Soviet Explosive Ordnance - 122mm Projectiles (Part 2)

 

Soviet Explosive Ordnance



 

122mm Complete Round, Separate (Cartridge Case) Loading, CP, VG-471

 

 

This concrete-piercing round is fired from the 122mm corps guns M1931 and M1931/37 (A-19), and from the self-propelled guns M1944 (D-25S) and M1931/44 (A-19S).  The M1944 (D-25S) and M1931/44 (A-19S) are mounted in the JSU-122.
 

This round is used primarily against concrete and reinforced-concrete fortifications.  The projectiles are made of heat-treated steel and contain a bursting charge weighing from 7 to 18 percent of the total projectile weight.

 
The KTD-2 fuze is used in this round.  For purposes of illustration, the fuze nomenclature is shown on the side of the fuze; in reality, it is stamped on the base of the fuze.

 

Characteristics

Caliber: 121.9mm (4.8 in)

Weight of complete round: 39.32kg (86.5 lbs)

Weight of projectile, as fired: 25kg (55 lbs)

Weight of propellant, w/o igniter: 6.82kg (15 lbs)

Type of projectile filler: TNT

Weight of projectile filler: 2.2kg (4.84 lbs)

 

Packaging

 

 
This ammunition is packed in a one-round box, as illustrated, with a gross weight of about 56kg   (123 lbs).



 

122mm Complete Round, Separate (Cartridge Case) Loading, Smoke, VD-462

  

 

  

This smoke round is fired from the 122mm howitzers M1910 and M1909/37.  These weapons are obsolete in the Soviet Army but are still used in Finland.

  

Smoke rounds are used by the Soviets for denying observation to enemy firing points and observation posts, for laying wide smoke screens over entire sectors, for target spotting, and for other purposes. 

The common smoke compositions used in Soviet smoke rounds are phosphorus, sulfur trioxide, and chloride of tin.  Although the principal purpose of phosphorus is to produce smoke, it is an incendiary and casualty-producing agent as well.  It ignites spontaneously upon contact with the air and continues to burn even when embedded in the flesh.
 

The D-462 projectile in this round contains a 2.6kg (8 lb) phosphorus composition and a small TNT bursting charge.

  

The KT-2 and KTM-2 fuzes are used with the D-462 projectile in this round.  Information on color markings of smoke rounds is conflicting and outdated; however, it is believed smoke projectiles have a gray body and a black band below the bourrelet, as illustrated.

 

 

 

Characteristics

Caliber: 121.9mm (4.8 in)

Weight of complete round: 24.6kg (54.12 lbs)

Weight of projectile, as fired: 22.4kg (49.3 lbs)

Weight of propellant, w/o igniter: 1.17kg (2.58 lbs)

Type of projectile filler: Phosphorus and TNT

Weight of projectile filler: 3.76kg (8.26 lbs)

 

 

 

Packaging

 

 

This ammunition is packed in a two-round wooden box.  Projectiles and cartriddge cases are also packed separately, 3 projectiles or 20 cartridge cases to a wooden box.
 

Note.  The first propellant data line "4/1 CB 10/44 K" shown on the cartridge case of this round normally would appear just above the second propellant data line on the packing box.  It has been omitted in the above drawing because of insufficient space.

 

 

 

 

 

 

122mm Complete Round, Separate (Cartridge Case) Loading, Illuminating, VS-463

 

This illuminating round is fired from the 122mm howitzer M1938 (M-30), which is standard in the Soviet and Satellite Armies.  The weapon is also used in Yugoslavia, Hungary, Rumania, Finland, and Bulgaria.

 

Illuminating rounds are used at night to facilitate observation of the enemy and of the results of firing.  They were employed comparatively seldom in World War II, since illuminating devices dropped from aircraft served the same purpose more effectively.  Mixtures of powdered magnesium, aluminium, and barium nitrate are used in the illuminating composition.
 

The S-462 projectile shown above contains an illuminant assembly attached to a parachute, a small expelling charge, and an ignition charge (to ignite the illuminant and the expelling charge).

 

The T-6 fuze, with adapter, is used with the S-462 projectile in this round.

Note.  Two propellant data lines normally appear on the cartridge case shown above, one line usually pertaining to powder in the base charge, and the other line pertaining to powder in the supplemental charges.

 

 

 

Characteristics

Caliber: 121.9mm (4.8 in)

Weight of complete round: 24kg (53 lbs)

Weight of projectile, as fired: 21.3kg (46.3 lbs)

Weight of propellant, w/o igniter: 2.07kg (4.58 lbs)

Type of projectile filler: Illuminating composition and explosive

Weight of projectile filler: 0.1kg (0.22 lbs)

 

 

 

Packaging

 

 

The illustrated 2-round wooden packing box weighs 68kg (150 lbs) when packed.  The gross weight may be stenciled on the box in the form БРУТТО 68 КГ.  Projectiles and cartridge cases are also packed separately, 3 projectiles or 20 cartridge cases to a wooden box.

 

 

 

 

 

 

122mm Complete Round, Separate (Cartridge Case) Loading, Shrapnel, VSh-462

   

 

This ball shrapnel round is fired from the 122mm howitzers M1910/30 and M1909/37.  These weapons are obsolete in the Soviet Army but are still used in Finland.

 

Shrapnel normally is used for close defense, against exposed personnel.  The Sh-360 projectile in this round contains an 8.75kg (19.25 lbs) shrapnel filler, consisting of 478 lead balls, and a small bursting charge of fine-grained black powder.
 

The 45-sec and T-6 (with adapter) fuzes are used with the Sh-460 projectile.  A light metal safety cap is crimped onto the 45-sec fuze for shipping purposes, and must be removed before firing.  The T-6 fuze has a threaded brass shipping cover which must be removed before firing.
 

The VSh-462T, with a Sh-460T projectile using a 45-sec or T-6 (with adapter fuze), is a variant of the illustrated round.  It is basically the same as the VSh-462 and is fired from the same weapons.

 

 

 

Characteristics

Caliber: 121.9mm (4.8 in)

Weight of complete round: 26.1kg (57.4 lbs)

Weight of projectile, as fired: 23.3kg (51.25 lbs)

Weight of propellant, w/o igniter: 1.17kg (2.58 lbs)

Type of projectile filler: Ball shrapnel (478 lead balls) and black powder

Weight of projectile filler: 9.02kg (19.85 lbs)

 

 

 

Packaging

 

 

This ammunition is packed in a two-round wooden box. Projectiles and cartriddge cases are also packed separately, 3 projectiles or 20 cartridge cases to a wooden box.

 

Note. The first propellant data line "7/7 CB 19/40 K" shown on the cartridge case of this round normally would appear just above the second propellant data line on the packing box. It has been omitted in the above drawing because of insufficient space.

 

  

  

 

 

 

122mm Complete Round, Separate (Cartridge Case) Loading, Propaganda, VA-463

 

   

This propaganda round is fired from the 122mm howitzer M1938 (M-30), which is standard in the Soviet and in Satellite Armies.

 

This type of ammunition is used to dsitribute propaganda leaflets behind enemy lins.  Very few such rounds were used in World War II, since aircraft proved to be a more effective means of distributing leaflets. m The A-462 projectile shown above contains a 0.76kg (1.67 lb) leaflet filler and a small bursting charge.

 

The T-6 fuze, with adapter, is used with the A-462 projectile in this round.

 

 

 

Characteristics

Caliber: 121.9mm (4.8 in)

Weight of complete round: 24kg (53 lbs)

Weight of projectile, as fired: 21.55kg (47.41 lbs)

Weight of propellant, w/o igniter: 1.17kg (2.6 lbs)

Type of projectile filler: Leaflets and explosive

Weight of projectile filler: 0.86kg (1.89 lbs)

 

 

 

Packaging

 

 

The illustrated 2-round wooden packing box weighs 68kg (150 lbs) when packed. The gross weight may be stenciled on the box in the form БРУТТО 68 КГ. Projectiles and cartridge cases are also packed separately, 3 projectiles or 20 cartridge cases to a wooden box.

 

 

Next Time: 152mm Projectiles



Soviet Explosive Ordnance - 122mm Projectiles (Part 1)

 

 

 

Soviet Explosive Ordnance

 

 

 

 

 

122mm Complete Round, Separate (Cartridge Case) Loading, HE, VF-462

   

 

This high-explosive round is fired from the 122mm howitzers M1910/30 and M1909/37.  This projectile has a relatively thin-walled casing and large bursting charge.  The F-460 projectile shown above has a more powerful blast effect, but gives less fragmentation, than does the Frag-HE projectile of the VOF-462 complete round.

 

The RG-6 and RGM fuzes are used with the F-460 projectile of this round.

 

The following complete rounds are variants of the illustrated round: VF-462U, with the F-460U projectile using a UGT-2 (or, with a supplementary booster, the RG-6 or RGM) fuze; VF-462K, with the F-460K projectile using the UGT-2 (or, with a supplementary booster, the RG-6 or RGM) fuze;  VF-462N, with an F-460N projectile using the UGT-2 (or, with a supplementary booster, the RG-6 or RGM) fuze;  and VF-452A, with an F-460A projectile using the RG-6 fuze.  These variants are basically the same as the VF-462 and are fired from the same weapons.

 

    

Characteristics

Caliber: 121.9mm (4.8 inches)

Weight of complete round: 25.58kg (56.3 lbs)

Weight of projectile, as fired: 22.5kg (49.5 lbs)

Weight of propellant, w/o igniter: 1.17kg (2.58 lbs)

Type of projectile filler: TNT

Weight of projectile filler: 4.812kg (10.6 lbs)

 

 

Packaging

 

This ammunition is packed in a two-round wooden box, as illustrated.  Projectiles and cartridge cases are also packed separately, 3 projectiles or 20 cartridge cases to a wooden packing box.

 

Note.  The second propellant data line "7/7 CB 14/44 K" shown on the cartridge case of this round normally would appear just below the first propellant data line on the packing box.  It has been omitted from the above drawing because of insufficient space.

 

 

 

 

 

122mm Complete Round, Separate (Cartridge Case) Loading, Frag-HE, VOF-462

 

  

This fragmentation high-explosive round is fired from the 122mm howitzers M1910/30 and M1909/37.  These weapons are obsolete in the Soviet Army, but are still used in Finland.  The setting of the fuze determines whether the projectile will give maximum blast or maximum fragmentation effect.
 

The RG-6 and RGM fuzes are used with the OF-460 projectile of this round.  As a component of other complete rounds, however, the OF-462 projectile has also been found with the RGM-2, RGM-3, and D-1 fuzes.
 

The VOF-462A complete round, with the OF-462A projectile using the RGM or RG-6 fuze, is a variant of the illustrated round.  It is basically the same as the VOF-462 and is fired from the same weapons.

 

The following projectiles are basically the same, and are fired from the same weapons, as the OF-462: OF-462AG with the RGM-3 fuze; OF-462L, with the RG-6 or RGM fuze; and OF-462M, with the RGM fuze.  The specific differences between them and the OF-462 are not known.

 
 
  Characteristics

Caliber: 121.9mm (4.8 inches)

Weight of complete round: 23.7kg (52.1 lbs)

Weight of projectile, as fired: 21.76kg (47.9 lbs)

Weight of propellant, w/o igniter: 1.17kg (2.58 lbs)

Type of projectile filler: Amatol 80/20

Weight of projectile filler: 3.68kg (8.10 lbs)

 
 
Packaging
 

 

This ammunition is packed in a two-round wooden box, as illustrated. Projectiles and cartridge cases are also packed separately, 3 projectiles or 20 cartridge cases to a wooden packing box.
 

Note. The second propellant data line "7/7 CB 14/44 K" shown on the cartridge case of this round normally would appear just below the first propellant data line on the packing box. It has been omitted from the above drawing because of insufficient space.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

122mm Complete Round, Separate (Cartridge Case) Loading, Frag-HE, VOF-463
 

 

This fragmentation high-explosive round is fired from the 122mm howtizer M1938 (M-30), which is standard in the Soviet and Satellite Armies.
 

The D-1, RG-6, RGM, RGM-2, and RGM-3 fuzes are used with the OF-462 projectile in this round.

The following projectiles are bascially the same and are fired from the same weapons, as the OF-462A: OF-462, using the RGM or GVMZ fuze; OF-462AG, using the GVMZ fuze; and OF-462G with the GVMZ fuze.  The specific differences between them and the OF-462 are not known.

 

Characteristics

Caliber: 121.9mm (4.8 inches)

Weight of complete round: 25.6kg (56.33 lbs)

Weight of projectile, as fired: 21.76kg (47.9 lbs)

Weight of propellant, w/o igniter: 2.08kg (4.58 lbs)

Type of projectile filler: Amatol 80/20

Weight of projectile filler: 3.68kg (8.10 lbs)

 
 
Packaging
 

 

This ammunition is packed in a two-round wooden box. Projectiles and cartridge cases are also packed separately, 3 projectiles or 20 cartridge cases to a wooden packing box.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

122mm Complete Round, Separate (Cartridge Case) Loading, Frag-HE, VOF-471N
   

  

This fragmentation high-explosive round is fired from the 122mm corps guns M1931 and M1931/37 (A-19); from the tank gun M1943 (D-25); and from self-propelled guns M1944 (D-25S) and M1931/44 (A-19S).  The tank gun M1943 (D-25) is mounted on the JS-1*, JS-2, and JS-3 heavy tanks.  The self-propelled guns M1944 (D-25S) and M1931/44 (A-19S) are mounted in the JSU-122.

 

The RGM, RGM-2, and D-1 fuzes are used with the OF-471N projecitle in this round.  There are two types of OF-471N projectile, which apparently are not distinguished from one another by any code marking.  One (shown in the above drawing) is a one-piece projectile; the other is a "two-piece" projectile having a threaded adapter.  The latter type, according to documentary evidence, is about 0.5 inch longer than the former and has a bursting charge which is about 1.2 lbs heavier, although the total weight of each projectile is the same.
 

The complete round VOF-471, using the OF-471 projectile with the RGM or D-1 fuze, is a variant of the illustrated round.  The OF-471 projectile has a bursting charge weighing 3.605kg (7.93 lbs), and its unfuzed length is somewhat greater than that of either type of OF-471N projectile.  The round, however, is basically the same as the VOF-471N and is fired from the same weapons.

*: Not actually used on the JS-1

 
 

Characteristics

Caliber: 121.9mm (4.8 inches)

Weight of complete round: 40.78kg (89.73 lbs)

Weight of projectile, as fired: 25.53kg (56.17 lbs)

Weight of propellant, w/o igniter: 6.58kg (14.53 lbs)

Type of projectile filler: Cast TNT

Weight of projectile filler: 4.85kg (10.7 lbs)

 
 
Packaging
  

 

This ammunition is packed in a one-round box, with a gross weight of about 56kg (123 lbs).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

122mm Complete Round, Separate (Cartridge Case) Loading, AP-T, VBR-471B

 

 

This armor-piercing tracer round is fired from the 122mm corps guns M1931 and M1931/37 (A-19); from the tank gun M1943 (D-25); and from self-propelled guns M1944 (D-25S) and M1931/44 (A-19S). The tank gun M1943 (D-25) is mounted on the JS-1*, JS-2, and JS-3 heavy tanks. The self-propelled guns M1944 (D-25S) and M1931/44 (A-19S) are mounted in the JSU-122. 

 

This type of ammunition is used against tanks and other armored targets.  The BR-471B projectile shown above has a small cavity filled with high-explosive, and uses the MD-8, DR-1, and DR-5 fuzes.
 

The VBR-471 complete round, using the BR-471 projectile with the MD-8 fuze, is a variant of the illustrated round.  The BR-471 projectile has a pointed nose and no windshield, whereas the BR-471B has a blunt nose with a windshield.

*: Not actually used on the JS-1

 
 
Characteristics

Caliber: 121.9mm (4.8 inches)

Weight of complete round: 39.32kg (86.5 lbs)

Weight of projectile, as fired: 25kg (55.12 lbs)

Weight of propellant, w/o igniter: 6.3kg (13.89 lbs)

Type of projectile filler: RDX and aluminum (74/22)

Weight of projectile filler: 0.156kg (0.34 lbs)

 
 
Packaging

 

This ammunition is packed in a one-round box.  The gross weight of the box is about 56kg (123 lbs).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

122mm Complete Round, Separate (Cartridge Case) Loading, HEAT, VBP-463A
 

 

This HEAT round is fired from the 122mm howitzer M1938 (M-30), which is standard in the Soviet and the Satellite Armies.  HEAT ammunition is used chiefly against tanks and other armoured targets.

 
The V-229 fuze is used with the BP-460A projectile in this round.

 
 
Characteristics

Caliber: 121.9mm (4.8 inches)

Weight of complete round: 26kg (57 lbs) (approx.)

Weight of projectile, as fired: 13.2kg (29.14 lbs)

Weight of propellant, w/o igniter: 0.45kg (1 lb)

Type of projectile filler: RDX/TNT (50/50)

Weight of projectile filler: 1.45kg (3.19 lbs)

 
 
Packaging
   

 

This ammunition is packed in a two-round wooden box, with a gross weight of 66kg (145 lbs).  The gross weight may be stenciled on the packing box in the form БРУТТО 66 КГ.  Projectiles and cartridge cases are also packed separately, 3 projectiles or 20 cartridge cases to a wooden box.

 

Note. The first propellant data line "9/7 CB 11/44 ТСФ B/B" shown on the cartridge case of this round normally would appear just above the second propellant data line on the packing box. It has been omitted from the above drawing because of insufficient space.

Next Time: 122mm Projectiles (Part 2)