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
I found part of what I believe is a cartridge to the QF Type 41 naval gun. If I sent a photo, can you identify it for me?
ReplyDeleteI could try but I make no promises on being able to identify any particulars. I'm very much an amateur.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhere can I send the Photos?
ReplyDeleteHey Glancys, you can upload it to imgur and paste the link in a reply. Prob the easiest way.
DeleteJobbo, So here is the photo https://imgur.com/a/ho8P9 Please let me know if you need another angle.
ReplyDeleteHey Glancys, that's a fuze, not a projectile. I would suggest caution when handling it, just in case.
DeleteDo you have any measurements? I'm ball-parking a 2-1/2 to 3-inches diameter at its widest part. I can see 3 threads on the lower part, maybe 4?
Without any indicators such as markings or more specific data, its hard to determine. It could be for an IJA artillery piece as well as an IJN naval gun. Or it could be something entirely different.
Sorry I couldn't be of more help.