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British 25lb AP head for aircraft 3in rockets

Vasco Da Gama

Well-Known Member
Not my normal area of collecting but I could not resist the projectile pictured. I think that it is a 1943 dated 25lb AP head for the British 3in aircraft rocket, used on aircraft such as the Typhoon. My understanding is that both a 60lb semi-armour piecing and a 25lb AP were produced. Although initial intended for use against tanks the solid 25lb projectile found more favour as an anti-shipping weapon. The marks on the item are: VA, Lot 55, 2/43 and potentially a 3 in square brackets. Pictured alongside a 25lb AP shot from the British WW2 field gun to show the family likeness. Glad to be further educated!
 

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Hangarman is the chap for these. Nice item, and not common. Various other types too, Im sure Spotter puts some pics of concrete practice versions on here somewhere found on range clearance?? Tig:tinysmile_classes_t
 
There are examples of 3" AP heads made from 25pr AP projectiles. These have the driving bands turned flush with the body and are threaded for an adapter.
 
Here the examples from the 25 Pr AP projectile and some other types.
 

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Seeing your 25 Pr i start wondering what one the first picture the one below the converted ones is. I asumed it was teh 25 Pr but only 9 inches heigh.
 
Nice piece mate, I have a motor for that, would you consider selling it or a swap/trade? :)

Cheers

Alex
 
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The first 60 25lb AP warheads recovered from the cantonment of an old ammunition depot. Apparently in the 1950's these made good fill under footpaths around the HQ. Probably the same number to go, my opo thought the detector was blitzed when I ran over the site on spec.
 
The first 60 25lb AP warheads recovered from the cantonment of an old ammunition depot. Apparently in the 1950's these made good fill under footpaths around the HQ. Probably the same number to go, my opo thought the detector was blitzed when I ran over the site on spec.

Pity you cant ship a few to the UK.....
 
Now I have learned to load photos, here is the first batch. We have actually pulled 270 of these and 24 concrete prac heads from a 10m strip. Looks like they were used a ballast under the foot paths of an old ammunition depot, this was from one married quarter, there were 15 on the depot.
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