German Projectiles - 47mm to 50mm Projectiles

German Projectiles

H.E. Projectile Type 36 (Czech Design), 47mm

German Designation: 4.7cm Sprgr. Patr. 36 (t) (Sprenggranate Patronen 36 (t) )

Employment: 4.7cm Pak. (t) (Panzerabwehrkanone (t) )
         4.7cm K 36 (t)   (Kanone 36 (t) )

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 22.44 inches

Overall length w/o fuze (projectile): 7.36 inches

Diameter at bourrelet: 1.84 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.67 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 1.625 inches

Total weight (complete round): 6.25 pounds
Total weight (projectile): 3.3 pounds

Weight of bursting charge: 6.348 ounces

Type of Bursting Charge: TNT

No tracer

Overall length (cartridge case): 15.944 inches

Diameter at case neck: 1.98 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 2.12 inches

Depth of extracting groove: 2.52 inches

Weight of propellant: 1 pound, 15.35 ounces

Type of propellant: Strip Nitroglycerine and Nitrocellulose

Fuze: Czech time or S/D

H.E. Projectile for Bohler Gun (Austrian Design), 47mm

German Designation: 4.7cm Sprgr. Patr. (O) (Sprenggranate Patronen (O) )

Employment: 4.7cm Bohler K. (O)

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 16.312 inches

Overall length (projectile): 8.625 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.375 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 1.594 inches

No tracer

Overall length (cartridge case): 9.25 inches

Diameter at case neck: 1.875 inches

Depth of extracting groove: 2.187 inches

Weight of propellant: 193 grams

Type of propellant: Strip propellant (Nitroglycerine and Nitrocellulose)

Fuze: 4.7cm M 35

Markings: 4.7cm Pak. O or 4.7cm J.K. 35/36 O

Remarks: Fuze is marked 4.7 Pak 35 or 4.7 M 35.

Fuze is similar to AZ23 except that it has no optional delay.  There is an AP round which is the 47/32 Italian round in an M35 case.

A.P. Projectile for AT Gun (Austrian Design), 47mm

German Designation: 4.7cm Pzgr. Patr. 35 (Panzergranate Patronen 35 (O) )

Employment: 4.7cm Pak. (t) (Panzerabwehrkanone (t) )
         4.7cm K 36 (t)   (Kanone 36 (t) )


Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 19.48 inches
Overall length (projectile): 5.312 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 1.844 inches
Width of copper rotating band: 0.687 inches
Diameter of projectile base: 1.719 inches
Distance from base to band: 1.25 inches
Total weight (complete round): 6.7 pounds
Total weight (projectile): 3.14 ounces
Weight of bursting charge: 0.74 ounces

Type of Bursting Charge: TNT
Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 15.944 inches
Diameter at case neck: 1.98 inches
Diameter at case shoulder: 2.12 inches
Depth of extracting groove: 2.52 inches
Weight of propellant: 15.43 ounces
Type of propellant: Strip propellant (Nitroglycerine and Nitrocellulose)

Fuze: None

Markings: Black tip, unpainted projectile.  Blued from rotating band to beginning of 3/8" boat-tailing.
"ENZ" stencilled in red.


Remarks: Same projectile is used in the Bohler gun except that the driving bad is narrower and has two grooves instead of three.  A red band is painted around the shoulder.

A.P.C. Projectile Type 36 (Czech Design), 47mm

German Designation: 4.7cm Pzgr. Patr. 36 (t) (Panzergranate Patronen 36 (t) )

Employment: 4.7cm Flak. 37 (Flugabwehrkanone 37)
                            4.7cm Pak. (t)   (Panzerabwehrkanone (t) )

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 21.069 inches

Overall length w/o tracer (projectile): 6.625 inches

Diameter at bourrelet: 1.844 inches

Width of copper rotating band: 0.625 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 1.625 inches
Distance from base to band: 1.5 inches

Total weight (projectile): 3.64 pounds

Weight of bursting charge: 0.74 ounces

Type of Bursting Charge: TNT

Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 15.944 inches

Diameter at case neck: 1.98 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 2.12 inches

Depth of extracting groove: 2.52 inches

Weight of propellant: 15.49 ounces

Type of propellant: Strip Nitroglycerine and Nitrocellulose

Fuze: Base fuze (2 steel balls)
Set screw in projectile holds fuze in place.

Markings: Painted black, capped.
 "pla", lot number "1" stencilled in red.
Projectile curved in towards base.

A.P. Projectile with Tungsten Carbide Core (Arrowhead Design), 47mm

German Designation: 4.7cm Pzgr. Patr. 40 (Panzergranate Patronen 40)

Employment: 4.7cm Pak. (t) (Panzerabwehrkanone (t) )
        4.7cm K 36 (t)  (Kanone 36 (t) )

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 18.94 inches

Overall length w/ tracer (projectile): 5.375 inches

Distance of body midway: 1.187 inches
Width of rotating band: 0.51 inches
Total weight (complete round): 2.5 kilograms
Total weight (projectile): 1.81 pounds

Length of Tungsten carbide core: 3 inches
Diameter of Tungsten carbide core: 0.812 inches

Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 15.944 inches

Diameter at case neck: 1.98 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 2.12 inches

Diameter of extracting groove: 2.52 inches

Type of propellant: Tubular

Markings: Painted black

A.P. Projectile with Tungsten Carbide Core (Arrowhead), 50mm

German Designation: 5cm Pzgr. Patr. 40 KwK (Panzergranate Patronen 40 Kampfwagenkanone)

Employment: 5cm KwK Kampfwagenkanone
5cm KwK 39 Kampfwagenkanone 39
5cm Pak 38 Panzerabwehrkanone 38

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 14.48 inches

Overall length w/ tracer (projectile): 5.75 inches
Diameter of bourrelet: 1.95 inches
Diameter of rotating band: 2.269 inches
Width of rotating band: 0.5 inches

Distance of body midway: 1.258 inches
Total weight (complete round): 5 pounds, 3 ounces
Total weight (projectile): 1.95 pounds

Length of Tungsten carbide core: 2.937 inches
Diameter of Tungsten carbide core: 0.81 inches
Weight of Tungsten carbide core: 0.72 pounds

Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 11.342 inches

Diameter at case neck: 2.035 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 2.668 inches
Diameter at case base: 3.085 inches
Weight of cartridge case: 1.87 pounds

Type of propellant: Tubular Diglycol
Weight of propellant: 1.2 pounds

Fuze: None


Markings: Painted black

A.P. Projectile without Cap for Tank Gun, 50mm

German Designation: 5cm Pzgr. Patr. KwK (Panzergranate Patronen Kampwagenkanone)

Employment: 5cm KwK. (Kampfwagenkanone)

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 16.357 inches

Overall length (projectile): 7.5 inches

Diameter at bourrelet: 1.963 inches
Distance from base to band: 1.156 inches
Diameter at projectile base: 1.938 inches

Width of soft iron rotating band: 0.406 inches

Total weight (complete round): 7 pounds, 10 ounces
Total weight (projectile): 4 pounds, 8.25 ounces
Type of bursting charge: PETN/Wax
Total weight of bursting charge: 0.58 ounces

Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 11.342 inches

Diameter at case neck: 2.035 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 2.668 inches

Diameter at case base: 3.085 inches
Weight of cartridge case: 1 pound, 12.76 ounces

Type of propellant: Diglycol

Fuze: Base Detonating fuze Rd.Z. 5103

Markings: Painted black.
"164DL 608 1940 C FES" stamped in base.

H.E. Projectile, Type 38, 50mm

German Designation: 5cm Sprgr. Patr. 38 KwK (Sprenggranate Patronen 38 Kampfwagenkanone)

Employment: 5cm KwK Kampfwagenkanone
5cm KwK 39 Kampfwagenkanone 39
5cm Pak 38 Panzerabwehrkanone 38

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 18.61 inches

Overall length w/ fuze (projectile): 8.82 inches
Width of soft iron rotating band: 0.376 inches

Distance from base to band: 1.55 inches
Diameter at projectile base: 1.873 inches
Total weight (complete round): 6.85 pounds
Total weight (projectile): 4.16 pounds

Type of filling: TNT with red phosphorus smoke box
Weight of filling: 5.87 ounces
Type of booster charge: PETN/Wax

No tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 11.342 inches

Diameter at case neck: 2.035 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 2.668 inches
Diameter at case base: 3.085 inches
Weight of cartridge case: 1.87 pounds

Type of propellant: Flaked gudol
Weight of propellant: 0.332 pounds

Fuze: Nose percussion fuze AZ 39


Markings: Painted green, red band around fuze.
"L.R. 25.10.40.9" stencilled in black in two places on body.

A.P. Projectile with Cap for Tank Gun, 50mm

German Designation: 5cm Pzgr. Patr. KwK (Panzergranate Patronen Kampfwagenkanone)

Employment: 5cm KwK Kampfwagenkanone
5cm KwK 39 Kampfwagenkanone 39
5cm Pak 38 Panzerabwehrkanone 38

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 16.683 inches

Overall length (projectile): 6.51 inches

Diameter at bourrelet: 1.969 inches
Distance from base to band: 1.156 inches

Width of soft iron rotating band: 0.406 inches
Diameter of rotating band: 1.312 inches

Total weight (complete round): 7.7 pounds
Total weight (projectile): 4.56 pounds

Type of bursting charge: PETN/Wax (87/13)
Weight of bursting charge: 0.87 ounces

Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 11.34 inches

Diameter at case neck: 2.035 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 2.668 inches
Diameter at case base: 3.085 inches
Weight of cartridge case: 1.87 pounds

Type of propellant: Tubular Diglycol
Weight of propellant: 1.1 pounds

Fuze: Base detonating fuze Bd.Z. 5103

Markings: Painted black, unpainted band at nose.

Packaging: Twelve rounds to a metal carrier - 20kg

Next Time: 75mm Projectiles

Italian Explosive Ordnance - 37mm to 47mm Projectiles

Italian Explosive Ordnance

  

37/40mm H.E.

Guns used in: 37/40mm Gun
Fuzing: Nose fuze for 37/40 Shell

Overall length of round: 72mm
Diameter at base: 36.4mm (approx.)
Distance base to band: 18mm
Width of band: 22mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 36.5mm

Type of filling: Ballistite
Weight of filling: 41.5 grams
Weight of loaded projectile: 677 grams
Total length of projectile: 328mm
Weight of propellant: 112 grams
Weight of complete round: 2 lb, 13.5 oz

Remarks: The projectile is closed by a heavy steel pointed nose fitted internally with the fuze.






37/40mm HE/AP

Guns used in: 37/40mm Gun
Fuzing: None

Overall length of round: 138mm
Diameter at base: 30mm
Distance base to band: 18mm
Width of band: 20mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 36.4mm

Type of filling: Ballistite
Weight of filling: 23 grams
Weight of loaded projectile: 698 grams
Total length of projectile: 322mm
Weight of propellant: 112 grams
Weight of complete round: 2 lb, 14.5 oz

Remarks: The base of the projectile is closed by a screwed plug, and there is no fuze.  It is possible that the filling is intended to ignite by heating effects resulting from shock of impact.

  

37/45mm AP

Guns used in: 37/45mm Anti-Tank Gun
Fuzing: None

Overall length of round: Unknown
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: Unknown
Width of band: Unknown
Diameter at bourrelet: Unknown

Weight of loaded projectile: 0.7 kg
Total length of projectile: 337mm (Manual states "kg")
Weight of complete round: 1.43 kg
Length of cartridge case: 202mm
Weight of propellant: 0.188 kg

Remarks: The projectile contains no explosive, but has a tracer.





37/54mm AA

Guns used in: 37/54mm Anti-Aircraft Gun
Fuzing: Nose fuze for 37/54 Shell

Overall length of round: Unknown
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: Unknown
Width of band: Unknown
Diameter at bourrelet: Unknown

Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 0.024 kg
Weight of loaded projectile: 0.8 kg

Remarks: This projectile is a fixed round, packed in a tray for use in the gun.  Weight of complete round is 1.59kg, and overall length is 14.5 inches.  The propellant charge weighs 0.2kg composed of powder grains 0.65mm x 7mm x 185mm.  The projectile is grey-green, with a red band below the nose fuze.  A tracer is fitted into the base of the projectile.






40/39mm AA

Guns used in: 40/39mm Anti-Aircraft Gun
Fuzing: Nose fuze for 40/39 Shell

Overall length of round: Unknown
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: Unknown
Width of band: Unknown
Diameter at bourrelet: Unknown

Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 0.055 kg

Remarks: This projectile is a fixed round, packed in a tray for use in the gun.  The complete round is 1.45kg, and is 291 mm long.  The propellant charge weighs 0.104kg, composed of powder 2.3mm x 0.8mm x 98mm.  The projectile is grey-green, with a red band below the nose fuze.  A tracer is fitted into the base of the projectile.

47/32mm HE M35

Guns used in: 47/32mm Anti-Tank Gun
Fuzing: Percussion nose fuze M39

Overall length (w/ fuze): 10.1 inches
Overall length (w/o fuze): 9.2 inches
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: Unknown
Width of band: Unknown
Diameter at bourrelet: Unknown

Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 0.15 kg
Weight of loaded projectile: 2.37 kg

Remarks: This projectile is a fixed round.  The complete round weighs 2.37kg.  The propellant charge weighs 0.052kg, composed of Italian type F.C. 4 Powder.

The shell is machined from a rolled bar steel and has a parallel-walled cavity the same diameter as the fuze hole.  The exterior of the shell is thinly coated with zinc before coloring.  There is no base plate.  The upper rotating band is more than one third of the length from the base.

47/32mm AP M35 (With Cap)

Guns used in: 47/32mm Anti-Tank Gun
Fuzing: Base fuze MO9

Overall length with tracer: 206mm
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: 50mm
Width of band: 8mm
Diameter at bourrelet: Unknown

Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 0.03 kg
Weight of loaded projectile: 1.5 kg
Total length of round: 355.6mm (Manual forgets to state measurement)
Weight of complete round: 2.9kg

Remarks: A tracer element is fixed to the base of the projectile.

47/32mm AP M35 (Without Cap)

Guns used in: 47/32mm Anti-Tank Gun
Fuzing: Base fuze MO9

Overall length with tracer: 155mm
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: 50mm
Width of band: 8mm
Diameter at bourrelet: Unknown

Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 0.03 kg
Weight of loaded projectile: 1.5 kg
Total length of round: 299.7mm (Manual forgets to state measurement)
Weight of complete round: 2.9kg

Remarks: A tracer element is fixed to the base of the projectile.

47/32mm AP M39

Guns used in: 47/32mm Anti-Tank Gun
Fuzing: Percussion nose fuze M39

Overall length: Unknown
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: Unknown
Width of band: Unknown
Diameter at bourrelet: Unknown

Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 0.03 kg
Weight of loaded projectile: 1.42 kg

Remarks: The complete round weighs 2.035kg and contains 0.179kg propellant powder F.C. 3. A tracer element is fitted into the projectile.

Another version of the M39 has no explosive filling or fuze but contains a tracer element.  The round is very similar to the 47/32mm A.P. M35.

47/32mm E.P. (Hollow Charge)

Guns used in: 47/32mm Anti-Tank Gun
Fuzing: Base Fuze E.P. M41

Overall length: 251.5mm
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: Unknown
Width of band: Unknown
Diameter at bourrelet: Unknown

Type of filling: Tritolite (50% TNT and 50% Cyclonite)
Weight of filling: Unknown
Weight of loaded projectile: 1.23 kg

Remarks: This projectile is used in a fixed round.  The propellant charge used is smaller than the other 47/32mm shells, since a larger portion of the projectile is located in the case.

47/32mm E.P.S. (Hollow Charge)

Guns used in: 47/32mm Anti-Tank Gun
Fuzing: Nose Fuze  I.E.P.M.

Overall length: 251.5mm
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: Unknown
Width of band: Unknown
Diameter at bourrelet: Unknown

Type of filling: Unknown
Weight of filling: Unknown
Weight of loaded projectile: Unknown
Length of cartridge case: 192mm

Next Time: Italian 57mm to 70mm Projectiles

Imperial Japanese Navy Ammunition - 30mm Projectiles

 

 

 

Imperial Japanese Navy Ammunition

 

 

 

 

30mm Ammunition

 

 

 

 

Two 30mm aircraft cannon, the Type 2 and the Type 5, were in use by the Japanese.  These guns are of Oerlikon design and use similar ammunition.  The Type 5 gun uses a longer case and a slightly heavier projectile than the Type 2.

 

 

Case:  The case for the Type 2 gun is of typical Oerlikon design.  It is a comparatively short brass reduced-rim case slightly necked.

 

The case for the Type 5 gun is longer, has a more pronounced neck, and is of the rimless type.

 

 

Length of Case 

Type 2: 3.58 inches

Type 5: 4.81 inches

 

 

Projectiles:  Like the 20mm ammunition, the type of projectile is indicated by painting the projectile body a solid color.  However, some of the Type 5 projectiles were unpainted except for a narrow band behind the nose fuze.

 

The following dimensions are common to all projectiles:

Type 2 ----- Type 5

Diameter at bourrelet: 1.18 in ----- 1.18                                         

Width of rotating band: 0.24 in ----- 0.31 in                                       

 

 

  

30mm Type 5 High-Explosive Projectile

 

 

Fuzing: Rotor type fuze

 

Lenght of projectile (without fuze): 3.53 inches

Lenght of complete round: 8.31 inches

 

Filling: Pentolite

 

Color and Markings:  Maroon overall

 

Remarks: The pentolite is in a precast block surrounded by cardboard.

 

 

 

30mm Type 2 and Type 5 High-Explosive Incendiary Projectiles

 

 

Fuzing: Rotor type fuze

 

Length of projectile (without fuze):

-Type 2: 2.83 inches

-Type 5: 3.53 inches

 

Length of assembled round (fuzed):

-Type 2: 6.57 inches

-Type 5: 8.31 inches

 

Filling: Pentolite and White Phosphorus

 

Weight of filling (Type 2):

-Pentolite: 3.56 grams

-White Phosphorus: 19.94 grams

 

Color and Markings: Greenish-Yellow overall.

The Type 5 projectile is sometimes unpainted except for a greenish-yellow band at the nose.

 

Remarks:  The one-piece projectile contains only one cavity.  The H.E. is surrounded by a cardboard below which is contained the W.P. in a metal canister.

 

 

 
 

Type 5 30mm High-Explosive Tracer Projectile

 

 

Fuzing: Rotor type fuze

 

Length of projkectile (without fuze): 3.53 inches

Length of complete round: 8.31 inches

 

Filling: Pentolite

 

Color and Markings:  Red overall, or a red band at the nose.

 

Remarks:  The body of the projectile contains two cavities separated by a steel septum.  The upper cavity contains the H.E. filling, while the lower contains the tracer.

 

 

 
 

Type 5 30mm Tracer Projectile

 

 

Fuzing: Nose Plug

 

Length of projectile (without fuze): 3.53 inches

Length of complete round: 8.31 inches

 

Filling: None

 

Color and Markings: Red overall, or a red band at the nose

 

 

 

 
 

Type 2 and Type 5 30mm Practice Projectile

 

 

Fuzing: Dummy fuze

 

Length of projectile (without fuze):

-Type 2: 2.83 inches

-Type 5: 3.53 inches

 

Length of assembled round (fuzed):

-Type 2: 6.57 inches

-Type 5: 8.28 inches

 

Filling: Blind loaded

 

Color and Markings:

-Type 2: Black overall with a red dummy fuze

-Type 5: Not painted

 

Remarks:  The projectile body and case are the same in appearance as the H.E.I. round.  This is used as the first round in the magazine, to clear the gun bore.

 

 

40mm Armor-Piercing Projectile

Weight of complete round (without fuze): 1.17kg
Weight of projectile, filled (without fuze): 0.78kg
Weight of filling: 0.023kg
Filling: Cast TNT

Diameter at bourrelet: 1.57 inches
Length of projectile (without fuze): 5.24 inches
Length of assembled round: 10.33 inches
Length of propellant case: 6.18 inches
Propellant: Cylindrical lengths of smokeless powder, 95.9g
Width of rotating band: 0.63 inch
Diameter of base of propellant case: 1.89 inches

 Fuzing: Small A/P base fuze

Color and Markings: White with a green tip

Remarks: This round indicates use of the 40mm Vickers-Armstrong as a dual-purpose gun.

 


40mm High-Explosive Anti-Aircraft Projectile

Weight of complete round (without fuze): 1.18kg
Weight of projectile, filled (without fuze): 0.79kg
Weight of filling: 0.07kg
Filling: Cast TNT

Diameter at bourrelet: 1.57 inches
Length of projectile (without fuze): 5.01 inches
Length of assembled round: 10.4 inches
Length of propellant case: 6.18 inches
Propellant: Cylindrical lengths of smokeless powder, 95.9g
Width of rotating band: 0.63 inch
Diameter of base of propellant case: 1.89 inches

Fuzing: A.A. powder time fuze

Color and Markings: Maroon with 12mm green band around ogive

Remarks: This round was evidently designed only for anti-aircraft work, having no impact or tracer element.  It is used in the Navy's Vickers-Armstrong guns, which are belt-fed with automatic fuze cutters attached.




40mm Tracer Projectile

Weight of complete round (with nose cap): 1.28kg
Weight of projectile, filled (with tracer and nose cap): 0.9kg
Weight of filling: 0.07kg
Filling: None

Diameter at bourrelet: 1.57 inches
Length of projectile (with nose cap): 6.61 inches
Length of assembled round (with nose cap): 11.3 inches
Length of propellant case: 6.18 inches
Propellant: Cylindrical lengths of smokeless powder, 95.9g
Width of rotating band: 0.63 inch
Diameter of base of propellant case: 1.89 inches

Fuzing: None

Color and Markings: Orange overall

Remarks: This round is similar in shape to the A.A. type.  The nose, of solid construction with two large wrench flats, screws into the projectile body just before the bourrelet with right-hand threads.  The inside is lacquered.  The tracer element is screwed into the base with left-hand threads.  It is used in the Vickers-Armstrong guns.





5cm (47mm) Complete Round and Common Projectile

 
Assembled round:
-Weight of complete round: 3.2 lbs
-Length of complete round: 9.25 inches

Projectile:
-Weight of filled projectile (with fuze): 2.4 lbs
-Weight of projectile (empty): 2.1 lbs

Dimensions:
-Length of projectile (without fuze): 5.31 inches
-Diameter at bourrelet: 1.84 inches
-Distance from base to rotating band: 1.25 inches
Width of rotating band: 1.69 inches

Filling: Loose granular black powder (50 grams)

Fuzing: Hotchkiss patent fuze screwed (R.H.) into base; a simple setback arming base fuze presumably of British manufacture.  The base of the fuze is stamped "Hotchkiss Patent DOC"
Weight of fuze: 2 oz

Case:
-Length: 5.19 inches
-Diameter at base: 2.38 inches
-Material: Brass (recovered); Steel (documentary)
-Weight (empty): No Data

The case is crimped into a groove in the base of the projectile by several short crimps.

Propellant: 5 C2 (Type 2 Year propellant) weighing 2.4 oz unperforated cylindrical sticks, approximately 0.5mm by 25.4mm, amber-coloured double-base powder.

The propellant sticks are enclosed in a compartmented bag of heavy brownish silk.

Primer: Small flush type (designation unknown)

Used in: Short 5cm gun
 
This gun, mounted on wooden-spoked wheels as a field piece, corresponds to old U.S. "landing guns" and is probably a copy of an obsolete British gun.  The breech block is the vertical sliding type.



 

Next Time: 80mm Projectiles

Imperial Japanese Army Ammunition - 40mm, 47mm, and 57mm Projectiles

Japanese Explosive Ordnance: Army and Navy Ammunition

 

We're starting to finish up on the remaining aircraft and tank projectiles.

40mm Ho-301 High Explosive Projectile

Dimensions
Length of projectile (Fuzed): 129mm
Length of projectile (w/o fuze): 108mm
Distance base to rotating band (lower edge): 15mm
Width of rotating band: 8mm
Diameter of rotating band: 41mm
Diameter of body: 39mm
Diameter of bourrelet: 39.5mm
Width of bourrelet: 6mm
Distance base to bourrelet (lower edge): 91mm
Wall thickness (propellant chamber): 5mm
Wall thickness (H.E. chamber): 4mm

Weights
Complete round (Fuzed): 1lb 4.7oz
H.E. charge: 2oz
Propellant: 0.4oz
Primer: 0.1oz
Fuze (with gaine): 2.1oz
Gaine: 0.2oz

Primer Dimensions
Length: 9mm
Diameter (Thread): 12mm
T.P.I. (Thread Per Inch): 34 L.H. (Left-Handed)

Used in: Ho-301 40mm aircraft cannon. This is an unusual weapon similar in design to an Oerlikon blow-back operated cannon, but with the head of the bolt machined as a piston which closes the breech at the forward end of its stroke.

Filling: The filling consists of TNT with a forward pellet of picric acid or TNT.

Propellant:
The propellant consists of small, greenish-gray, square flakes of smokeless powder (approx. 1mm square) enclosed in a silk bag which is inserted in the after cavity of the projectile. A sealing cup of thin aluminium fits around the after end of the propellant bag and the charge and cup are held in by a perforated base plate which screws (LH) into the base of the cavity. The base plate has an outer ring of twelve 3/16-inch holes and a central hole threaded (LH) to receive the small flush primer. The aluminium sealing cup is perforated by a single hole in the center to permit the flash from the primer to reach the propellant. The force of the propellant gases blows through the aluminium cup to open the main series of holes.

Fuze:
This is a simple direct-acting nose fuze with a central axial striker held in the unarmed condition by a slotted safety block which in turn is held by two spring-loaded detents.

Remarks:
There is also a practice projectile which has the same dimensions and appearance as the H.E. projectile. It is painted black overall and has a nose plug instead of a fuze.


Type 1 47mm High Explosive Projectile

Weight of complete round: 2.44kg
Weight of projectile (without fuze): 1.15kg
Weight of filling: 0.087kg

Filling: Two preformed paper-wrapped blocks taped together and waxed. The forward block consists of two pellets of picric acid, a ring pellet around the gaine and a solid pellet beneath the gaine. The after block is one piece of cast TNT.

Diameter at bourrelet: 47mm
Length of projectile (without fuze): 140mm
Length of propellant case: 283mm
Length of assembled round (without fuze): 389mm
Diameter of base of case: 72mm

Fuzing: Type 88 instantaneous nose fuze (gun type), Type 88 short-delay nose fuze (gun type).

Used in: Type 1 Anti-tank gun, Type 1 Tank gun.

Weight of propellant: 0.398kg
Propellant: Single perforated cylindrical grains (7/16-inch long, 5/32-inch diameter) of a graphited double-base powder of the following composition:
-Nitrocellulose: 60%
-Nitroglycerine: 34.5%
-Ethyl centralite: 3%
-Diphenyl formamide: 2.5%



Type 1 47mm Armor Piercing Projectile

Weight of complete round: 2.75kg
Weight of projectile (Fuzed): 1.38kg
Weight of projectile (w/o Fuze): 1.27kg
Weight of filling: 0.018kg
Filling: 90% RDX, 10% Paraffin
Diameter at bourrelet: 47mm
Length of projectile (w/o fuze): 143mm
Length of propellant case: 283mm
Length of assembled round: 398mm
Diameter of base of case: 72mm
Width of rotating band: 12mm

Fuzing: Small Mk 2 base fuze (Short delay)

Used in: Type 1 Anti-tank gun, Type 1 Tank gun

Tracer: Yellow, 5 grams
Weight of propellant: .0398kg
Propellant: Single perforated cylindrical grains (7/16-inch long, 5/32-inch diameter) of a graphited double-base powder of the following composition
-Nitrocellulose: 60%
-Nitroglycerine: 34.5%
-Ethyl centralite: 3%
-Diphenyl formamide: 2.5%


Type 90 5.7cm (57mm) High Explosive Projectile

Weight of complete round: 2.91kg
Weight of projectile, filled (Fuzed): 2.36kg
Weight of filling: 0.25kg
Filling: TNT
Diameter at bourrelet: 57mm
Length of projectile (w/o fuze): 181mm
Lenght of propellant case: 121mm
Length of assembled round (without fuze and adapter): 280mm
Width of rotating band: 9.5mm

Fuzing: Type 88 short delay fuze

Propellant: Mk 1 square grain - 113g

Used in: Type 90 Tank gun, Type 97 Tank gun



Type 90 5.7cm (57mm) Substitute projectile

Weight of complete round: 3.04kg
Weight of projectile, filled: 2.23kg
Weight of filling: 0.07kg
Filling: Black Powder
Diameter at bourrelet: 57mm
Length of projectile (w/o Fuze): 183mm
Length of propellant case: 121mm
Length of assembled round (w/o Fuze): 272mm
Width of rotating band: 9.5mm

Fuzing: Type 88 short delay fuze

Propellant: Mk 1 square grain - 113g

Used in: Type 90 Tank gun, Type 97 Tank gun

Remarks:
This projectile is made of cast iron and has very thick walls.



Type 92 5.7cm (57mm) Armor Piercing Projectile

Weight of complete round: 3.13kg
Weight of projectile, filled and fuzed: 2.58kg
Weight of filling: 0.1kg
Filling: Two sections of explosive, individually wrapped in paper
-Upper section: pressed picric acid and wax
-Lower section: Cast TNT
Diameter at bourrelet: 57mm
Length of projectile (w/o fuze adapter): 181mm
Length of propellant case: 121mm
Length of assembled round: 280mm
Width of rotating band: 10mm

Fuzing: Type 92 small base fuze

Propellant: Mk 1 square grain - 113g

Used in: Type 90 Tank gun, Type 97 Tank gun



57mm Ho-401 High Explosive Projectile

Weight of complete round: 2.15kg
Weight of projectile, filled and fuzed: 2.58kg 1.47kg
Weight of filling: No Data
Filling: No Data
Diameter at bourrelet: 57mm
Length of projectile (w/o fuze): 163mm
Length of propellant case: 121mm
Length of assembled round: 270mm
Width of rotating band: 11m

Fuzing: No Data

Propellant: No Data

Used in: Ho-401 aircraft cannon

Note: I believe there is an error with this entry, in my book. The complete round weighs less than the projectile (filled and fuze) which is impossible. In pounds, it gives the round at 4.75 and the projectile at 3.25. Using a mass converter, 3.25lb is the equivalent of 1.47kg.


Next time: 70mm Projectiles, including Hollow Charge types!