Tony Williams
02.08.2002, 04:59
I am trying to track down the different types of MK 108 shells adopted for service (excluding practice types) and would appreciate help.
The basic 330g M-Geschoss Ausf.A, with the blunt nose and round base (around 85g filling) and the 330g Ausf.C, with the streamlined nose and flat base with tracer (around 72-75g filling) are well known.
I understand that there was also a 330g incendiary ("M" Brandgranatpatrone), similar to the Ausf.A but with 97 gram filling. Was this much used?
One report describes a 330g shell with a 140g filling, but I simply can't believe that unless the filling material was extremely dense and heavy. Is there any truth in this?
I have an Unterluss report which describes two heavy shells which were approved for service:
470g Minenbrandgranatpatrone, loaded with 70g HA.41 plus 6g incendiary (muzzle velocity 440 m/s)
440g Brandgranatpatrone mit Leuchtspur, fitted with the AZ 9501 hydrostatic fuze, for use against fuel tanks. The document says this was for the MK 103, but as the velocity quoted is only 450 m/s, it is more likely for the MK 108.
I presume that the two heavy shells had thicker walls than the usual M-Geschoss (like the 2cm 117g Brandgranatpatrone and 104g M.44 with hydrostatic fuze) in order to penetrate more deeply, to reach bomber fuel tanks.
Can anyone provide definitive information about these loadings? Thanks for any help.
Tony Williams
Military gun and ammunition website: http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk
Discussion forum at: http://forums.delphiforums.com/autogun/messages/
The basic 330g M-Geschoss Ausf.A, with the blunt nose and round base (around 85g filling) and the 330g Ausf.C, with the streamlined nose and flat base with tracer (around 72-75g filling) are well known.
I understand that there was also a 330g incendiary ("M" Brandgranatpatrone), similar to the Ausf.A but with 97 gram filling. Was this much used?
One report describes a 330g shell with a 140g filling, but I simply can't believe that unless the filling material was extremely dense and heavy. Is there any truth in this?
I have an Unterluss report which describes two heavy shells which were approved for service:
470g Minenbrandgranatpatrone, loaded with 70g HA.41 plus 6g incendiary (muzzle velocity 440 m/s)
440g Brandgranatpatrone mit Leuchtspur, fitted with the AZ 9501 hydrostatic fuze, for use against fuel tanks. The document says this was for the MK 103, but as the velocity quoted is only 450 m/s, it is more likely for the MK 108.
I presume that the two heavy shells had thicker walls than the usual M-Geschoss (like the 2cm 117g Brandgranatpatrone and 104g M.44 with hydrostatic fuze) in order to penetrate more deeply, to reach bomber fuel tanks.
Can anyone provide definitive information about these loadings? Thanks for any help.
Tony Williams
Military gun and ammunition website: http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk
Discussion forum at: http://forums.delphiforums.com/autogun/messages/