Monday 11 September 2017

American Projectiles and Explosives - 3-inch Projectiles







American Projectiles and Explosives



3-inch Projectiles





3-inch A.P. Mk 29 Mods 1 and 2


Guns used in: 3"/50
Overall length w/ cap & windshield: 12.16 inches
Overall length w/o cap & windshield: 6.91 inches
Diameter of base: 2.98 inches
Distance base to band: 1.35 inches
Width of band: 1 inch
Diameter at bourrelet: 2.985 inches

Filling: Explosive D
Weight of filling: 0.3 pounds
Weight of loaded projectile: 13.10 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: 2.28%

Cartridge case: Mk 7 and Mk 9
Primer: Mk 14, Mk 14 Mod 1
Tracer: Integral
Fuzes: Army M66A1 in base (B.D.F.)

This projectile was formerly issued without any explosive filling and with the Tracer Mk 4.  It is now being loaded and at present is fuzed with the Army Base Fuze M66A1.




3-inch Common Mk 3 Mod 7


Guns used in: 3"/23
Overall length: 10.035 inches
Diameter of base: 2.87 inches
Distance base to band: 1.8 inches
Width of band: 0.7 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 2.97 inches

Filling: Black Powder and TNT
Weight of filling: 0.28 pounds
Weight of loaded projectile: 13 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: 2.15%

Cartridge case: Mk 2
Primer: Mk 10 Mod 9
Tracer: Integral in fuze

Fuzes: Base Ignition Fuze Mk 8 Mod 4
Base Ignition Fuzes Mk 9 Mod 5 or Mk 2 Mod 9 (without tracers) may be used in the projectile, but the Mk 8 Mod 4 with integral tracer is preferred.

This round may also be issued B.L. & P. or B.L. & T. with the Tracer Mk 7 for target practice.




3-inch A.A. Mk 23 Mods 1, 2, and 3 (Obsolete)


Guns used in: 3"/50
Overall length w/ nose fuze: 12.18 inches
Overall length w/o nose fuze: 8.11 inches
Diameter of base: 2.98 inches
Distance base to band: 1.8 inches
Width of band: 0.7 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 2.98 inches

Filling: Cast TNT
Weight of filling: 0.74 pounds
Weight of loaded projectile: 13.05 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: 5.67%

Cartridge case: Mk 3, Mk 3 Mods 2 and 3
Primer: Mk 14
Tracer: Mk 4

Fuzes:
Nose: Mk 22 and Mods 1 through 5 (M.T.F.)
-Mk 30 and Mods 1, 2, 3 (P.D.F.)
-Mk 51 and Mods (M.T.F.)

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

The Auxiliary Detonating Fuze Mk 54 replaced the Fuzes Mk 17 and Mk 46 in all assemblies.  Production of this projectile has been discontinued.





3-inch A.A. Mk 26 Mods 1 and 2

No picture available

Guns used in: 3"/28
Overall length w/ nose fuze: 12.13 inches
Overall length w/o nose fuze: 8.11 inches
Diameter of base: 2.97 inches
Distance base to band: 1.8 inches
Width of band: 0.7 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 2.98 inches

Filling: Cast TNT
Weight of filling: 0.74 pounds
Weight of loaded projectile: 12.95 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: 5.71%

Cartridge case: Mk 2
Primer: Mk 10 Mod 9
Tracer: Mk 4

Fuzes:
Nose: Mk 22 and Mods 1 through 5 (M.T.F.)
-Mk 51 and Mods (M.T.F.)

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

The Auxiliary Detonating Fuze Mk 54 replaced the Fuzes Mk 17 and Mk 46 in all assemblies.

The shape of the 3-inch A.A. Projectile Mk 26 is, for all general purposes, the same as that shown for the Mk 23.







3-inch A.A. Mk 27 Mods 1, 2, and 3

No picture available

Guns used in: 3"/50
Overall length w/ nose fuze: 12.18 inches
Overall length w/o nose fuze: 8.11 inches
Diameter of base: 2.98 inches
Distance base to band: 1.35 inches
Width of band: 1 inch
Diameter at bourrelet: 2.98 inches

Filling: Cast TNT
Weight of filling: 0.74 pounds
Weight of loaded projectile: 13 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: 5.67%

Cartridge case: Mk 7 all Mods, or Mk 9 Mod 0
Primer: Mk 14, Mk 14 Mod 1
Tracer: Mk 4

Fuzes:
Nose: Mk 22 and Mods 1 through 5 (M.T.F.)
-Mk 30 and Mods 1, 2, 3 (P.D.F.)
-Mk 51 and Mods (M.T.F.)

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

This projectile becomes 3-inch H.C. when the Fuze Mk 30 is substituted for the Mk 22.  The Auxiliary Detonating Fuze Mk 54 is replacing the Mk 17 and the Mk 46 in all assemblies.

This projectile's shape is almost exactly similar to that of the Mk 23.





3-inch A.A. Mk 31 Mod 1


Guns used in: 3"/50
Overall length w/ nose fuze: 12.22 inches
Overall length w/o nose fuze: 8.5 inches
Diameter of base: 2.98 inches
Distance base to band: 1.35 inches
Width of band: 1 inch
Diameter at bourrelet: 2.985 inches

Filling: Cast TNT, Composition A
Weight of filling: 0.54 pounds
Weight of loaded projectile: 12.9 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: 4.1%

Cartridge case: Mk 7, or Mk 9
Primer: Mk 14, Mk 14 Mod 1
Tracer: None

Fuzes:
Nose: Mk 45 Mod 12 (V.T.F.)
-Mk 58 and all Mods (V.T.F.)

Auxiliary Detonating Fuze: Mk 44 Mods 0 and 1

This projectile is specially cavitized to receive V.T. fuzes and their auxiliary detonating fuzes.  No other fuzes may be assembled.  Since V.T. fuzing is employed, no tracer is assembled; instead, the base is solid, and a special sheet-steel base cover plate is welded on, 0.081 inches thick and 2.5 inches in diameter.

This projectile replaces the original Mk 31 Mod 0, which has been recalled from service use.  The Mod 0 was cavitized to receive the V.T. Fuze Mk 45 Mod 11, which differed from the Mod 12 by having a longer stem and has been declared unserviceable.

The V.T. Fuze Mk 58 is currently replacing the Mk 45 Mod 12 in all assemblies.









3-inch Illuminating Mk 21 Mods 1, 2, and 3

No picture available

Guns used in: 3"/50
Overall length w/ nose fuze: 13.07 inches
Overall length w/o nose fuze: 9.32 inches
Diameter of base: 2.97 inches
Distance base to band: 1.8 inches
Width of band: 0.7 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 2.985 inches

Filling: Black powder expelling charge; magnesium flare - Illuminating Contents Mk 3
Weight of filling: Expelling charge - One ounce black powder
Weight of loaded projectile: 13 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: N/A

Cartridge case: Mk 3 Mods 2 and 3
Primer: Mk 14, Mk 14 Mod 1
Tracer: None
Fuzes: Mk 22 Mods 1 through 5 (M.T.F.), or Mk 51 and all Mods (M.T.F.)








3-inch Illuminating Mk 22 Mods 1 - 5

No picture available

Guns used in: 3"/23
Overall length w/ nose fuze: 13.07 inches
Overall length w/o nose fuze: 9.32 inches
Diameter of base: 2.965 inches
Distance base to band: 1.8 inches
Width of band: 0.7 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 2.98 inches

Filling: Black powder expelling charge; magnesium flare - Illuminating Contents Mk 3
Weight of filling: Expelling charge - 3/8 ounces black powder
Weight of loaded projectile: 13 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: N/A

Cartridge case: Mk 2
Primer: Mk 10 Mod 9
Tracer: None
Fuzes: Mk 22 Mods 1 through 5 (M.T.F.), or Mk 51 and all Mods (M.T.F.)









3-inch Illuminating Mk 24 Mod 1

No picture available

Guns used in: 3"/50
Overall length w/ nose fuze: 13.07 inches
Overall length w/o nose fuze: 9.35 inches
Diameter of base: 2.972 inches
Distance base to band: 1.8 inches
Width of band: 0.7 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 2.98 inches

Filling: Black powder expelling charge; magnesium flare - Illuminating Contents Mk 3
Weight of filling: Expelling charge - 3/8 ounces black powder
Weight of loaded projectile: 13.04 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: N/A

Cartridge case: Mk 3, Mk 3 Mods 2 and 3
Primer: Mk 14, Mk 14 Mod 1
Tracer: None
Fuzes: Mk 22 Mods 1 through 5 (M.T.F.), or Mk 51 and all Mods (M.T.F.)










3-inch Illuminating Mk 25 Mod 1

No picture available

Guns used in: 3"/50
Overall length w/ nose fuze: 13.07 inches
Overall length w/o nose fuze: 9.35 inches
Diameter of base: 2.962 inches
Distance base to band: 1.35 inches
Width of band: 1 inch
Diameter at bourrelet: 2.98 inches

Filling: Black powder expelling charge; magnesium flare - Illuminating Contents Mk 3
Weight of filling: Expelling charge - 3/8 ounces black powder
Weight of loaded projectile: 13.07 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: N/A

Cartridge case: Mk 7 or Mk 9
Primer: Mk 14, Mk 14 Mod 1
Tracer: None
Fuzes:Nose: Mk 22 Mods 1 through 5 (M.T.F.), or Mk 51 and all Mods (M.T.F.)


Lot numbers 9 through 98 of the Fuze Mk 22 Mods 2 and 3 are authorized for use with Projectile Mk 25 and Mods in the guns Mk 21 and Mk 22.








3-inch Illuminating Mk 28 Mod 1


Guns used in: 3"/23
Overall length w/ nose fuze: 13.07 inches
Overall length w/o nose fuze: 9.35 inches
Diameter of base: 2.965 inches
Distance base to band: 1.8 inches
Width of band: 0.7 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 2.98 inches

Filling: Black powder expelling charge; magnesium flare - Illuminating Contents Mk 3
Weight of filling: Expelling charge - 3/8 ounces black powder
Weight of loaded projectile: 13 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: N/A

Cartridge case: Mk 2
Primer: Mk 10 Mod 9
Tracer: None
Fuzes:Nose: Mk 22 Mods 1 through 5 (M.T.F.), or Mk 51 and all Mods (M.T.F.)


Lot numbers 9 through 98 of the Fuze Mk 22 Mods 2 and 3 are authorized for use with Projectile Mk 25 and Mods in the guns Mk 21 and Mk 22.





Next Time: 4-inch Projectiles

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