M83 information required on development and dates of use

[butterfly]

T 11 wings
Picked these up. They are Marked T11 and it looks like REX

Very nice indeed gijunkman. A very nice set of early M83 wings (presumably early designation T-11)
great pick up.

Thanks for posting the pictures.

regards
Kev

[SG500]

Very nice indeed, thanks for showing them.
Dave.

[HAZORD]

Here are two examples of different paint jobs, with closeups of their fuzes.

I hadn't looked at them too closely before, but the M129 U fuze has a selector on top to select air or ground.

[butterfly]

Here are two examples of different paint jobs, with closeups of their fuzes.

I hadn't looked at them too closely before, but the M129 U fuze has a selector on top to select air or ground.

Two great sets there Hazord.
The M129 is the copy of the German 41 fuze for airburst or impact
The T48 is an early copy of the German 67 (30 min delay) fuze.

First time I have seen an American M83 painted in bright yellow. Do you think it has been repainted at any point in its life or do you consider it to be original to the piece. very intresting.

Also note the variation of the spelling fuze and fuse - probably just manufacturers but intresting never the less!

Thanks for posting
regards
Kev

[butterfly]

I'm still on the lookout for details relating to dates of development of the M83.
US-Subs posted a picture of a fuze dated 11 / 44,(many thanks), has anyone got anything at all, documents or items pre-dating this?

Also haven't seen any documents giving anything other than M83 as the designation. I now have seen pictures of wings stamped

T-11 and T-45 anyone know if this is early designation pre- M83 ?


Also at the other end of the spectrum, when did the M83 become obsolete?

Many thanks for all your help so far.
regards to all
Kev

[HAZORD]

Kev,

As far as the yellow butterfly goes, it is the first one I have seen, and it was that way when I got it. The paint looks original, and doesn't show any other color underneath. It is the correct shade for ordnance yellow of that vintage.

The fuze/fuse thing is interesting. Probably some authoritative person in the office that corrected the spelling on the drawing because they thought it should be fuse, and didn't know any different.

John

[butterfly]

Kev,

As far as the yellow butterfly goes, it is the first one I have seen, and it was that way when I got it. The paint looks original, and doesn't show any other color underneath. It is the correct shade for ordnance yellow of that vintage.

The fuze/fuse thing is interesting. Probably some authoritative person in the office that corrected the spelling on the drawing because they thought it should be fuse, and didn't know any different.

John

Thanks John,
Really intresting with the yellow painted wings, they look original in the photos you posted, but always good to get an opinion at source. The Germans used bright yellow as a colour scheme so its also possible this was the basis used also. Intresting that it should be on a later style of wings too.

Have also noticed another difference in the way the fuzes are marked generally,
some are stamped,

bomb, fuze .... and others fuze, bomb...

again put this down to official designation and variations in manufacturers stampings. Still intresting to note though.

regards Kev

[SG500]

Here are two examples of different paint jobs, with closeups of their fuzes.

I hadn't looked at them too closely before, but the M129 U fuze has a selector on top to select air or ground.

Now they're really nice, we don't get too many of those flying over to the UK. Thanks for showing them.
Dave.