Post by JohnEakin on Sept 21, 2012 2:22:52 GMT 8
Fots - there were several details that I missed when I looked at the photo on my notebook (which I usually access the forum on). I have a 24" (or 609mm <G>) monitor on my desk and a few more things jumped out from the larger image. Just to be sure I plugged it in to the flatscreen TV last night - it was impressive, but didn't add much.
I doubt that we'll ever know for sure what type of projectiles there are, but let's see what we can agree on. How many of these do you (or anyone else) agree with?
1. That some rounds have lifting rings on the fuze plugs tells me that there are two different types of the same size projectile.
FWIW, in looking at modern 155mm projectiles on a number of web sites, it is quiet common for some rounds to have a lifting ring and others not to have a ring. *Generally* it seems that the rounds which weigh about 100 lbs or more have the ring and those which weigh less do not. Some of the lighter types seem to be illumination or smoke. The heavier ones are HE, AP and the like.
2. I'm nearly positive that the bump visible a few inches from the walls is the grommet covering the lifting ring. If you agree with this it would also account for the tapered shape both to the front and (to a lessor degree) to the rear as it is typical that projectiles with a rotating ring only touch the barrel lands in two places (the rotating ring and about 1/3 of the way aft from the tip). This also explains the way the layers are stepped back. It might also explain why they didn't stack them higher as they are back against the wall, now.
3. A round with both the charge and shell integrated with a brass case would have a rimmed base in order to headspace the round and I don't see any thing of the type. Actually, it looks more like a boat tail than a rim.
4. A round with a brass case would be damaged by being stored with significant weight on it.
5. Any one of the above features indicates to me that these are bagged charge rounds - which *usually* indicates a size of about 6 inches or larger.
6. I count five, possibly six layers of shells on each side.
I also agree that the rounds in the photo look longer than *most* of the modern 155mm rounds that I have seen online. BUT I'm not saying that there are not longer rounds such as the "cargo" rounds which might carry parachute flares or bomblets (which I've never heard of in connection with Corregidor). So far, I've been unable to find a photo of the round used with the 6 inch M1905 guns of Batteries Ramsey and Morrison. My problem with that explanation is that my understanding is that these batteries saw limited service because of their type and position and it is difficult to understand why all the effort would be expended to store ammunition for them.
I doubt that we'll ever know for sure what type of projectiles there are, but let's see what we can agree on. How many of these do you (or anyone else) agree with?
1. That some rounds have lifting rings on the fuze plugs tells me that there are two different types of the same size projectile.
FWIW, in looking at modern 155mm projectiles on a number of web sites, it is quiet common for some rounds to have a lifting ring and others not to have a ring. *Generally* it seems that the rounds which weigh about 100 lbs or more have the ring and those which weigh less do not. Some of the lighter types seem to be illumination or smoke. The heavier ones are HE, AP and the like.
2. I'm nearly positive that the bump visible a few inches from the walls is the grommet covering the lifting ring. If you agree with this it would also account for the tapered shape both to the front and (to a lessor degree) to the rear as it is typical that projectiles with a rotating ring only touch the barrel lands in two places (the rotating ring and about 1/3 of the way aft from the tip). This also explains the way the layers are stepped back. It might also explain why they didn't stack them higher as they are back against the wall, now.
3. A round with both the charge and shell integrated with a brass case would have a rimmed base in order to headspace the round and I don't see any thing of the type. Actually, it looks more like a boat tail than a rim.
4. A round with a brass case would be damaged by being stored with significant weight on it.
5. Any one of the above features indicates to me that these are bagged charge rounds - which *usually* indicates a size of about 6 inches or larger.
6. I count five, possibly six layers of shells on each side.
I also agree that the rounds in the photo look longer than *most* of the modern 155mm rounds that I have seen online. BUT I'm not saying that there are not longer rounds such as the "cargo" rounds which might carry parachute flares or bomblets (which I've never heard of in connection with Corregidor). So far, I've been unable to find a photo of the round used with the 6 inch M1905 guns of Batteries Ramsey and Morrison. My problem with that explanation is that my understanding is that these batteries saw limited service because of their type and position and it is difficult to understand why all the effort would be expended to store ammunition for them.