German Projectiles - 88mm Projectiles

German Projectiles

Hollow Charge Projectile, Type 39, 88mm

No picture available

German Designation: H L Gr. Patr. 39 Flak (Hohl Ladun Granate Patrone 39 Flugabwehrkanone)

Employment: 8.8cm Flak 18
                       8.8cm Flak 36
                       8.8cm Flak 37

Dimensions

Total weight (projectile): 16.83 pounds

Weight of bursting charge: 1.5 pounds

Soft iron rotating bands

No tracer

Overall length (cartridge case): 22.4 inches

Diameter at case neck: 3.625 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 3.812 inches

Diameter at base: 4.02 inches

Weight of case: 11.625 pounds

Type of propellant: Diglycol

Fuze: Nose percussion fuze AZ 38 St.
This fuze is identical with the AZ 38 except that it is made of steel.

Markings: Painted Grey, stencilled in black.
"HL FES" stencilled on body.

 Remarks: Information is from captured documents.  All three weapons employ the same cartridge case.

A.P.C. Projectile, Type 39, 88mm

No picture available

German Designation: Pzgr. Patr. 39 (Panzergranate Patrone 39)

Employment: 8.8cm Flak. 41

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 45.5 inches
Overall length (projectile): 13.5 inches

Distance from base to band: 1.937 inches

Width of rotating bands: 0.469 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 3.437 inches
Total weight (complete round): 46 pounds
Total weight (projectile): 22.44 pounds
Weight of bursting charge: 2.12 ounces

Type of Bursting Charge: Cyclonite

Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 33.687 inches

Diameter at case neck: 3.562 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 4.094 inches

Diameter at case base: 4.844 inches

Weight of propellant: 11.91 pounds

Type of propellant: Tubular Gudol

Fuze: Base detonating fuze - Bd. Z. f 8.8cm (unmarked)

Markings: Painted black with white tip.

 Remarks: This is the "small cavity" type of German APCBCHE with Cyclonite bursting charge and a spring-loaded fuze.

H.E. Projectile Type L/4.5, 88mm

German Designation: Sprgr. Patr. L/4.5 (Kpf.Z) (Sprenggranate Patrone Lange/4.5 (Kopfzunder) )

Employment: 8.8cm Flak 18
                       8.8cm Flak 36
                       8.8cm Flak 37

Dimensions

Overall length (projectile): 15.51 inches

Distance from base to band: 1.375 inches

Width of lower rotating band: 0.531 inches

Width of upper rotating band: 0.469 inches
Diameter of bourrelet: 3.446 inches
Diameter of projectile base: 3.447 inches
Total weight (projectile): 20.35 pounds
Weight of bursting charge: 1.9 pounds

Type of Bursting Charge: Amatol 40/60

No tracer

Overall length (cartridge case): 22.4 inches

Diameter at case neck: 3.625 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 3.812 inches

Diameter at case base: 4.02 inches

Weight of case: 11.625 pounds
Weight of propellant: 5.03 pounds

Type of propellant: Tubular Diglycol

Fuze: Nose percussion fuze - AZ 23/28 or Mechanical time fuze - Zt. Z. s/30

Markings: Painted yellow or green

Packaging: Three rounds in a wicker basket - 123 pounds; or
One round in metal cylinder - 47.3 pounds

 Remarks: All three weapons employ the same cartridge case.  There are two types of this projectile.  One has a cardboard container, the other has a solid base and is poured filled.

A.P. Projectile for 88mm Anti-Tank Gun, 88mm

German Designation: 8.8cm Pzgr. Patr. 41 (Panzergranate Patrone 41)

Employment: 8.8cm Flak 36
                       8.8cm Flak 41

Dimensions

Overall length w/o fuze (projectile): 13 inches

Distance from base to bands: 1.375 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.48 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 3.45 inches

Total weight (complete round): 22.8 pounds
Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 33.625 inches

Diameter at case neck: 3.55 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 4.1 inches

Diameter at base: 4.65 inches

Weight of propellant: 5.38 kilograms
Type of propellant: Tubular Diglycol

Fuze: Bd. Z 5127

A.P. Projectile with Tungsten Carbide Core (Type 40), 88mm

German Designation: 8.8cm Pzgr. 40 (Panzergranate 40)

Employment: 8.8cm Flak 36
                       8.8cm Flak 41

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 33.99 inches
Overall length (projectile): 12.75 inches
Distance from base to band: 1.166 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.437 inches
Diameter of bourrelet: 3.437 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 3.562 inches

Total weight (projectile): 16 pounds

Length of tungsten carbide core: 5.437 inches
Diameter of tungsten carbide core: 1.406 inches
Weight of tungsten carbide core: 4.25 pounds

Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 22.4 inches

Diameter at case neck: 3.625 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 3.812 inches

Diameter at base: 4.02 inches

Weight of case: 11.625 pounds

Type of propellant: Diglycol

Fuze: No fuze

Markings: Painted black

 Remarks: The cartridge case employed for Flak 41 is "8.8cm Flak 41" (Fixed).

H.E. Projectile Type L/4.7, 88mm

German Designation: Sprgr. Patr. L/4.7 (Sprenggranate Patrone Lange/4.7 FES)

Employment: 8.8cm Flak 41
                       8.8cm Flak 43

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 47 inches
Overall length (projectile): 16.35 inches
Distance from base to band: 2.905 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.51 inches
Diameter of bourrelet: 3.425 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 3.031 inches
Total weight (complete round): 46.42 pounds

Total weight (projectile): 20.68 pounds

Weight of bursting charge: 1.9 pounds

Type of bursting charge: 40/60 Amatol

Overall length (cartridge case): 33.687 inches

Diameter at case neck: 3.562 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 4.094 inches

Diameter at base: 4.844 inches

Type of propellant: Tubular Gudol
Fuze: Nose percussion fuze - AZ 23/28v; or
Mechanical time fuze - Zt. Z s/30

Markings: Painted yellow

A.P.C. Projectile for AA Gun 18, 88mm

German Designation: Pzgr. Patr. m.3d. Z. (Panzergranate Patrone mit Boden Zunder)

Employment: 8.8cm Flak 18
                       8.8cm Flak 36
                       8.8cm Flak 37

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 34.25 inches
Overall length (projectile): 13.25 inches

Width of bimetallic rotating band: 0.469 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 3.437 inches
Total weight (complete round): 35.2 pounds

Total weight (projectile): 20.75 pounds

Weight of bursting charge: 5.5 pounds

Type of bursting charge: TNT/Wax
Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 22.4 inches

Diameter at case neck: 3.625 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 3.812 inches

Diameter at base: 4.02 inches
Weight of propellant: 5.65 pounds

Type of propellant: Tubular Diglycol
Fuze: Base detonating fuze - Bd. Z. f. 8.8cm

Markings: Painted black

Packaging: Three rounds to a wicker basket, or one round to a metal container.

Remarks: This projectile is the large cavity design of German A.P.C.

Next Time: 105mm Projectiles Part 1

German Projectiles - 37mm to 42.48mm Projectiles

German Projectiles

H.E.T. Projectile for Naval Gun C/30, 37mm

German Designation: 3.7cm Sprgr. L'spur (Sprenggranate Leuchtspur)

Employment: 3.7cm Naval C/30

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 20 inches

Total weight (complete round): 4.5 pounds

Fuze: C/30

Markings: Yellow body with black and red rings.

Three bimetallic rotating bands.

A.P. Projectile without Cap for Polish AT Gun, 37mm

German Designation: 3.7cm Pzgr. (Panzergranate)

Employment: 3.7cm Pak (P)

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 13.3 inches

Overall length w/ fuze (projectile): 4.625 inches

Diameter at bourrelet: 1.375 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.437 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 0.562 inches

Distance base to band: 0.812 inches

Total weight (complete round): 1 pound, 7.98 ounces

Weight of bursting charge: 0.44 ounces

Type of filling: TNT

No tracer

Overall length (cartridge case): 10.125 inches

Diameter at case neck: 1.5 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 1.687 inches

Depth of extracting groove: 2.187 inches

Weight of propellant: 6.5 ounces

Type of propellant: Strip propellant

Fuze: 3.7 WZ 36

Markings: Yellow overall, with red band below nose.

Stamped C-21 and PK-21-38

Remarks: There is a deep cannelure 0.437 inches from the mouth of this case.

A.P. Projectile with Core (Arrowhead Design), 37mm

German Designation: 3.7cm Pzgr. Patr. 40 (Panzergranate Patronen 40)

Employment: 3.7cm Pak 36  (Panzerabwehrkanone)


Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 11.95 inches
Overall length (projectile): 3.531 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 1.447 inches
Width of rotating band: 0.375 inches
Diameter of projectile base: 1.456 inches
Diameter of body midway: 0.937 inches
Total weight (complete round): 2.1 pounds
Total weight (projectile): 12.34 ounces
Length of tungsten carbide core: 2.26 inches
Diameter of tungsten carbide core: 0.62 inches
Weight of bursting charge: 0.44 ounces

Type of filling: None
Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 9.75 inches
Diameter at case neck: 1.5 inches
Diameter at case shoulder: 1.625 inches
Diameter of rim: 2 inches
Weight of propellant: 5 ounces
Type of propellant: Tubular double-base propellant

Fuze: None

Markings: "Aux 7a40"

Rodded Bomb for AT Gun, 37mm

German Designation: 3.7cm Stielgranat 41

Employment: 3.7cm Pak 41 (Panzerabwehrkanone 41)

Dimensions

Overall length (projectile): 27.362 inches

Length of bomb body: 10.826 inches

Diameter of bomb body: 5.708 inches

Total weight of projectile: 18.26 pounds

Weight of bursting charge: 5.28 pounds

Type of bursting charge: Cyclonite/TNT 60/40

(2 blocks in wax paper wrapping cemented to interior wall of bomb)

 Weight of propellant: 6.61 ounces

Type of propellant: Ngl R.P. (Tubular double base propellant Nitroglycerine and Nitrocellulose)

Fuze: AZ 5075 & BdZ 5130

Remarks: The rodded bomb is fitted with both nose percussion and base fuzes and incorporates the hollow charge principle.  The bomb has a rod which fits into the bore, and a concentric perforate sleeve which fits over the barrel of the gun.

A.P. Projectile without Cap for AA Gun, 37mm

German Designation: 3.7cm Pzgr. Patr. 18 (Panzergranate Patronen 18)

Employment: 3.7cm Flak 18 and 3.7cm Flak 36 (Flugabwehrkanone 18 or 36)


Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 12.519 inches
Overall length (projectile): 4.055 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 1.49 inches
Width of rotating band: 0.312 inches
Diameter of projectile base: 1.437 inches
Total weight (complete round): 3.476 pounds
Total weight (projectile): 24.68 ounces
Weight of bursting charge: 4.58 ounces
Type of bursting charge: PETN/Wax


Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 10.156 inches
Diameter at case neck: 1.594 inches
Diameter at case shoulder: 1.625 inches
Depth of extracting groove: 1.844 inches
Weight of propellant: 6.52 ounces
Type of propellant: Digl R.P. (Tubular Diethylene Glycoldinatrate and Nitrocellulose)

Fuze: Bd. Z. 5103









H.E. Projectile for AA Gun, 37mm

German Designation: 3.7cm Sprgr. Patr. 18 (Panzergranate Patronen 18)

Employment: 3.7cm Flak 18 and 3.7cm Flak 36 (Flugabwehrkanone 18 or 36)


Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 13.779 inches
Overall length (projectile): 5 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 1.469 inches
Width of rotating band: 0.375 inches
Diameter of projectile base: 1.437 inches
Distance base to band: 1 inch
Total weight (complete round): 3.32 pounds
Total weight (projectile): 21.943 ounces
Weight of bursting charge: 0.856 ounces
Type of bursting charge: PETN/Wax

Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 10.156 inches
Diameter at case neck: 1.594 inches
Diameter at case shoulder: 1.625 inches
Depth of extracting groove: 1.844 inches
Weight of propellant: 6.7 ounces
Type of propellant: Ngl R.P. (Tubular Nitroglycerine and Nitrocellulose)

Fuze: 3.7 Kopf. Z. Zerl P. or 3.7cm Kopf. Z. Zerl Fg.

Markings: Yellow overall; two deep cannelures below rotating band

H.E. Projectile (Type 40) for AT Gun, 37mm

German Designation: 3.7cm Sprgr. Patr. 40 (Sprenggranate Patronen 40)

Employment: 3.7cm Pak. (Panzerabwehrkanone)

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 13.937 inches

Overall length (projectile): 5.039 inches

Diameter at bourrelet: 1.448 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.33 inches
Diameter of rotating band: 1.599 inches

Total weight (complete round): 2.9 pounds
Total weight (projectile): 23.454 ounces
Type of bursting charge: PETN/Wax (90/10)
Total weight of bursting charge: 1.587 ounces

Small tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 9.75 inches

Diameter at case neck: 1.5 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 1.625 inches

Diameter at rim: 2 inches

Type of propellant: Digl. R.P. (Tubular Diethylene Digycoldinitrate and Nitrocellulose)
Total weight of propellant: 6.17 ounces

Fuze: AZ 39

Markings: Silver-grey overall, no colored bands.

A.P. Projectile without Cap for AT Gun, 37mm

German Designation: 3.7cm Pzgr. Patr. (Panzergranate Patronen)

Employment: 3.7cm Pak.  (Panzerabwehrkanone)

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 13.27 inches

Overall length (projectile): 3.897 inches

Diameter at bourrelet: 1.447 inches
Diameter of copper rotating band: 1.502 inches

Width of copper rotating band: 0.478 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 1.437 inches

Distance from base to band: 0.562 inches
Total weight (complete round): 2.9 pounds
Total weight (projectile): 1.5 pounds
Type of bursting charge: PETN/Wax (82/18)
Weight of bursting charge: 0.46 ounces

Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 9.75 inches

Diameter at case neck: 1.5 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 1.625 inches

Depth of extracting groove: 2 inches

Type of propellant: Digl. R.P. (Tubular Diethylene Glycoldinitrate and Nitrocellulose); or
177gm Ngl. R.P. (Tubular Nitroglycerine & Nitrocellulose)
Weight of propellant: 6.66 ounces

Fuze: 5103

Markings: Overall black;
"Co 7.741 G TP 33 11Cw.G. 1.40" Stencilled in red;
"G251 DL 608 1939C" Stamped on base.

H.E. Projectile Type 18 for AT Gun, 37mm

German Designation: 3.7cm Sprgr. Patr. 18 umg (Sprenggranate Patronen 18 umgeandert)

Employment: 3.7cm Pak. (Panzerabwehrkanone)

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 13.503 inches

Overall length (projectile): 5.093 inches

Diameter at bourrelet: 1.448 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.33 inches
Diameter of rotating band: 1.599 inches

Total weight (complete round): 2.838 pounds
Total weight (projectile): 21.767 ounces

Type of bursting charge: PETN/Wax (90/10)
Weight of bursting charge: 0.917 ounces

Large tracer present

Diameter at case neck: 1.51 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 1.61 inches

Diameter of flange: 1.8 inches

Type of propellant: Digl. R.P. (Tubular Diethylene Glycoldinitrate and Nitrocellulose)
Weight of propellant: 6.17 ounces

Fuze: 3.7cm Kopf Z. Zerl P. (red tip);  AZ 39 (yellow tip)

Markings: Painted silver-gray, yellow band;
"P 180 G d.7 cm Pak. 6331" Stamped on base.

Packaging: Twelve rounds to a metal carrier - 20kg








 

H.E. Projectile for Anti-Aircraft Gun, 40mm

German Designation: 4cm Sprgr. Patr. (Sprenggranate Patronen)

Employment: Flak 28 (Flugabwerhkanone 28)

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 17.7 inches

Overall length w/ fuze (projectile): 7.062 inches

Diameter at bourrelet: 1.571 inches

Width of rotating band (Bimetallic): 0.625 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 0.75 inches

Distance from base to band: 1.437 inches
Total weight (projectile): 2.2 pounds

Type of bursting charge: TNT
Weight of bursting charge: 1.38 ounces

Tracer present (11 to 12 sec, self-destroying)

Overall length (cartridge case): 12.25 inches

Diameter at case neck: 1.6 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 1.88 inches

Depth of extracting base: 2.44 inches

Type of propellant: Ngl. R.P. (Tubular Nitroglycerine and Nitrocellulose)
Weight of propellant: 9.7 ounces

Fuze: KZ 38

Markings: Painted yellow, red band.

Remarks: Similar to British Quickfiring H.E. 40mm Bofors, Mark 1 - T shell except for the following differences:


1. Larger streamlining at base.
2. Larger tracer.
3. Smaller bursting charge.


Fuze same as British DA No. 250

H.E. Projectile for Tapered Bore Gun, 42.48mm

German Designation: 4.2-2.8cm Sprgr. Patr. L Pak. 41 (Sprenggranate Patronen L Pak 41)

Employment: L Pak 41 (L. Panzerabwehrkanone 41)

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 17.875 inches

Overall length w/o fuze (projectile): 4.031 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 1.656 inches

Distance of body midway: 1.125 inches
Total weight (complete round): 2.992 pounds 

Type of bursting charge: Cyclonite/Wax (90/10)
Weight of bursting charge: 0.98 ounces

Overall length (cartridge case): 15.748 inches

Diameter at case neck: 1.45 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 1.6 inches

Diameter of extracting groove: 2 inches

Type of propellant: Digl. R.P. (Tubular Diethylene Glycoldinitrate and Nitrocellulose)
Weight of propellant: 10.94 ounces

Fuze: AZ 5072 (similar to AZ 5045)

A.P. Projectile with Core for Tapered Bore Gun, 42.48mm

German Designation: 4.2-2.8cm Pzgr. Patr. L Pak. 41 (Panzergranate Patronen L Pak 41)

Employment: L Pak 41 (L. Panzerabwehrkanone 41)

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 18.1 inches

Overall length (projectile): 3.76 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 1.65 inches

Distance of body midway: 1.062 inches
Total weight (complete round): 3.34 pounds
Total weight (projectile): 11.86 ounces

Length of Tungsten carbide core: 2.25 inches
Diameter of Tungsten carbide core: 0.594 inches
Weight of bursting charge: 0.98 ounces

Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 15.748 inches

Diameter at case neck: 1.45 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 1.6 inches

Diameter of extracting groove: 2 inches

Type of propellant: Tubular Gudol
Weight of propellant: 15.32 ounces

Markings: Painted black

Next Time: 47mm to 50mm Projectiles