Description
This original shell was designed for use against personnel and structures.
The Shell Body Mk Ill is forged from forging steel. It has an ogive radius of 42.98 inches and the base has a cylindrical taper of 7 degrees. There is a circumferential groove machined into the base to receive a copper base plate. A recess 1.98 inches wide and with waved ribs on the bottom is machined into the shell to receive a copper or gilding metal rotating band. The filler cavity is threaded at the nose to take a bushing which continues the ogive, and reduces the size of the nose opening to take Adapter Booster Mk IIA. The complete assembly is 32.64 inches long.
The filler or bursting charge is approximately 49 pounds of TNT or substitutes. The TNT is poured in liquid form into the nose and solidifies on cooling to a temperature below 80.2 C.
The Mk IllA1 Shell is the same as the Mk Ill except that the Mk IIA Adapter Booster is eliminated and new fuzes and boosters are used. PD Fuze M51 with M21 Booster, or Fuze M51A1 with M21A1 Booster, or Fuze, Time, Mechanical, M67, with Booster M21A1 are assembled into the nose bushing.
Functioning
No information about functioning.
See Also
Source(s)
TM 9-1904, Ammunition Inspection Guide (1944)
