Month: July 2010

Categories
German

3.7 Stielgranate 41: 3.7 cm Stick Grenade

3.7 Stielgranate 41: 3.7 cm Stick Grenade Hollow-Charge Antitank

This deadly device is a hollow charge finned bomb for use on the 37 mm German Pak. It is believed that this type of ammunition was developed for the purpose of making this obsolescent gun more effective for antitank use.

The stick bomb which is made of pressed steel has a steel rod which fits into the bore and a perforated sleeve which fits around the barrel of the gun. The hollow charge is at the rear of the steel cup (or cone) and consists of two blocks of TNT with cyclonite. A nose fuze of the instantaneous percussion type and an instantaneous tail fuze are used. The nose fuze is used for impact against armor and the tail fuze is for graze action. Both fuzes arm on setback. The propelling cartridge consists of a steel case and is charged with tubular stick powder, an igniting charge of granular powder, and a percussion type primer.

Twenty-nine of these grenades were tested at Aberdeen. One was statically detonated against the face of 7-inch homogeneous armor plate. It penetrated completely, leaving a hole 2 1/8 inches wide at the face and 1 1/8 inches at the rear. The other rounds were fired from a German 37 mm A.T. gun for which they were designed. Range was found to be 203 yards at 5° elevation and 857 yards at 25° elevation. Accuracy was hard to determine because of the inexperienced gun crew.

SPECIFICATIONS

Caliber of rod       37 mm
Weight of grenade as fired18 lb., 12 oz.
Weight of burster5 lb., 5 oz.
Weight of propelling cartridge1 lb., 6 oz.
Overall length of round 29 1/8 ins.
Diameter of projectile body6 1/4 ins.
Types of fuze 1—P. D. Instantaneous
2—B. D. Instantaneous
Average velocity350 f/s
Average pressure18,600 p.s.i.
Range
     5° elevation203 yds.
     25° elevation857 yds.

German: p. 306

Categories
German

7.92 mm Fallschirmjäger Gewehr 42 (F.G. 42): Automatic Rifle—Paratroop

7.92 mm Fallschirmjäger Gewehr FG-42 Automatic Rifle, Paratroop

The German Paratroop Rifle, F.G. 42, 7.92 mm (Fallschirmjäger Gewehr 42) is a gas-operated, magazine-fed, semi-automatic or full-automatic weapon. It was designed originally for paratroop use, but undoubtedly will find a wider use with ground troops. It can be employed as a submachine gun, a rifle, or a light machine gun as occasion indicates. The action design is very similar to that of the well-known Lewis light machine gun. The sear mechanism is designed to fire the gun semi-automatic from a closed bolt and full-automatic from an open bolt.

This weapon is unusual in construction and light in weight. The butt is made of stampings of 16 gauge sheet metal, ridged to prevent slipping and to add structural strength. The receiver is of high quality machining. The magazine opening is on the left side and the ejector opening on the right side. The trigger guard and pistol grip are stampings and the whole assembly is inclined at a 10° angle in order to give a comfortable grip to the firer. The hand guard is wood, with holes slotted in the upper side to facilitate cooling, and with milled ridges to prevent slipping in the grasp. The bipod is also a metal stamping and is hinged to the barrel collar. The bipod legs fold forward to form a protective housing for the bayonet underneath the barrel.

The 19-inch barrel is machined with 4 lands and grooves; there is no quick-change barrel feature to this weapon. A combination flash hider and compensator is affixed to the muzzle. The magazine is a removable box type holding 20 rounds. The gun may be operated either semi-automatic or full-automatic by use of a change lever which also acts as a safety lock.

SPECIFICATIONS

Caliber         7.92 mm (.312 in.)
Weight 10 3/4 lb. loaded
Length 35 1/2 ins.; with bayonet, 42 3/4 ins.
Length of barrel 19 ins.
Action Gas-operated, semi-automatic, or full-automatic
Capacity 20 rds.
Ammunition 7.92 mm Mauser, ground types
Rate of fire 600 rds./min. cyclic

German: p. 209

Categories
German

l. Pz. Sp. Wg. (Fu.) (Sd. Kfz. 223): Light Armored Scout Car

l. Pz. Sp. Wg. (Fu.) (Sd. Kfz. 223): Light Armored Scout CarGerman nomenclature: leichter Pan­zer­späh­wa­gen (Fu.) (Sd. Kfz. 223) mit Ein­heits­fahr­ge­stell I für schwerer Pan­zer­kraft­wa­gen.

English designation: Light armored scout car with standard chassis I for heavy armored car.

SPECIFICATIONS

Net weight         3,950 kg         8,707 lb.
Pay load 450 kg 193 lb.
Gross weight 4,400 kg 9,700 lb.
Weight: Front axle 1,650 kg 3,637 lb.
Weight: Rear axle 2,750 kg 6,062 lb.
Length (overall) 4,800 mm 15 ft., 9 ins.
Width (overall) 1,950 mm 6 ft., 5 ins.
Height (overall) 1,750 mm 5 ft., 9 ins.
Ground clearance 230 mm 9 ins.
Tread centers 1,610 mm 5 ft., 3 ins.
Wheelbase 2,800 mm 110 ins.
Wheel width 190 mm 7 1/2 ins.
Angle of approach   50°
Angle of departure   35°
Seating capacity
Fording depth 600 mm 23 ins.
Climbing ability   20°
Overturn gradient (lengthwise)   40°
Overturn gradient (crosswise)   30°
Turning radius 14 meters (front wheel) 46 ft., 4 ins.
  8 meters (all wheels) 26 ft., 3 ins.
Trailer load
Engine horsepower 75 c-v 74 hp
Piston displacement 3,500 cu cm 210 cu. ins.
Fuel tank capacity 110 liters 29 gal.
Highway fuel consumption   6.7 m.p.g.
Average terrain full consumption   4.3 m.p.g.

German: p. 74.62

Categories
German

l. Pz. Sp. Wg. (Sd. Kfz. 222): Light Armored Scout Car

l. Pz. Sp. Wg. (Sd. Kfz. 222): Light Armored Scout CarGerman nomenclature: leichter Pan­zer­späh­wa­gen (Sd. Kfz. 222) mit Ein­heits­fahr­gestell I für schwerer Pan­zer­kraft­wa­gen.

English designation: Light armored scout car with standard chassis I for heavy armored car.

SPECIFICATIONS

Net weight         3,750 kg         8,267 lb.
Pay load 1,050 kg 2,315 lb.
Gross weight 4,800 kg 10,582 lb.
Weight: Front axle 1,850 kg 4,078 lb.
Weight: Rear axle 2,950 kg 6,503 lb.
Length (overall) 4,800 mm 15 ft., 9 ins.
Width (overall) 1,950 mm 6 ft., 5 ins.
Height (overall) 2,000 mm 6 ft., 7 ins.
Ground clearance 230 mm 9 ins.
Tread centers 1,610 mm 5 ft., 3 ins.
Wheelbase 2,800 mm 110 ins.
Wheel width 190 mm 7 1/2 ins.
Angle of approach   50°
Angle of departure   35°
Seating capacity
Fording depth 600 mm 23 ins.
Climbing ability   20°
Overturn gradient (lengthwise)   40°
Overturn gradient (crosswise)   30°
Turning radius 14 meters (front wheels) 46 ft., 4 ins.
  8 meters (all wheels) 26 ft., 3 ins.
Engine horsepower 75 c-v 74 hp
Piston displacement 3,500 cu cm 210 cu. ins.
Fuel tank capacity 110 liters 29 gal.
Highway fuel consumption   6.5 m.p.g.
Average terrain fuel consumption   4 m.p.g.

German: p. 74.62

Categories
German

4 cm Flak 28 (Bofors): Antiaircraft Gun (Ex-Swedish)

4 cm Flak 28 (Bofors): Antiaircraft Gun (Ex-Swedish)

This gun, entirely of Bofors design, has been in service in Poland, Finland, and Norway, and, to a limited extent, in Sweden. A flash hider is screwed to the muzzle of the tube which is of forged alloy steel. The barrel is good for about 1,500 rounds, and may be changed very easily. The gun is fed by two four-round clips.

The automatic breechblock is of the vertical sliding type. A recuperator spring is assembled near the breech end of the tube. The hydrospring recoil system is housed in a cylinder underneath the recuperator spring, and is held in position by a supporting bracket secured to the breech casing.

Fire control equipment includes one elevation telescope, one azimuth telescope, a Le Prieur-Bofors ballistic corrector, sights, data receivers, and a fuze setter.

The elevating and traversing mechanism of this gun is hand-operated; firing is accomplished by a foot trigger on the lower left-hand side of the carriage.

The four-wheeled mount, which is standard for all calibers of antiaircraft gun up to 10.5 cm, is extremely maneuverable over all kinds of roads and terrain. Construction is simple and, with an experienced crew, the gun can be put in or taken out of action in approximately 30 seconds.

SPECIFICATIONS

Caliber 4 cm (1.57 ins.)
Weight (travelling position)         3,800 lbs.
Weight (firing position) 3,800 lbs.
Length (travelling position) 23 ft.
Length of tube 7.8 ft. (60 cals.)
Width (overall) 5 ft., 10 ins.
Height (travelling position) 6 ft., 8 ins.
Height (firing posltion) 3 ft., 9 ins. (mounted flush)
Rate of fire 120 to 180 r.p.m.
Muzzle velocity (A.P. shell) 2,780 f.s.
Range (maximum)
     Horizontal 9,846 yds.
     Vertical 7,330 yds.
Elevation 90°
Depression -5°
Traverse 360°
Ammunition H.E. shell tracer effect Bofors (u);
Incendiary H.E. shell tracer effect
Wt. of projectile Magazine clip with 4 rds—4.6 lbs.

German: p. 129

Categories
German

4.7 cm Pak (t) (Skoda): Antitank Gun (Ex-Czech)

4.7 cm Pak (t) Skoda: Antitank Gun (Ex-Czech)

The 4.7 cm Skoda semi-automatic, antitank gun is now apparently obsolescent.

The tube, of monobloc construction, is threaded to take a single baffled muzzle brake and flash hider; the rear is screwed on to the breech ring. The gun recoils on vertical slides riveted to the piece. The breechblock is of the vertical sliding wedge type. The piece is cocked automatically when the breechblock is opened, but provision for cocking by hand is also made.

The recoil mechanism, housed in a cylinder above the piece, consists of a spring recuperator and a buffer cylinder containing water and glycerine.

The top carriage which pivots in traverse on the lower carriage consists of a circular steel base housing machined to hold the trunnion seats for the cradle. The traversing mechanism consists of a handwheel, flexible joint, worm and worm wheel. A grip handle acts as a separate clutch for disengaging the free traverse. The elevating mechanism has a handwheel, beveled gears, flexible joints, shaft, worm and worm wheel.

The carriage has split trails of welded steel construction spread to an angle of about 52° for firing support. In traveling position, they are locked to the axle, and the piece which is rotated through an angle of 180° rests over the trail legs. The wooden-spoked wheels are fitted with steel rims and mechanical brakes which are operated by a hand lever.

The shield is rectangular with a double curve on the top and a cut-away portion for the wheels on either side. It is constructed of a thin 5 mm sheet of armor and has a rectangular sighting aperture on the left-hand side.

SPECIFICATIONS

Caliber         47 mm (1.85 ins.)
Weight (complete) 800 lb. (approx).
Length (overall), (travelling position) 162 ins.
Length of tube 6.25 ft.
Breech mechanism Vertical sliding wedge; semi-auto.
Firing mechanism Inertia
Recoil mechanism Hydro-spring
Rifling 20 lands and grooves; R.H. twist
Muzzle velocity (A.P.) Wt. 3.6 lb.—2540 f/s
Elevation 30°
Depression -4°
Traverse 45° scaled—360° free
Ammunition H.E.; A.P. (Uncapped)
Penetration

A.P. shot against homogeneous armor
Range Thickness of armor in inches
Yards   30°   Normal
300           2.3         3.0
500   2.2 2.8
700   2.0 2.6
1000   1.8 2.4

German: p. 127

Categories
German

l. Pz. Sp. Wg. (Sd. Kfz. 221): Light Armored Scout Car

l. Pz. Sp. Wg. (Sd. Kfz. 221): Light Armored Scout Car
German nomenclature: leichter Pan­zer­späh­wagen (Sd. Kfz. 221) mit Einheits­fahr­gestell I für schwerer Pan­zer­kraft­wagen.

English designation: Light armored scout car with standard chassis I for heavy armored car.

SPECIFICATIONS

Net weight         3,750 kg         8,267 lb.
Pay load
Gross weight 4,000 kg 8,818 lb.
Weight: Front axle 1,500 kg 3,307 lb.
Weight: Rear axle 2,500 kg 5,512 lb.
Length (overall) 4,800 mm 15 ft., 9 ins.
Width (overall) 1,950 mm 6 ft., 5 ins.
Height (overall) 1,700 mm 5 ft., 7 ins.
Ground clearance
Tread centers 1,610 mm 5 ft., 3 ins.
Wheelbase 2,800 mm 110 ins.
Wheel width 190 mm 7 1/2 ins.
Angle of approach   50°
Angle of departure   35°
Seating capacity
Fording depth 600 mm 23 ins.
Climbing ability   22°
Overturn gradient (lengthwise)   40°
Overturn gradient (crosswise)   30°
Turning radius 15/8 meters 49 ft., 2 ins./26 ft., 3 ins.
Trailer load
Engine horsepower
Piston displacement
Fuel tank capacity 110 liters 29 gal.
Highway fuel consumption   7.1 m.p.g.
Average terrain fuel consumption   4.3 m.p.g.

German: p. 74.61

Categories
German

s. gl. gp. Pkw. (Sd. Kfz. 247): Heavy Cross-Country Armored Personnel Car

Pkw. Sd. Kfz. 247 Heavy Cross-Country Armored Personnel CarGerman nomenclature: schwerer ge­län­de­gän­gig ge­panzerte Personen­kraft­wa­gen (Sd. Kfz. 247) mit Einheits­fahr­gestell II für schwerer Panzer­kraft­wa­gen.

English designation: Heavy cross-coun­try armored personnel car with stan­dard chassis II for heavy armored car.

SPECIFICATIONS

Net weight         3,700 kg         8,157 lb.
Pay load 760 kg 1,675 lb.
Gross weight 4,460 kg 9,832 lb.
Weight: Front axle 2,260 kg 4,982 lb.
Weight: Rear axle 2,200 kg 4,850 lb.
Length (overall) 5,000 mm 16 ft., 5 ins.
Width (overall) 2,000 mm 6 ft., 7 ins.
Height (overall) 1,800 mm 5 ft., 11 ins.
Ground clearance 230 mm 9 ins.
Tread centers 1,640 mm 5 ft., 4 ins.
  1,640 mm 5 ft., 4 ins.
Wheelbase 3,000 mm 118 ins.
Wheel width
Angle of approach   50°
Angle of departure   35°
Seating capacity   6
Fording depth 500 mm 20 ins.
Climbing ability   21°
Overturn gradient (lengthwise)   40°
Overturn gradient (crosswise)   35°
Turning radius 13.50/9 meters 44 ft., 3 ins./29 ft., 6 ins.
Trailer load
Engine horsepower 75 c-v 74 hp
Piston displacement 3,500 cu cm 210 cu. ins.
Fuel tank capacity 160 liters 42.2 gal.
Highway fuel consumption   6.7 m.p.g.
Average terrain fuel consumption   4.3 m.p.g.

German: p. 74.61

Categories
German

s. gl. gp. Pkw. (Sd. Kfz. 247): Heavy Cross-Country Armored Personnel Car

s. gl. gp. Pkw. (Sd. Kfz. 247): Heavy Cross-Country Armored Personnel CarGerman nomenclature: schwerer ge­län­de­gän­gig ge­panzerte Personen­kraft­wa­gen (Sd. Kfz. 247) mit Fahr­gestell des leichter geländegängiger Last­kraft­wa­gen (o).

English designation: Heavy cross-country armored personnel car with special chassis of the light cross-country truck.

SPECIFICATIONS

Net weight         4,600 kg         10,194 lb.
Pay load 600 kg 1,269 lb.
Gross weight 5,200 kg 11,463 lb.
Weight: Front axle 1,400 kg 3,086 lb.
Weight: Rear axle 1,900 kg 4,188 lb.
Length (overall) 4,600 mm 15 ft., 1 in.
Width (overall) 1,960 mm 6 ft., 5 ins.
Height (overall) 1,700 mm 5 ft., 7 ins.
Ground clearance 240 mm 9 1/2 ins.
Tread centers 1,580 mm 5 ft., 2 ins.
  1,565 mm 5 ft., 1 in.
  1,565 mm 5 ft., 1 in.
Wheelbase 2,445/900 mm 96/35 ins.
Wheel width 190 mm 71 ins.
Angle of approach 50°
Angle of departure 40°
Seating capacity 6
Fording depth 600 mm 23 ins.
Climbing ability 20°
Overturn gradient (lengthwise) 50°
Overturn gradient (crosswise) 35°
Turning radius 16 meters 52 ft., 6 ins.
Trailer load 1,000 kg 2,205 lb.
Engine horsepower 65 c-v 64.1 hp
Piston displacement 3,500 cu cm 210 cu. ins.
Fuel tank capacity 110 liters 29 gal.
Highway fuel, consumption 7.8 m.p.g.
Average terrain fuel consumption 4.7 m.p.g.

German: p. 74.60

Categories
German

Fu. Kw. (Kfz. 14): Radio Car

Radio Car Kfz 14 German nomenclature: Funk­kraft­wagen (Kfz. 14) mit Fahr­gestell des mittleren Pan­zer­kraft­wagen (o).

English designation: Radio car with special chassis of the medium armored car.

SPECIFICATIONS

Net weight         1,900 kg         4,188 lb.
Pay load 350 kg 772 lb.
Gross weight 2,250 kg 4,960 lb.
Weight: Front axle 900 kg 1,984 lb.
Weight: Rear axle 1,350 kg 2,975 lb.
Length (overall) 4,200 mm 13 ft., 9 ins.
Width (overall) 1,700 mm 5 ft., 7 ins.
Height (overall) 1,500 mm 4 ft., 11 ins.
Ground clearance 180 mm 7 1/8 ins.
Tread centers 1,430 mm 4 ft., 8 ins.
Wheelbase 2,840 mm 112 ins.
Wheel width 170 mm 6 3/4 ins.
Angle of approach   55°
Angle of departure   35°
Seating capacity 500 mm 20 ins.
Fording depth
Climbing ability   15°
Overturn gradient (lengthwise)   50°
Overturn gradient (crosswise)   30°
Turning radius 15 meters 49 ft., 2 ins.
Trailer load
Engine horsepower 60 c-v 59.2 hp
Piston displacement 3,000 cu cm 180 cu. ins.
Fuel tank capacity 70 liters 18.5 gal.
Highway fuel consumption   9.4 m.p.g.
Average terrain fuel consumption   6.7 m.p.g.

German: p. 74.60