Tuesday, 21 November 2017

American Projectiles and Explosives - 16-inch Projectiles







American Projectiles and Explosives



16-inch Projectiles





16-inch A.P. Mk 3 Mods 2-5 (Obsolete)


Guns used in: 16"/45
Overall length: 56.5 inches
Diameter of base: 15.94 inches
Distance base to band: 3.03 inches
Width of band: 5.3 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 15.977 inches

Filling: Explosive D
Weight of filling: 57.5 pounds
Weight of loaded projectile: 2,110 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: 2.74%

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

Fuzes:
-Base: Mk 21 Mods 0 and 1


This projectile was originally issued without windshield, but has since been modified.

The 16-inch A.P. Projectile Mk 3 Mod 2 has been declared unserviceable until caps and windshields have been modified.

Mods 2 and 3 may be blind loaded and plugged or tracered with the Tracer Mk 5 Mod 1 for target practice.






16-inch A.P. Mk 5 Mods 1-6


Guns used in: 16"/45
Overall length w/ windshield: 64 inches
Overall length w/o windshield: 48.387 inches
Diameter of base: 15.977 inches
Distance base to band: 4.03 inches
Width of band: 5.32 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 15.977 inches

Filling: Explosive D
Weight of filling: 34 pounds
Weight of loaded projectile: 2,240 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 16-inch A.P. Projectile Mk 5 Mod 6 is a modified Mk 12 (designed for Army use) with a special base-plug adapter.








16-inch A.P. Mk 8 Mods 1-8


Guns used in: 16"/45; 16"/50
Overall length w/ windshield: 72 inches
Overall length w/o windshield: 51.6 inches
Diameter of base: 15.977 inches
Distance base to band: 4.03 inches
Width of band: 5.32 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 15.977 inches

Filling: Explosive D
Weight of filling: 40.9 pounds
Weight of loaded projectile: 2,700 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 8 has a heavier cap, blunter nose, and more hardness, from greater heat treatment than the earlier Mods.






16-inch H.C. Mk 13 Mods 0-6 and Mk 14


Guns used in: 16"/45; 16"/50
Overall length w/ nose fuze: 64 inches
Overall length w/o nose fuze: 60.18 inches
Diameter of base: 15.977 inches
Distance base to band: 4.03 inches
Width of band: 5.32 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 15.977 inches

Filling: Explosive D
Weight of filling: 153.6 pounds
Weight of loaded projectile: 1,900 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: 8.08%

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

Booster Mk 5, or a special 0.58-pounds pressed TNT booster, will be used under the auxiliary detonating fuze.


This projectile is normally issued with an A.P. nose plug.

The 16-inch H.C. Projectile Mk 13 Mod 1 was originally issued as the 16" Ex-1.

The Base Fuze Mk 39 replaces the original special "green stripe" Base Fuze Mk 28; the Auxiliary Detonating Fuze Mk 35 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 14 is simply a different designation to indicate a different manufacturer.







16-inch Target Mk 6 Mod 1 and Mk 7 Mod 0

No picture available

Guns used in: 16"/45 (Mks 6 and 8)
Overall length: 64 inches
Diameter of base: 15.977 inches
Distance base to band: 2.5 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 15.977 inches

Filling: N/A
Weight of filling: N/A
Weight of loaded projectile: 2,240 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: N/A

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

Fuzes: N/A


Mk 6 has no spotting dye; Mk 7 does.  These target projectiles are designed to use the same ballistic as the 16-inch A.P. Projectile Mk 5.







16-inch Target Mk 9 Mods 1 and 2, and Mk 10 Mod 0


Guns used in: 16"/45 (Mk 6 Mod 1); 16"/50 (Mk 7 Mod 0)
Overall length: 72 inches
Diameter of base: 15.977 inches
Distance base to band: 2.5 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 15.977 inches

Filling: N/A
Weight of filling: N/A
Weight of loaded projectile: 2,700 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: N/A

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

Fuzes: N/A


Mods 1 and 2 of the 16-inch Target Projectile Mk 9 are physically the same.  Different Mods distinguish products of different contractors.  The Mk 9's have no spotting dye.

Mk 10 is exactly like the Mk 9, except that it contains a spotting load.

These target shells match the 16-inch A.P. Projectile Mk 8 in ballistic traits.




Next Time: 20mm Projectiles

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