“P-47 Canopies” from Pilot Training Manual for the Thunderbolt P-47, AAF Manual 50-5, Headquarters AAF. Top: The streamlined version used in combat affords 360 degrees of vision. Utilize every single degree in scanning the sky for an enemy. Bottom: The old-style “greenhouse,” used in training. While under this canopy, develop the “swivel-neck” that’ll prevent unpleasant surprises later.
New 1/35th Waffen SS figures from Alpine Miniatures. According to Alpine, the figures should be suitable for Panzer IV, StuG III, StuG IV, JgdPz. IV, or Hetzer.
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• No. 35133: 1/35th Waffen SS Panzer Crew at Kursk Figure #1 – MSRP $18.00 USD • No. 35134: 1/35th Waffen SS Panzer Crew at Kursk Figure #2 – MSRP $18.00 USD • No. 35135: 1/35th Waffen SS Panzer Crew at Kursk Set 2 Figures – MSRP $34.00 USD Figures include 2 different heads. Sculpted by Sang-Min Lee & Boxart Painted by Calvin Tan. |
Data pertaining to the 155-mm gun M2, the carriage M1 or M1A1, the 155-mm gun mount M13 (T14), and the limbers M2 and M5. All data from the WWII U.S. War Department Technical Manual TM 9-350: 155-mm Gun M2; Carriage M1 and M1A1, Gun Mount M13; Heavy Carriage Limber M2 and M5; and Firing Platform M1, May 1945.
TABULATED DATA.
a. Data pertaining to 155-mm gun M2.
(1) GENERAL.
Weight of gun (complete with breech mechanism) 9,595 lb Weight of tube assembly (barrel) 9,190 lb Length of tube 277.37 in. Length of bore cal. .45 Length of rifling 230.57 in. Powder pressure (normal pressure with maximum charge in a new gun) lb per square in 40,000 Type of breecblock Interrupted screw Weight of breech mechanism 405 lb Type of firing mechanism continuous pull percussion hammer (2) PERFORMANCE.
Muzzle velocity (average velocity with a new gun in feet per second): Shell AP (Maximum zone charge) 2,745 fps Shell HE (Maximum zone charge) 2,800 fps Range: (Maximum) AP Shell 24,075 yd HE Shell 25,715 yd Rate of fire: Normal round 1 (per 2 minutes)
Instructions for loading the 37-mm gun and carriage on railroad cars from the WWII technical manual TM 9-235 37-mm AA Gun Materiel, U.S. War Department, January, 1944.
LOADING MATERIEL ON RAILROAD CAR.
a. General. All loading and blocking instructions as specified herein are minimum, and are in accordance with the Association of American Railroads, “Rules Governing the Loading of Commodities on Open Top Cars,” special supplement, revised, 1, March 1943.
b. Instructions.
(1) INSPECTION. Railroad cars must be inspected to see that they are suitable to carry loads to destination. Floors must be sound and all loose nails or other projections not an integral part of the car should be removed.
(2) RAMPS. Permanent ramps should be used for loading the materiel when available, but when such ramps are not available, improvised ramps may be constructed of rail ties and other available lumber.
(3) HANDLING.
(a) Cars loaded in accordance with specifications given herein must not be handled in hump switching.
(b) Cars must not be cut off while in motion and must be coupled carefully, and all unnecessary shocks avoided.
(c) Cars must be placed in yards or sidings so that they will be subjected to as little handling as possible. Separate track or tracks, when available, must be designated at terminals, classifications, or receiving yards, for such cars, and cars must be coupled at all times during such holding and hand brakes set.
(4) PLACARDING. Materiel not moving in combat service must be placarded, “DO NOT HUMP.”
(5) CLEARING LIMITS. The height and width of load must be within the clearance limits of the railroads over which it is to be moved. Army and railroad officials must check all clearances prior to each move.
Operating instructions for the Bazooka in tropical and arctic climates from TM 9-294: 2.36-inch A.T. Rocket Launcher M1A1, War Department Technical Manual, Sept. 27, 1943.
Section X: OPERATION UNDER UNUSUAL CONDITIONS
32. GENERAL.
a. When operating under unusual conditions such as tropical or arctic climates, severe dust or sand conditions, and near salt water, it is essential that all the precautions listed below should be observed.
33. ARCTIC CLIMATES.
a. In temperatures below freezing, and particularly in arctic climates, all operating parts should he kept absolutely free of moisture. The bore of the launcher should be cleaned daily and oiled as described in paragraph 16. The batteries should be removed from the launcher and kept warm until just before firing. Carrying the batteries in inner pockets will keep them sufficiently warm. Immediately upon bringing indoors, the launcher should be cleaned on the outside and inside with a dry clean cloth. Remove the grips and clean and dry the contacts. After it has reached room temperature, clean and dry the launcher again, and oil the bore. Rockets should not be fired at temperatures below zero F.
34. TROPICAL CLIMATES.
a. Tropical Climates. In tropical climates where temperature and humidity are high, or where salt air is present, and during rainy seasons, the launcher should be thoroughly inspected and cleaned daily. The bore should be oiled a little more liberally than prescribed in paragraph 16. Wood parts should be inspected to see that swelling due to moisture does not bind working parts. If this does occur, shave off only enough wood to relieve binding. A light coat of OIL, linseed, raw, type A applied at least every month and well rubbed in with the heel of the hand, will help to keep moisture out. Allow oil to soak in for a few hours and then, wipe and polish the wood with a dry clean wiping cloth. Do not fire rockets at temperatures above 120 F.
NOTE: Care should be taken to see that linseed oil does not get onto electric contacts as it will gum when dry.
b. Hot Dry Climates. In hot dry climates, where sand and dust are apt to get into the bore, the launcher including the bore should be wiped clean daily or more often if necessary. Oiling of the bore should be done very sparingly and only in the event that atmospheric conditions cause rusting of the bore surface. In such climates, wood parts are apt to dry out and shrink, and a more frequent application of OIL, linseed, raw, type A, will help keep wood in condition. During sand or dust storms the breech and muzzle should be kept covered. Do not fire rockets at temperatures above 120 F.
The following report on the German StG 44 (Sturmgewehr 44) assault rifle was published in Foreign Military Weapons and Equipment, Vol. III, Infantry Weapons, Pamphlet No. 30-7-4, Department of the Army, 1954.
7.92-mm Submachine Gun MP-44
(STURMGEWEHR M44)
The German MP44 was developed in 1942 to provide an intermediate weapon between the rifle and the submachine gun. The standard 7.92-mm rifle cartridge was shortened and bottle-necked to take a 120-grain boattail bullet. With this cartridge the weapon provided better ballistic characteristics than those available with the standard German 9-mm submachine guns. It also had provisions for full automatic fire and thus a greater firepower capability.
Ease of mass production was achieved by the extensive use of steel stampings. The receiver, frame, gas cylinder, and barrel jacket are all made from stampings. The parts of the trigger mechanism are riveted in place; therefore, the trigger assembly cannot be disassembled, although a complete trigger mechanism can be quickly inserted into the weapon.
Despite its cheap construction, it is a very serviceable weapon. The various models of this weapon, including the MP43, MP43/1, and the MP44, were all designated the STURMGEWEHR 44 in 1944. They differ only in minor detail. Ballistically, they are identical.
This weapon can be recognized by: (1) The stamped receiver and barrel jacket; (2) the prominent front sight base; (3) the curved, stamped magazine; (4) the gas cylinder on top of the barrel; and (5) the short, bulky buttstock.
Large numbers of these weapons were captured by the Soviets during World War II, and many probably are still held in reserve stocks.
RECOGNITION FEATURES
The U.S. Navy had their own series of training posters called “Lubbers Don’t Live”. This poster stars Whistlin’ Joe who goes overboard with a swish.
Oh heed the fate of Whistlin’ Joe! // Forgot the life lines were so low. // Back home the WAC’s were his pet rave; // But he went overboard for a WAVE!
New 1/35th-scale plastic figure set is released by Dragon — Kit No. 6692: German Fighting Elite in the East.
Another “Don’t Be A Dope” training poster starring Joe Dope:
| When the Stukas begin to attack Ain’t the time to make up for a lack Of cleaning your gun – Which won’t shoot at a Hun With a month’s gummy dust on its back! CLEAN IT EVERY 3 DAYS Don’t be a dope! HANDLE EQUIPMENT RIGHT. |
Diagram of ammunition stowage in the M10 tank destroyer, from TM 9-731G: 3-Inch Gun Motor Carriage M10A1, War Department Technical Manual, July 1943.
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