US 76mm M339

[sgdbdr]

Hi,


Same nomenclature for two different projectiles

First in TM 43-0001-28 (Army Ammunition data sheets) 1979, 1987 :



Second from TM 9-1300-203 (Ammunition for antiaircraft, tank, antitank and field artillery weapons) 1960 :



Can somebody explain ?

Cheers,

S.

 

[pzjgr]

Same projectile, just differently shaped ballistic cap (windscreen)....

The cap is just a shaped, thin walled metal cap crimped in place for a more streamlined shape...

 

[HAZORD]

I'm inclined to think the first drawing is a mistake. Draftsman copied the windscreen from the WWII M61 and M62 AP-T projos.

 

[Eggburt1969]

There's a stinking error in that publication for the M339 76 mm AP-T and its been there for years and years. Well at least 1967, as it's the same in the publication 'TM 9-1300-203 - Artillery Ammunition'.

The page in question, from 'TM 43-0001-28 - Army Ammunition Data Sheets - Guns, Howitzers, Mortars, Rifles, Grenade Launchers & Fuzes', change 15 version from 2006.


And the statement is... 'The solid tungsten carbide projectile is fitted with a lightweight windshield to provide a better ballistic shape'.

Yeah, it's made of solid tungsten carbide, not! If you're going to fire that one with a normal weight propellant charge meant for a steel AP-T, can I please vacate the tank and the local area.

 

[MINENAZ16]

Picture of M339E1

 

[HAZORD]

Actually, both drawings are incorrect. The newer one shows the straight tapered windscreen, but with a flat tip, which it doesn't have, as seen in the photo that Sebastian has posted. The older drawing shows the radiused, steel, crimped-on ogive/windscreen of the old WWII M61 and M62 projectiles, which it also doesn't have.

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/43248-Identification-Tips?highlight=Walker+Bulldog

 

[sgdbdr]

I think one of the means to close the discussion would be this publication :

"Shell, Shot, M339 Metal Parts, 76mm, DM24-8-1000" June 55 quoted in the references section of "AMMUNITION COST RESEARCH STUDY" from June 76

Does someone has it or knows where to find it ?

S.

 

[Vasco Da Gama]

I thought to post a couple of pictures of the 1968 manufactured 76mm M339 projectile in my collection. For comparison it is pictured alongside a 75mm M338 projectile. My understanding is the 76mm was used with the Walker-Bulldog tank and the 75mm was fitted to the standard M18 case for the Sherman tank gun, happy to be corrected! I have never been sure as to when the M338 75mm projectile entered service, later part of WW2 or only post WW2.

 

[M8owner]

I have never seen any evidence of the 75mm M338 before these photographs. That is very interesting.