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25 Pounder Star B.E Mk7B
- Thread starter Big Dave
- Start date
I'm thinking that the projectile wall is so thin, to accommodate the diameter of the flare assembly, that the band needs to be supported inside by the base plug. Otherwise the pressure on the band when going down the barrel, would swage the body to a smaller diameter, preventing the flare from exiting. The HE projo you show has a thick wall near the bottom, to support the band.
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There are several other 25Pr BE shells but they all have the driving band further forward.
Only the 25 Pr BE Star shell has the driving band (DB) at the rear. Apart from HAZORDs reasoning, which has merit, in this instance the DB was positioned at the rear to provide drag as far back as possible, to prevent tumbling.
All the other BE shell have three relatively light smoke pots, with a central tube with ignition holes, so they are pushed out by the Fuze Time and Direct Action No.221 series and lit from the flash at the same time. These may be used at various ranges.
The star shell (later renamed Illuminating) has a large single pot with an open end which is ignited by the propellant on firing.
This is only used in the local area to see what the enemy is doing and may or may not have a parachute, which also has to be ejected by the Fuze 221. It would be more difficult to eject the contents into wind.
The shell has the correct basic body colour and markings for 1943, with the exception of the composition and its location.
SR 264A is a widely used composition in smoke generators. The illuminating composition of choice should be SR 562, which was first produced in the 1930s and is still in use in illuminating ammunition today. The composition should be positioned in the centre of the red star. This all changed in 1944.
There were four different DB positions for various reasons, some requiring a lighter touch, such as the forward BE smoke shell and others heavier.
A heavy one was for the 25 Pr AP/T shot, which was also positioned as far to the rear as possible to prevent tumbling.
Only the 25 Pr BE Star shell has the driving band (DB) at the rear. Apart from HAZORDs reasoning, which has merit, in this instance the DB was positioned at the rear to provide drag as far back as possible, to prevent tumbling.
All the other BE shell have three relatively light smoke pots, with a central tube with ignition holes, so they are pushed out by the Fuze Time and Direct Action No.221 series and lit from the flash at the same time. These may be used at various ranges.
The star shell (later renamed Illuminating) has a large single pot with an open end which is ignited by the propellant on firing.
This is only used in the local area to see what the enemy is doing and may or may not have a parachute, which also has to be ejected by the Fuze 221. It would be more difficult to eject the contents into wind.
The shell has the correct basic body colour and markings for 1943, with the exception of the composition and its location.
SR 264A is a widely used composition in smoke generators. The illuminating composition of choice should be SR 562, which was first produced in the 1930s and is still in use in illuminating ammunition today. The composition should be positioned in the centre of the red star. This all changed in 1944.
There were four different DB positions for various reasons, some requiring a lighter touch, such as the forward BE smoke shell and others heavier.
A heavy one was for the 25 Pr AP/T shot, which was also positioned as far to the rear as possible to prevent tumbling.
Hi,
Just a precision, if i could, for Chemical 25 Pr BE, which have several position for the driving band.
MKI to MK VII have a forward D.B (Head filling D.D.L 10171),
Mk VIII was a converted HE (Head filling D.D.L 12974)
MK IX and X have D.B at the rear. (Head filling D.D.L 10171)
All number except MKVII, VIII, IX and X, have a light metal piston secured to the lower end of burster container by a nut.
In the Mark 7 and 10, the diameter of the burster container is increased and this provides a piston action for expelling the chemical charging through the base of the shell.
Mark 8, is converted H.E, the burster container have no cannelure.
JM
Just a precision, if i could, for Chemical 25 Pr BE, which have several position for the driving band.
MKI to MK VII have a forward D.B (Head filling D.D.L 10171),
Mk VIII was a converted HE (Head filling D.D.L 12974)
MK IX and X have D.B at the rear. (Head filling D.D.L 10171)
All number except MKVII, VIII, IX and X, have a light metal piston secured to the lower end of burster container by a nut.
In the Mark 7 and 10, the diameter of the burster container is increased and this provides a piston action for expelling the chemical charging through the base of the shell.
Mark 8, is converted H.E, the burster container have no cannelure.
JM
Sprgr30s information comes mainly from a pre October 1944 Roman numeral Mark system which became formalised as Arabic numerals after this date.
The table below was post this date and is substantially as stated by him.
The drawings show the piston situation for each mark and it is possible to see how they vary.
The last drawing shows stylised chemical shell markings and happens to be based on a 25Pr.
The table below was post this date and is substantially as stated by him.
The drawings show the piston situation for each mark and it is possible to see how they vary.
The last drawing shows stylised chemical shell markings and happens to be based on a 25Pr.