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Experimental 30mm GAU cartridge?

D

DEADLINE222

Well-Known Member
Could this be an early 30mm GAU projectile and case made by General Electric during the ammunition trials, prior to the decision to adapt plastic rotating bands?

I cannot see anything else even remotely close to it, anywhere.

The projectile is 82mm long without the fuze and 132mm long with the fuze.

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First, I don't think that's a fuze. It's just a plain turned metal plug. Second, I don't think it's an original cartridge. I have one just like it that I made in my shop using a dummy projectile and fired case.

But, I may be wrong. I usually am.

Ray
 
In the thread I mentioned above ( http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/70300-30x173-gua-87-a-markings ), take a close look at the cartridges in the photo posted by EODGUY, in particular the AMRON projectile in the second cartridge from the left. The profile is very similar to the one posted here, it has a flat tip and is a practice projectile so most likely has an aluminum nose/ false fuze (typical of practice cartridges). And it probably has a gilding metal driving band like the one shown above.
 
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First question: What does the headstamp and primer look like on the case?

It looks more like European lacquer coating on the case than anything else. The U.S. anodizes its aluminum cases in different colors, but they are flat not glossy. If it has a screw in primer and/or European markings you know where the case came from. Nothing definite on the projo but Gau-8 stuff was all about plastic rotating bands for barrel life and weight savings. Even the early Philco-Ford stuff had plastic bands.
 
There are no markings on the casing.

The casing is made of aluminum that is painted with an automotive finish quality, using a very fine metal flake like paint with a very heavy gloss coating.

The inside of the casing has a very, very faint light green tint to it.

The casing is 30x173mm. The primer pocket is not threaded and is 9mm in diameter.


Before I saw the image of the 30mm CPIC, the closest explanation came from the following PDF:

"Historic Development Summary of Automatic Cannon Caliber Ammunition: 20-30 Millimeter"

The following excerpt was taken from pages 27 and 28.

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