Fig. 11

This H.E. Shell has been found on various occasion after aerial combat between Messer-schmitt and French Aircraft.

Fig. 11

A threaded ring screwed inside (a) and (b) and acting as a connection between them.

At the upper part of the base a cannelure is formed which is probably for indenting the cartridge case.

The body of the shell is painted yellow as far as the cannelure, the part fitting inside the case being unpainted. It is filled with a pink-coloured explosive.

The shells recovered were fitted with either a fuze marked AZ. 1502 DWM. 11, or a fuze marked EKZ.dr.C/30.

Fuze EKZ.dr.C/30 is an instantaneous nose fitted on a tracer shell and carries inside it a brass tube which contains the tracer composition. This is mainly lead and manganese and is in the form of a white powder.

Fig. 11

This D.A. fuze screws into a ring carried in the head of the shell and is fixed with three punch marks.

The body is of steel coated with brass and the nose of the fuze is closed with a cover cap.

The arming system consists of a spiral spring rolled around two half rings, which retains the striker in position.

On firing the spiral spring unrolls under the effect of centrifugal force thus releasing the two half rings, which in turn free the striker. Both spring and half collar remain inside the fuze.

During flight "creep" action keeps the striker clear of the detonator. On impact the striker extension is driven in actuating the striker.