American Projectiles and Explosives - 4-inch Projectiles

American Projectiles and Explosives

4-inch Projectiles





4-inch Common Mk 16 Mods 1 and 2

Guns used in: 4"/50
Overall length w/ cap & windshield: 17.5 inches
Overall length w/o cap & windshield: 11.42 inches
Diameter of base: 3.96 inches
Distance base to band: 2.25 inches
Width of band: 1.85 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 3.985 inches

Filling: Explosive D
Weight of filling: 1.16 pounds
Weight of loaded projectile: 33 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: 3.03%

Cartridge case: Mk 2 Mod 1 and Mk 2 Mod 4
Primer: Mk 13 and Mods
Tracer: Mk 4
Fuzes: Mk 36 Mods 0 and 1, or Mk 20 Mods 1 and 2

The Base Fuze Mk 36 is the preferred assembly and is replacing the Mk 20.  This projectile is specially strengthened for extra armor-piercing qualities.




4-inch Common Mk 6 Mod 6 (Obsolete)

Guns used in: 4"/50
Overall length: 15.8 inches
Diameter of base: 3.96 inches
Distance base to band: 2.9 inches
Width of band: 1.02 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 3.985 inches

Filling: Black Powder and TNT
Weight of filling: 1.39 pounds
Weight of loaded projectile: 33 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: 4.21%

Cartridge case: Mk 2 or Mk 2 Mod 3
Primer: Mk 13 and Mods
Tracer: Integral
Fuzes: Mk 10 Mod 4

This round may be issued B.L. & P. or B.L. & T. with the Tracer Mk 6 Mod 1 and adapter for target practice.




4-inch Common Mk 10 Mods 1, 2, and 3 (Obsolete)

Guns used in: 4"/50
Overall length: 15.8 inches
Diameter of base: 3.96 inches
Distance base to band: 2.75 inches
Width of band: 1.33 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 3.985 inches

Filling: Black Powder and TNT
Weight of filling: 1.39 pounds
Weight of loaded projectile: 33 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: 4.21%

Cartridge case: Mk 2 or Mk 2 Mod 3
Primer: Mk 13 and Mods
Tracer: Integral in fuze

Fuzes: Mk 10 Mod 4

This round may be issued B.L. & P. or B.L. & T. with the Tracer Mk 6 Mod 1 and adapter for target practice.





4-inch H.C. Mk 15 Mod 1 and Ex-2 and Ex-2-1

Guns used in: 4"/50
Overall length w/ nose fuze: 18 inches
Overall length w/o nose fuze: 14.28 inches
Diameter of base: 3.96 inches
Distance base to band: 2.25 inches
Width of band: 1.85 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 3.985 inches

Filling: Explosive D
Weight of filling: 2.71 pounds
Weight of loaded projectile: 33 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: 8.21%

Cartridge case: Mk 2 Mods 1 and 4
Primer: Mk 13 and all Mods
Tracer: Mk 4 or Mk 9

Fuzes:
Base: Mk 31 or Mk 28 (B.D.F.)
Nose: Mk 30 and Mods 1, 2, 3 (P.D.F.)
-Mk 22 Mods 1-5 (M.T.F)
-Mk 51 and all Mods (M.T.F.)
-Steel nose plug

Auxiliary Detonating Fuze: Mk 17, or Mk46, or Mk 54 Mod 0

The Base Fuze Mk 31 is preferred for this projectile.  The Tracer Mk 4 is used with the Base Fuze Mk 31; the Mk 9, with the Fuze Mk 28.

The 4"/50 Ex-2 and Ex-2-1 are identical to Projectile Mk 15 except they are one pound heavier.  Approximately 18,000 of the Ex projectiles were manufactured and issued.

The Auxiliary Detonating Fuze Mk 54 is replacing the Mk 17 and the Mk 46 fuzes in all assemblies.

Assembly of the Nose Fuze Mk 22 (M.T.F.) with this projectile has stopped.







4-inch Illuminating Mk 14 Mods 1-6

Guns used in: 4"/50
Overall length w/ nose fuze: 18.4 inches
Overall length w/o nose fuze: 14.92 inches
Diameter of base: 3.933 inches
Distance base to band: 2.25 inches
Width of band: 1.85 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 3.985 inches

Filling: Black powder expelling charge; Magnesium flare
Weight of filling: Expelling charge - 1.25 ounces black powder
Weight of loaded projectile: 34.66 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: N/A

Cartridge case: Mk 21 Mods 1 and 4
Primer: Mk 13 and all Mods
Tracer: None

Fuzes:
-Mk 18 Mods 2, 3, and 4
-Mk 50 all Mods
-Mk 63 Mod 0

The Fuze Mk 18 may be used in all Mods of this projectile; the Fuzes Mk 50 and Mk 63 are used only in the Mod 6 projectile.

Illuminating Contents Mk 3 are used in projectiles Mods 1-5; the Illuminating Contents Mk 4 Mod 4 are used in the Mod 6 projectile.

Next Time: 5-inch Projectiles (Part 1)