PzGr40
24.06.2003, 22:46
One of the oldest cutaway models of my collection. The shell was used in the WW2 German Light Infantery Gun 18, a gun especially designed for infantery, airborne and mountain troops. It was designated Le.I.G 18 or LeGebIG18. The gun could be broken down into 6 to 10 parts , the most heavy part weighing 74,9 kg. As the thin drivingband shows, the gun uses low pressure, and its max. range is 3550 mtrs. at a Vo. of 210 m/s. Weight of the projectile is 5,45 kg. The shellcase is of the semifixed type , however before loading , the shell is most often pushed in the shellcase. The fuze used is the Le. Igr.Z 23.n.A. (Light Infantery shell fuze 23 new type) Functioning of fuze: The fuze consists of a upper and lower part. The upper part holds the centrifugal safety segments , that open upon centrifugal force (thereby releasing the firing pin), The firing cap block with the firing cap, the firing pin and the wooden hammer. The lower part holds the delay pellet and the gun powder pellet , as well as a collar weight ring. The delay pellet is set by turning the screw on the right 90 degrees for 0 or 0,15 sec delay. Turning the screw is in fact turning the slot in the back of the screw , thereby enabeling the shutter in the vertical channel to open or shut. If shut, the flame has to pass through the other (angled) channel, which has an 0,15 sec black powder delay pellet. The collar weight ring fits with its chamfered edge over the chamfered edge of the firing pin block. After firing it is held in place by the firing pin block, until the safety segments release the firing pin block. Centrifugal force now keeps the ring in the centerline of the fuze. At impact on the nose the firing pin is forced into the firing cap, either the firing pin block moves forward into the firing pin by means of the negative acceleration .If however the shell lands on its side or thumbles, the collar weihgt is swung outward, thereby pushing the firing pin block upward in the firing pin, thus igniting the gun powder pellet and the booster. A small red phosporos smokebox is placed in the bottom of the main charge , meant for spotting purposes.