American 3in Projectile - T18, 1945

[oldshotandshell]

Does anybody have any more information on this 1945 dated American 3in projectile please? The following markings are stamped into the body just in front of the driving band, 'LOT -NT-1-1945-3IN-T18-PILOT-C-Flaming Bomb logo'. Length (without fuze) is 25cm. Thank you.

 

[HAZORD]

T numbered cases and projectiles are Test or Experimental. If an item is accepted for issue and larger production it receives a Model or "M" number. Pilot is very unusual and means it was part of a pilot lot of projectiles made to evaluate manufacturing processes and for testing for functionality. The ordnance bomb most likely designates it for Army use. If it were navy it would have an anchor and a Mark/Mod number.

The rotating band looks like a predecessor to the 76mm High Velocity gun rotating band design, used in the M41 tank or the 76.2mm Otto Malera gun.