M14 for 305/17

Overall length (short): 1148 mm
Overall length (long): 1183 mm
Diameter at base: 302.2 mm
Distance base to band: 56 mm
Width of band: 50.8 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 303.5 mm
Type of filling: TNT

Weight of filling:
-Short: 33.6 kilograms
-Long: 38.32 kilograms

Weight of loaded projectile:
-Short: 348 kilograms
-Long: 350 kilograms









305mm HE (British Short and Long)

Guns used in: 305/17mm Howitzer

Fuzing:
-Short: British Nose Fuze No.101E
-Long: British Nose Fuze 450A or Italian M17

Overall length w/o fuze (short): 975.5 mm
Overall length w/o fuze (long): 1075.5 mm
Diameter at base: 301.3 mm
Distance base to band: 51 mm
Width of band: 76 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: Unknown
Type of filling: Probably TNT

Weight of filling:
-Short: 31.4 kilograms
-Long: 45 kilograms

Weight of loaded projectile:
-Short: 340.69 kilograms
-Long: 340.5 kilograms









305/17mm HE

Guns used in: 305/17mm Howitzer
Fuzing: Nose - Unknown

Overall length (w/ plug): 1151 mm
Diameter at base: 302.2 mm
Distance base to band: 55 mm
Width of band: 51.5 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 303.8 mm
Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 43.1 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 348 kilograms
Booster used: No.4 M38








305/17mm HE (Heavy)

Guns used in: 305/17mm Howitzer
Fuzing: Base Fuze M14 for 305/17

Overall length: 1175 mm
Diameter at base: 302.2 mm
Distance base to band: 55 mm
Width of band: 51.5 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 303.8 mm
Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 19.145 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 441 kilograms

305/17mm HE (Cast Steel)

Guns used in: 305/17mm Howitzer
Fuzing: Nose - Unknown

Overall length (w/o fuze): 1023.6 mm
Diameter at base: 302.4 mm
Distance base to band: 55 mm
Width of band: 51.5 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 303.8 mm
Type of filling: MST
Weight of filling: 33.49 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 328.5 kilograms
Booster used: No.4 M38

305/17mm HE (One Piece)

Guns used in: 305/17mm Howitzer
Fuzing: Nose Percussion Fuze M17

Overall length (w/o fuze): 1130 mm
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: 177 mm
Width of band: 51.8 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 303.52 mm
Type of filling: MST
Weight of filling: 46.125 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 259 kilograms
Booster used: No.4 M38

Remarks: The projectile is of one-piece construction










380/15mm HE (Base Fuzed)

Guns used in: 380/15mm Heavy Howitzer
Fuzing: Base Fuze M16

Overall length: 1402 mm
Diameter at base: 378 mm
Distance base to 1st band: 25 mm
Distance base to 2nd band: 65 mm (approx.)
Width of 1st band: 33.6 mm
Width of 2nd band: 32.5 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 379 mm
Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 71.49 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 750 kilograms
Booster used: No.4 M38








420mm HE (Short and Long)

Guns used in: 420/12mm Heavy Howitzer
Fuzing: Base - Unknown

Overall length (short): 1375 mm
Overall length (long): 1554 mm
Diameter at base: 485.9 mm
Distance base to 1st band: 25 mm
Distance base to 2nd band: 70 mm
Width of 1st band: 25 mm
Width of 2nd band: 40.5 mm
Type of filling: TNT


Diameter at bourrelet:
-Short: 418.8 mm
-Long: 418.7 mm

Weight of filling:
-Short: 75 kilograms
-Long: 90 kilograms

Weight of loaded projectile:
-Short: 800 kilograms
-Long: 1000 kilograms

240mm and 400mm (Bomba)

Guns used in: 240mm Mortar and 400mm Mortar

Fuzing:
-240mm: French type M35 I.T. or Nose Fuze M17 or I.M38
-400mm: French type M15 I.T.


Overall length (w/ fuze):
-240mm: 965 mm
-400mm: 1700 mm

 Length of body: 672 mm
Body diameter: 240mm
Type of filling: TNT or Amatol
Weight of filling: Unknown

Total weight:
-240mm: 65.5 kilograms
-400mm: 265 kilograms

Booster used: No.4 M38

Remarks: These mortar bombs are very similar to aircraft bombs.

Next Time: Italian Cartridge Cases

Imperial Japanese Army Ammunition: 15cm (150mm) and 30cm (305mm) Projectiles

Japanese Explosive Ordnance: Army and Navy Ammunition

15cm Ammunition

There are three 150mm Howitzers and for 150mm Gun in use by the Japanese Army. These weapons vary greatly in design from a very short range howitzer to long range field guns. The projectiles for 150mm ammunition are not as interchangeable as in the 75mm or 105mm sizes. Usually there is one type of projectile designed for use in the howitzers and another type designed for use in the guns.

Even when the same projectile is used in both howitzers and guns, it will differ in that it will have a single rotating band when it is used in a howitzer, but when used in a gun it will have a double rotating band. All the weapons with the exception of the Type 89 gun, which uses a bag charge, use semifixed ammunition. The cases and projectiles will be treated separately, as was done with 75mm and 105mm ammunition.

Type 92 15cm (150mm) High Explosive Projectile

Weight of projectile complete: 36kg
Weight of filling: No Data
Filling: Angoyaku (RDX and ammonium nitrate)
Diameter at bourrelet: 149mm
Length overall (w/o fuze): 563.6mm
Length protruding from case (w/o fuze): 506.4mm
Width of rotating band: 20mm

Fuzing:
-Type 88 instantaneous nose fuze
-Type 88 short delay nose fuze

Used in:
-Type 4 year howitzer, case A 10 and 3/16 inches - case B 8 and 7/8 inches
-Type 96 howitzer, case 12 and 5/8 inches
-Type 38 howitzer case 4 and 1/4 inches




Type 93 15cm (150mm) High Explosive Projectile

*I believe the this projectile is named incorrectly in its drawing

Weight of projectile, filled (w/o fuze): 40.29kg
Weight of filling: No Data
Filling: Cast TNT
Diameter at copper bourrelet: 149.3mm
Length overall (w/o fuze): 593.7mm
Length protruding from case (w/o fuze): 544mm
Width of rotating band:
-Forward: 25.4mm
-Aft: 19.1mm
Width of copper bourrelet: 31.75mm

Fuzing:
-Type 90 instantaneous short delay fuze

Used in:
-Type 89
-Type 45 gun, case 48 and 1/32 inches
-Type 7 year gun, case 48 and 1/32 inches
-Type 90 gun, case 48 and 1/32 inches




Type 92 15cm (150mm) High Explosive Long Pointed Projectile

Weight of projectile, filled (w/o fuze): 30.9kg
Weight of filling: 5.0kg
Filling: Cast TNT
Diameter at bourrelet: 148mm
Length overall (w/o fuze): 581mm
Length protruding from case: 492.1mm
Width of rotating band: 14.28mm
Width at copper bourrelet: 19.1mm

Fuzing:
-Type 88 instantaneous nose fuze
-Type 88 short delay nose fuze

Used in:
-Type 4 year howitzer, case A 10 and 3/16 inches - case B 8 and 7/8 inches
-Type 96 howitzer, case 12 and 5/8 inches
-Type 38 howitzer case 4 and 1/4 inches




Type 93 15cm (150mm) High Explosive Long Pointed Projectile

Weight of projectile, filled (w/o fuze): 40.23kg
Weight of filling: No Data
Filling: Cast TNT
Diameter of copper bourrelet: 149.2mm
Length overall (w/o fuze): 620.2mm
Length protruding from case (w/o fuze): 516mm
Width of rotating band:
-Forward: 25.4mm
-Aft: 19.1mm
Width of copper bourrelet: 31.8mm

Fuzing:
-Type 90 instantaneous short delay fuze

Used in:
-Type 89
-Type 45 gun, case 48 and 1/32 inches
-Type 7 year gun, case 48 and 1/32 inches
-Type 90 gun, case 48 and 1/32 inches




Type 95 15cm (150mm) Armor Piercing High Explosive Projectile

Weight of projectile, filled and fuzed: 36.1kg
Weight of filling: 2.3kg
Filling: Two preformed blocks of high grade TNT
Diameter at bourrelet: 150mm
Length of projectile (w/o fuze): 449.3
Length protruding from case: 406.4mm
Width of rotating band: 20.6mm

Fuzing:
-Type 95 medium howitzer mortar base fuze

Used in:
-Type 4 year howitzer, case A 10 and 3/16 inches - case B 8 and 7/8 inches
-Type 96 howitzer, case 12 and 5/8 inches
-Type 38 howitzer case 4 and 1/4 inches
-Type 45 gun, case 48 and 1/32 inches
-Type 7 year gun, case 48 and 1/32 inches
-Type 90 gun, case 48 and 1/32 inches
-Type 89 gun, Bag Charge

Remarks:
When this projectile is used in a howitzer, it has a single rotating band, but when it is used in guns it has a double rotating band.





15cm (150mm) Armor Piercing High Explosive Projectile

Weight of projectile, filled: 44.54kg
Weight of filling: 5.2kg
Filling: Picric acid in two preformed, paper-wrapped blocks.
Diameter at copper bourrelet: 149.2mm
Length overall: 584.2mm
Length protruding from case (w/o fuze): 544.5mm
Width of rotating band:
-Forward: 25.4mm
-Aft: 19.1mm

Fuzing:
-Type 88 small base fuze

Used in:
-Type 4 year howitzer, case A 10 and 3/16 inches - case B 8 and 7/8 inches
-Type 96 howitzer, case 12 and 5/8 inches
-Type 38 howitzer case 4 and 1/4 inches
-Type 45 gun, case 48 and 1/32 inches
-Type 7 year gun, case 48 and 1/32 inches
-Type 90 gun, case 48 and 1/32 inches
-Type 89 gun

Remarks:
When this projectile is used in a howitzer, it has a single rotating band, but when it is used in guns it has a double rotating band.




Type 13 Year Smoke (W.P.) Projectile

Weight of projectile, filled (w/o fuze): 33.63kg
Bursting Charge: Cast Picric Acid - 1kg
Chemical Agent: 3.62kg
-W.P. is contained in a brass cylinder fitted below the bursting charge. To prevent movement within the projectile, the container is surrounded by wax.
Diameter at bourrelet: 149.2mm
Length overall (w/o fuze): 487.4mm
Length protruding from case (w/o fuze): 471.5mm
Width of rotating band: 15mm

Fuzing:
-Type 88 instantaneous nose fuze (Howitzer, Mortar)

Used in:
-Type 4th Year howitzer, case A 10 and 3/16 inches - case B 8 and 7/8 inches
-Type 96 howitzer, case 12 and 5/8 inches
-Type 38 howitzer, case 4 and 1/4 inches



30cm (305mm) Armor Piercing High Explosive Projectile

Weight of projectile: No Data
Weight of filling: No data
Filling: No Data
Diameter at bourrelet: 305mm
Length overall: 1,071mm
Length protruding from case: 1,027
Width of rotating band: 53mm

Fuzing:
-Type 95 Large Mk 2 Model 2 base fuze

Used in:
-Type 7 year 30cm Howitzer



30cm (305mm) Armor Piercing High Explosive Projectile

Weight of projectile (approx.): 680 lbs
Weight of filling: No Data
Filling: No Data
Diameter at bourrelet: 305mm
Length overall: 1,240mm
Length protruding from case: 1,198mm
Width of rotating band: 53mm

Fuzing:
-Type 95 large Mk 2 Model 2 base fuze

Used in:
-Type 7 year 30cm howitzer



Next Time: IJA Rockets and the beginning of the IJA Mortar Projectiles