Question ref Ballast Rounds

[spotter]

I have some Ballast rounds that im considering refinishing/restoring
One set are 30mm Aden ballast rounds which i believe could be from 1957 due to the marking on the side WDC.57.BALLAST1. as you will see from the added photo they look rusty but that is just where i have removed the link which has rusted ,
the rounds are non metallic and i believe they are aluminium.The flaking Blue colour is in many layers due to repainting whilst in service ,when i cleaned back one to bare metal i found they had a first paint of white,my question is ...is the white just a primer coat or is that the original colour,,can anyone tell me and if possible show what the original paint finish looks like

Also i have some 27mm ballast rounds painted black ,again this is in several layers with i guess many years of repainting whilst in service .Again can anyone tell me and if possible show me what these would look like with good condition original paint

Thanks for looking
Allan

 

[magpie]

Don't know if this is of any use to you being made in 1972 but it has a weak gold anodised finish.
Andy.

 

[TonyE]

The ballast rounds I have seen that I believe to be original finish were bare metal. I think these are pot-metal rather than aluminium which I suspect is too light to give the correct weight.

Regards
TonyE

 

[Richard709]

Don't know if this is of any use to you being made in 1972 but it has a weak gold anodised finish.
Andy.View attachment 80166

Further to Andy's I have a 72 and some 56-57's all appear originally to have had an anodised finish, with lots still remaining. Any paint may have been applied by the Unit as a form of Unit identification.



Hope this helps, All the Best.
Richard

 

[oktato]

Hi,

Attached is from an obsolete manual.

The cartridge, 30mm, Aden Gun, Ballast MK 1 has the following identifying features:

A greenish appearance due to the application of an anti- corrosion surface treatment

The cartridge consists of a die cast zinc alloy body and a base plug

Hope this helps,

Gary

 

[spotter]

Thanks very much everyone with your replies with the extra information its much appreciated.
Tony ive just been and weighed one of the aden ballast rounds and it is 15.1 oz * note this was weighed on digital household cooking scales so there may be a very small amount of + -

thanks everyone
Allan