German Flange GeschossA.P. "Sabot" Projectile for 75-mm GunCONTENTS
GERMAN EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE - PROJECTILES AND PROJECTILE FUZES
CHAPTER 5
GERMAN PROJECTILES
SABOT PROJECTILES

GENERAL. The German Army began work on the sabot type of projectile better than a year before the end of the war. Most their work was done at the Hillersleben Proving Ground. The projectiles of this type that were found at the proving ground were neither loaded nor fuzed. In may instances the projectiles were fitted with dummy fuzes and were ready for test firing. It is obvious from the collection of different kinds and types that an attempt was being made to achieve the most satisfactory and economical dis-carding sabot elements, and at the same time obtain a profitable increase in muzzle velo-city. Different methods of discarding or ejecting the sabot elements were tested, parti-cular attention being paid to the design of the contour or streamlining of the projectile in order to obtain better flight characteristics.

It was, in most instances, impossible to obtain the nomenclature of the projectiles, therefore the following illustrations will be identified by types A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, and J respectively and each type will have the caliber and subcaliber given.

DESCRIPTION. In Type A (see fig. 326A) the discarding bourelet element, divided into three pieces, is held in position by a soft iron band. This band is cut by the rifling of the projector, allowing the segments to fall free due to centrifugal action, after leaving the muzzle. The single piece discarding base element is held in position by three shear pins and is ejected by trapped gases in the base gas trap. The gases from the propellant powder enter the gas trap by a small hole (see fig. 326B) and are vontained therein until the projectile leaves the muzzle of the projector. Upon leaving the muzzle, the projectile is then subject to atmospheric pressure. Since the high pressure gas within in the trap cannot escape quickly enough through the small opening, the entire after sabot element is blown free, shearing the three pins.

Figure 326A – Sabot Projectile Type A

Figure 326B – Sabot Projectile Type A

In Type B (see fig. 327) the discarding bourrelet element of pressed steel is divided into three seperate segments held together in a groove in the bourrelet by soft iron wire. This retaining wire is cut by the refling of the projector, allowing the segements to fall free due to centrifugal action after leaving the muzzle. The single piece discarding base ele-ment is held in position by a single shear pin through the base of the projectile. Same type of gas pressure ejection as in type A.

Figure 327 – Sabot Projectile Type B

In Type C (see fig. 328) the discarding bourrelet element is a single piece of soft iron, par-tially divided to break into three segments by centrifugal force. The element is held in position by the nose cap which screws into the main body of the projectile. The single piece base element is held to the base of the projectile with four shear pins. This type also has the type of base gas pressure ejection as type "A".

Figure 328 – Sabot Projectile Type C

In Type D (see fig. 329) the discarding bourrelet element is a single piece of fibre material partially divided to break into four segments. The forward element is positioned on the body of the projectile by four wooden plugs extending through the element and into the body. These plugs are retained by soft wire bands which are cut by the rifling of the projector, allowing the segments to fall due to centrifugal action. The base element is divided into three segments which are held to the body by six steel pins. These seg-ments are held together by a single soft iron rotating band. Both the bourrelet and the base sabot elements are discarded by centrifugal action.

Figure 329 – Sabot Projectile Type D

In Type E (see fig. 330) the arrangement is the same as the type D except for the bourre-let discarding element. This forward element of pressed steel is partially divided to break into three segements and be discarded by centrifugal action. These segments are retai-ned by three steel balls located in holes in the body of the projectile and secured by set-screws.

Figure 330 – Sabot Projectile Type E

In Type F the bourrelet discarding element for type F (see fig. 331A) is the same as that for type E. The base discarding element for F–1, constructed by plywood with steel in-serts, is base gas pressure ejected the same as type A. In projectile F–2 the base ele-ment of fibre material is held in position by two small shear pins. The rotating band is an integral part of the base element on both of these projectile (see fig. 331B).

Figure 331A – Sabot Projectile Type F–1

Figure 331B – Sabot Projectile Type F–2

In Type G (see fig. 332) the discarding bourrelet element is of three sections fitting into a groove in the ballistic cap of the projectile and secured by four turns of iron wire. Method of discarding is the same as that discribed for type A. The three segments of the base element are positioned on the body by steel pins and secured by a single iron rota-ting band.

Figure 332 – Sabot Projectile Type G

In Type H (see fig. 333A) the discarding bourrelet element is divided into six separate pressed steel segments held together with copper wires. The copper wires are soldered together to form rings. An after discarding sabot element is effected by eight separate segments located on the body of the projectile above the boat tail. These segments, the details of which are shown in figure 333B, are locked in position by grooves and slots in the body of the projectile and secured by two turns of copper wire. Further obturation is effected by gaskets located off the rear element. Both of the sabot elements are freed by the rifling of the projector cutting the wire bindings. These segments are then discar-ded be centrifugal action.

Figure 333A – Sabot Projectile Type H

Figure 333B –Sabot Projectile Type H

In Type I the discarding bourrelet element is constructed of pressed steel and is in five separate segments. The segments are held together in grooves in the projectile by soft iron wire. The method of discarding is the same as in type A. There is no base discarding element.

In Type J (see fig. 334) the projectile is fitted in a light metal case welded to a base ele-ment. This case forms the bourellet and the base element forms the rotating band. After leaving the muzzle of the projector, the metal case is ejected by the resistance of the air.

Figure 334 – Sabot Projektile Type J

German Flange GeschossA.P. "Sabot" Projectile for 75-mm GunCONTENTS