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L16a1 ?

navyman

Well-Known Member
Hello all,
I recently bought a couple of these modern 51mm inert flare mortar projectiles. (Thanks again John). Can anyone show me a picture, section, or drawing of one of these. Do they have a cap similar to the 2" M illum para mortar round, and how do the internals work? I'm looking for spare parts to restore, replicate, or perhaps make a section for display?
Cheers,
navyman.
 

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They have a heavy head that is about 2" tall and white metal. I have a couple of the mortars but no spare tops I'm afraid. They usually turn up quite often on SA though, complete, for about 7-10 quid.
 
Missing part

See the attached picture for the shape of the item you seek.
Interestingly enough I have just been through all my Stoneliegh and Beltring pictures and all the illuminating Mortars are missing the top section !
If memory serves me correctly the Illuminating and Practice bombs share the same profile.
 

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51mm mortar

heres a couple of pics from my collection hope they help
regards
tom
 

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Here are my two illuminating, both have different tops. Sorry for bad mobile pic
 

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Thanks Tom,
The round third from left has the same fin configuration as mine, only difference is that mine is painted white. Any idea what the propellant cartridge looks like, I cant remove one yet as I will have to make a tool to remove it without damaging the screw on cap.
Cheers,
Guy.
 
Hello Rob,
Yes, the cases look exactly the same as mine. I guess the fuze unit is some sort of push fit as my cases have no internal threads and no crimp marks?
Thanks for your help,
Guy.
 
When the bomb is fired the propellant gases from the primary cartridge ignite the delay assembly compositions. These burn for approximately 11 seconds, igniting the fastcord, which in turn ignites the priming composition of the flare and the discs primed. Resultant gas pressure acts upon the baffle, moving it forward, thus breaking the nose/body joint and ejecting the nose from the body. Forward movement of the baffle is arrested by the stem reaching its fully extended position within the ignition tube. The expelled nose, moving ahead of the body, causes the drogue parachute to be deployed, withdrawing the cloth bag from the main parachute assembly. The main parachute deploys and withdraws the flare from the bomb. The flare is designed to give an average output of 135,000 candela for approximately 44 seconds.
 

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Last edited:
Hello Allan,
Thanks for the information and drawings. Yesterday was a bit chaotic so thats probably why I missed your posting. I had wondered how these worked and your post explains everything clearly.
Also thanks for your PM.
Cheers,
Guy.
 
My collection includes an almost full box of these L16A1 mortars, all but one have replica heads but I do have one spare replica head, drop me a PM and you can have it for the price of posting.
Due to downsizing I expect to be putting this lot on Quickfire in the near future.

51mm Mortar.jpg
 
navyman has not been on site since september last year but feel free to add your spares to the classifieds section someone else may be looking for them
 
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