81-mm Parachute H.E. Mortar81-mm Parachute-Flare Mortar
Japanese Explosive Ordnance – Army Ammunition – Navy Ammunition
Chapter 4 – Section 3
ARMY MORTARS
81-mm Parachute H.E. Smoke Mortar
Weight complete round: No data.
Weight main charge: No data.
Explosive components: Main charge: Tetryl.
Over-all length: 21.87 inches.
Length of shell (less propellant container and nose plug): 19.1 inches.
Diameter of shell body: 1.5 inches.
Diameter of fins: 3.19 inches (81 mm).

Color: Unpainted galvanized iron with a yellow wooden nose and a green band around the body.

Description: This shell is similar to the H.E. round except that there is a smoke pellet in the bottom of the suspended cylinder. Above the smoke pellet are two pellets of tetryl with a black powder delay train running through the middle. As with the H.E. round, the line to the upper parachute is attached to a pull igniter and, if pulled before the self-des-troying feature operates, will detonate the charge.

Operation: The operation is similar to the H.E. round except that the expelling charge ignited the smoke-flare pellet, which burns about 53 seconds and which then ignites the short delay train which burns seven seconds before the self destroying element func-tions.

Figure 306 – 81-mm Parachute High-Explosive Smoke Mortar.

81-mm Parachute H.E. Mortar81-mm Parachute-Flare Mortar