Twins a half a world away with different names UK and Jap Naval Guns

[HAZORD]

I mentioned these crossover rounds a few days ago on another post. Prior to WWII, the Japanese purchased various artillery pieces from the U.K. The Jap equivalent ammo was encountered in WWII, but the Jap ammo received different names.

So, the 2Pdr antiaircraft became the Jap Navy 40mm Vickers-Armstrong.

The 12Pdr became the Jap Navy 8cm 40 caliber.

And the 4.7 inch became the Jap 12cm 45 caliber.

Photos of Jap on the left and UK on the right. Also a couple of photos of multiple UK 12Pdr cases, and 8cm Jap cases.

The external primers are interchangeable Jap to UK for both the 12Pdr and 4.7 inch.

The fuzes are interchangeable between the Vickers projectiles, although the Jap fuze has a huge booster. Fuzes are right hand thread, and the Jap booster is right hand thread. Both projectiles have side screws to hold the fuze in. The only stamping on the Jap projectile is on the base.

 

[Alpini]

Thank you for showing. Anybody knows if this aluminium fuze on the Japanese shell was exported also to other countries than Japan?

 

[tigbrand]

Hi Alpini,the ally/brass fuze I think is a Vickers pattern.So would be available on export rounds. Pic attatched hopefully! shown in a Mk IV projectile dated 1932 and made at VAD.(photo courtesy of Buster)Tig:wink:

 

[Alpini]

yes, I ask because specimens of them (also VAD marked) were found in Germany and I guess the Germans did not have captured Japanese ammunition.

 

[HAZORD]

The Germans wouldn't have "captured" Jap ammunition because the two were allies. I believe the Japs were actually trying to use German ammo in one or two aircraft guns. Never heard of the Germans having Jap ammo though.