pzgr40
Well-Known Member
Cutaway models of three types of Incendiary cartridges as used in the Browning .50 machineguns.
It is interesting to observe the differences:
Type 1; Incendiary M1. The projectile has a boat tail, filled with a lead plug. Above the boat tail a steel pipe is placed, filled with Thermite ( a mixture of 45% aluminiumpowder, 45% iron oxide, 5% barium nitrate, and 5% binding agent). This is the most common type of incendiary projectile.
The loose bullet can be recognized by the boat tail and the double knurled groove on the projectile body.
The nose color is light blue (if still present).
Type 2; Incendiary The projectile has a straight body, a short lead base plug and a longer steel pipe, containing more Thermite than the M1 type
The loose bullet can be recognized by the flat bottom with a small fillet and a knurled groove and a thin groove on the body.
The nose color is light blue.
Type 3; Incendiary M23 the projectile has a straight body with a lead base plug, above which a thermite filled steel cup is placed. This projectile contains much more Thermite (5,83 grams) than the types 1 & 2and was meant to ignite the fuel tanks of enemy planes. The M23 was especially meant for usage in aircraft weapons.
The loose bullet can be recognized by the flat bottom with a small fillet and a wide and narrow knurled groove on the body.
The nose color is dark blue with a light blue ring below it. This type of incendiary projectile is not often encountered.
Regards, DJH
It is interesting to observe the differences:
Type 1; Incendiary M1. The projectile has a boat tail, filled with a lead plug. Above the boat tail a steel pipe is placed, filled with Thermite ( a mixture of 45% aluminiumpowder, 45% iron oxide, 5% barium nitrate, and 5% binding agent). This is the most common type of incendiary projectile.
The loose bullet can be recognized by the boat tail and the double knurled groove on the projectile body.
The nose color is light blue (if still present).
Type 2; Incendiary The projectile has a straight body, a short lead base plug and a longer steel pipe, containing more Thermite than the M1 type
The loose bullet can be recognized by the flat bottom with a small fillet and a knurled groove and a thin groove on the body.
The nose color is light blue.
Type 3; Incendiary M23 the projectile has a straight body with a lead base plug, above which a thermite filled steel cup is placed. This projectile contains much more Thermite (5,83 grams) than the types 1 & 2and was meant to ignite the fuel tanks of enemy planes. The M23 was especially meant for usage in aircraft weapons.
The loose bullet can be recognized by the flat bottom with a small fillet and a wide and narrow knurled groove on the body.
The nose color is dark blue with a light blue ring below it. This type of incendiary projectile is not often encountered.
Regards, DJH
