Vought O2U Corsair

Vought O2U-4 Corsair

Introduction

The Vought O2U Corsair was a biplane scout and observation aircraft that entered service in the mid-1920’s. It was powered by a 400hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp, and featured a steel-tube fuselage structure, with a wooden wing and a fabric cover. Many of them were seaplanes or amphibious aircraft.

The name Corsair was reused by Vought for their F4U fighter in 1938, and also for the LTV A-7 Corsair II attack bomber in 1963.

Development

In 1925, the US Navy issued specifications for a new observation aircraft. The Chance-Vought Corporation submitted plans, and two prototypes were ordered in 1926 to be tested by the Naval Trial Board before the first production batches were ordered. The aircraft, nicknamed Corsair, was the first service aircraft designed around the Pratt & Whitney Wasp engine – the first reliable air-cooled radial to match power with the water-cooled Liberty and Curtiss Hispano engines. In 1927, 291 O2U’s were produced. In 1928, minor changes resulted in the O2U-2, O2U-3, and O2U-4. By 1930, the O2U’s were superseded by O3U’s, which were basically the same as an O2U-4 but with a Grumman-made float. O3U’s were manufactured until 1936, with a total of 289 built. Many of them had an engine cowling, and some had enclosed cockpits.

When the 600-690hp Pratt & Whitney R-1690-42 Hornet was used, the designation was changed again to Su-1 through Su-4. The designation was changed to reflect the aircrafts main role as a scout. A total of 289 aircraft with the Su designation were built.

Corsair over Cavite, Philippines, 1930

Operational History

The Corsair was one of the most useful and versatile military aircraft ever produced. It was all that was desired by the Navy, and more. It set four world altitude and speed records, which gave it attention from foreign nations. In 1928, during the Nicaraguan campaign, Marine Corsairs were the first aircraft to ever conduct unsupported attacks against fortified positions, attacking 1500 rebels with light bombs and low-level strafing. Also during this campaign, Lt. Frank Schilt, USMC, won a Medal of Honor while flying a Corsair. It lasted in service for a long time - over 141 Corsairs were in service with the United States Navy and Marine Core when the United States entered World War II.

Many Corsairs were exported, with different designations. Argentina received V-65F’s, V-66F’s, and V-80Fp’s. V-80P’s went to Peru, V-85G’s went to Germany, Japan received the variants V-65C and V-92C, and Brazil received V-65B’s and V-65F’s, along with some hydroplanes designated V-66B’s.

In March of 1929, Mexico purchased twelve armed aircraft, designated O2U-2M and powered with 400hp Wasps, for the purpose of subduing a military coup. Mexico also built 31 aircraft under license and called them Corsairios Azcarate O2U-4A. In 1937, Mexico purchased ten V-99M’s with 550hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340-T1H-1 Wasps. Some may have been sent over to Spain.

China bought 42 export versions of the O2U-1 from 1929-33, and 21 export versions of the O3U between 1933-4. These aircraft were used extensively for bombing. The O2U-1’s flew during the Central Plains War and the January 28 Incident, while the O3U’s participated in the Battle of Pingxingguan, and over Shanghai.

In 1924, Peru purchased two Vought OSU’s, designated UO-1A. In 1929, they purchased twelve O2U-1’s for use as trainers. However, they did see action against APRA rebels and against Columbian ships and air assets during the Columbia-Peru War. None were lost to enemy fire, but several were lost to accidents.

Variants

O2U-1: 2 prototypes, 130 production aircraft. Interchangeable wheel/float landing gear. 28 aircraft for other customers. Powered with a 450hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340-88 Wasp.

O2U-2: 37 built; increased upper span, wing refinements, and larger rudder. Pratt & Whitney R-1340-B.

O2U-2M: O2U-2’s built for Mexico.

O2U-3: 110 built; revised wing rigging and redesigned tail surfaces. Pratt & Whitney R-1340-C.

O2U-3SD: O2U-3’s built for Santo Domingo.

O2U-4: 43 built (1 export, 7 civilian); similar to O2U-3 but with changed equipment.

O3U-1: 29 built; strengthened airframe. Pratt & Whitney R-1690 Hornet.

O3U-3: 76 built. Pratt & Whitney R-1340-12 Wasp.

O3U-4: 65 built. Pratt & Whitney R-1535.

XO3U-5: Test aircraft with a Pratt & Whitney R-1535

XO3U-6: Test aircraft – converted O3U-3 with NACA cowling and enclosed cockpits.

O3U-6: 32 built, 16 with Pratt & Whitney R-1340-12 Wasp, and 16 with Pratt & Whitney R-1340-18 Wasp.

SU-1: 28 built; scout version of the O3U-2.

SU-2: 53 built; scout version of the O3U-4.

SU-3: 20 built; SU-2 variant with low-pressure tires.

XSU-4: SU-2 converted as a prototype SU-4 with a 600hp R-1690-42 engine.

SU-4: 41 built; R-1690-2 engine.

V-65B: 36 built; export for Brazil.

V-65C: Export for Nationalist China.

V-65F: Export for Argentina.

V-66B: Export for Brazil.

V-66E: One aircraft evaluated by the RAF.

V-66F: Export for Brazil and Argentina.

V-80F: Export for Argentina.

V-80P: Export for Peru.

V-85G: Export for Germany.

V-92C: Export for Nationalist China.

V-93S: Export of the O3U-6 for Thailand.

V-99M: Export for Mexico.

TNCA Corsairo Axcarate: 31 built; O2U-4A’s built under license in Mexico.

AXV1: Single O2U supplied to the Imperial Japanese Navy for evaluation in 1929.

Corsair in the Royal Thai Air Force Museum

Specifications

SU-4

Crew: 2

Length: 27ft 5.5in

Height: 11ft 4in

Wingspan: 36ft

Wing Area: 337 sq ft

Empty Weight: 3,312lb

Max Weight: 4,765lb

Powerplant: 1x 600hp Pratt & Whitney R-1690-42 Hornet radial engine

Max Speed: 167mpg @ sea level

Range: 680 miles

Ceiling: 18,600ft

Armament: 1x .30cal Browning machine gun, fixed forward; 2x .30cal Browning machine guns, flexible in rear cockpit

Sources:

http://www.aviastar.org/air/usa/vought_o2u.php

http://www.voughtaircraft.com/heritage/products/html/o2u.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vought_O2U_Corsair

Polikarpov U-2

A Polikarpov U-2 in a Museum in Dresden, Germany

Introduction

The Polikarpov U-2/Po-2 was a general purpose Soviet biplane. The Soviets nicknamed the craft Kukuruznik – maize duster or corn cutter. The NATO reporting name was Mule. It was a simple, reliable, and low-cost aircraft, and used in the military for ground attack, reconnaissance, psychological warfare, and liaison. It is the second most produced aircraft, and the most produced biplane, in the history of aviation. Over 40,000 of them were built between 1928 and 1953 – being in production for a longer period than any other Soviet made aircraft.

Development

The U-2 was designed by Nikolai Polikarpov in 1927 to replace the U-1 trainer aircraft, which was a license copy of the Avro 504. Its name was changed to Po-2 in 1944 after the death of Polikarpov, according the new Soviet system of naming with the designers initials.

The prototype, designated U-2PK, was powered by a 99hp Shvetsov M-11 air-cooled, five cylinder radial engine, flying on June 24, 1927 with test pilot M. M. Gromov at the controls. The prototype had been built for easy repair and maintenance, with the wings made of four identical rectangular panels with square wingtips, and common control surfaces. It showed very poor flight characteristics. After a series of modifications, the second prototype flew on January 7, 1928. It was an immediate success. Pre-production aircraft were tested at the end of the year, with production starting in 1929 at Factory Nr 23 in Leningrad. Production in the Soviet Union ended in 1953, but Polish license produced aircraft were still in production until 1959.

Design

The U-2 had a composite skeleton covered with fabric. Most variants did not have an engine cowling. Both the pilot and passenger had a windscreen, and a few models had enclosed cabins. All of the wings had ailerons connected by cables, and the tips of the lower wings had skids for protection should the undercarriage fail. The wings were staggered in layout, of single bay construction with rounded tips, and had a single set of bracing struts. The undercarriage was a conventional cross-axle gear. The rudder was tall and with a broad chord, and linked to the cockpit via control cables.

Operational History

From its beginnings, the U-2 became the basic Soviet civil and military trainer, mass produced in a “Red Flyer” factory near Moscow. It was also used as a light transport, and for liaison due to its short take-off and landing. It was produced as an agricultural aircraft, which earned it its nickname.

Though outclassed by its contemporaries, the U-2 served extensively on the Eastern Front during WWII, mainly as a liaison, medical evacuation, and general supply. It was very useful for supplying Soviet partisans behind the front lines. Due to its low cost and easy maintenance, it had a production run of over 40,000. Even after its production in the USSR, many were assembled in Aeroflot repair workshops.

The U-2/Po-2 saw operation in Albania, Bulgaria, the Peoples Republic of China, Czechoslovakia, Finland (captured aircraft), France, Germany (captured aircraft), East Germany, Hungary, Mongolia, North Korea, Poland, Romania, the Soviet Union, Turkey, and Yugoslavia.

A U-2 which was forced down in Ukraine and captured by the Germans.

Armed Use

The first trials of the U-2 with bombs took place in 1941. During the defense of Odessa in September 1941, U-2’s were used as a reconnaissance aircraft, and a light bomber. From 1942, it was adapted as a light night ground attack aircraft. Nikolai Polikarpov was supportive of the project, and, under his leadership, a variant specifically adapted for that purpose was produced – the U-2VS (VS stood for Voyoskovaya Seriya – Military Series). It was a light bomber, holding bombs in bomb carriers beneath the lower wings, being able to hold a total of 350 kg. It was also armed with ShKAS or DA machine guns in the observer’s cockpit.

German troops nicknamed the U-2 Nähmaschine, or sewing machine, for its rattling sound. Finnish troops called it the Hermosaha, or nerve saw, because of the effects of night raids. As the axis became aware of the threat, they gave special instructions to their night fighter pilots for engaging the U-2’s, giving it the derogatory term of Rusfaner, or Russian Plywood.

Though the material effects of the U-2’s night raids were insignificant, the psychological effects on the German troops were significant. They usually attacked in the dead of night to prevent the Germans from sleeping, and to further the high stress level on the Eastern Front. The U-2’s would fly a few feet from the ground on their way to the target, and then climb up on their final approach. The engine would be cut off on the attack run, so that the targeted troops would only hear an eerie whistle of the bracing wires.

It was found that the U-2 was extremely hard to shoot down with night fighters for three main reasons: first, it could take enormous amounts of damage and keep flying; second, the Russian pilots flew at treetop level in the dead of night – a very dangerous position; third, the stall speed of the German aircraft were about the same as the U-2’s maximum cruise speed, only allowing a short time to target.

A U-2 LNB in the Polish Aviation Museum

The most famous user of the U-2 was the 588^th Night Bomber Regiment, composed entirely of women – including the ground crews. They were the best known operators, flying low-altitude night raids many times a night – one crew flying 18 such missions one night. What helped with the psychological effects was the fact that the Germans knew that their oppressors were female. This led to the name of Night Witches (German, Nachtexen; Russian, Nočnye Ved’my).

The Germans did attempt to quell the fearsome raids by bringing many searchlights and anti-aircraft guns around probable targets. To counter this, the Russians would fly in formations of three; two of the aircraft would fly in first to draw off the searchlights and flak while the third aircraft would attack. Then the formation would reform, and they would do it again.

The 588^th earned several Hero of the Soviet Union citations, and many Order of the Red Banner medals. By the end of the war, most of the surviving pilots had flown almost 1,000 combat missions.

Korean War

During the Korean War, the North Koreans used the Po-2 in a similar fashion as the Russians did in World War II. A significant number of Po-2’s were used by the Korean Peoples Air Force, who caused much damage on night raids against the UN. UN soldiers named them “Bed-check Charlie”. The UN also had the same problems as the Germans, with great difficulty shooting down the Po-2’s. Even though night fighters of the 50’s had RADAR as a standard, the wood and fabric construction of the Po-2 provided a minimal radar echo, making it extremely difficult to track a target. On June 16, 1953, a USMC AD-4 Skyraider from VMC-1, piloted by Major George H. Linnemeier and CWO Vernon S. Kramer, shot down a Po-2, achieving the only documented Skyraider aerial kill of the Korean War. One F-94 Starfire was lost while trying to slow to intercept a Po-2.

Variants

U-2: Basic model, built in large numbers as two-seat primary trainer, but had many different civil and military versions including light transport, utility, recon, training. Powered by M-11 radial piston engine, 100hp. Later models had up-rated M-11’s boasting 150hp. Some had rear closed cabins, and others fitted with sledges or floats. Redesignated Po-2 after 1944.

U-2A: Two-seat agricultural crop duster, powered by 115hp M-11K radial. Redesignated Po-2A after 1944.

U-2AO: Two seat agricultural aircraft.

U-2AP: Agricultural aircraft with rear cab replaced with a container to carry 200-250kg of chemicals. 1,235 built 1930-40.

U-2G: Experimental aircraft with all controls linked to control column. 1 built.

U-2KL: Two aircraft fitted with bulged canopy over rear cabin.

U-2LSh: Two-seat ground-attack, close-support aircraft. Armed with single 7.62mm ShKAS gun in rear cockpit; could carry up to 120kg bombs and four RS-82 rockets. Also known as U-2VOM-1.

U-2LPL: Experimental prone-pilot research aircraft.

U-2M: Floatplane version fitted with large central float and two small stabilizing floats. Not built in large numbers. Also MU-2.

U-2P: Floatplane version, limited numbers, several variants with different designations.

U-2S: Air Ambulance version, built from 1934. Could take physician and injured on stretcher in rear fuselage, under cover. Variant U-2S-1, from 1939, had raised fuselage top upon stretcher. From 1941, also used two containers for stretchers which could be fitted over lower wings, or two containers for two seating injured each, fitted under lower wings.

U-2SS: Air Ambulance.

U-2ShS: Staff Liaison version, built from 1943. Had wider fuselage and closed 4-place rear cab.

U-2SP: Civil transport, could carry two passengers in open individual cabs, built from 1933. Other roles included aerial survey, aerial photography. 861 built between 1934 and 1939.

U-2SPL: Limousine version fitted with rear cabin for two passengers.

U-2UT: Two-seat trainer, powered by 115hp M-11D radial. Limited numbers.

U-2LNB: Soviet Air Force night attack version, built from 1942. Armed with one 7.62mm ShKAS, and up to 250kg of bombs under the wings. Earlier aircraft converted to improvised bombers from 1941.

U-2VS: Two-seat training and utility. Redesignated Po-2VS after 1944.

U-2NAK: Two seat night artillery observation and recon aircraft. Built from 1943.

U-3: Improved flying training model, fitted with 200hp M-48 engine.

U-4: Cleaned up version with slimmer fuselage. Not built in large numbers.

Po-2GN: “Voice from the sky” propaganda aircraft, fitted with loud speaker.

Po-2L: Limousine version with enclosed passenger cabin.

Po-2P: Post-war floatplane version. Small numbers.

Po-2S: Post-war Ambulance variant, closed rear cabin.

Po-2S-1: Post-war ambulance version, similar to pre-war U-2S.

Po-2S-2: post-war ambulance, powered by M-11D.

Po-2S-3: Post-war ambulance, two underwing containers, each designed to transport one stretcher patient. Also known as Po-2SKF.

Po-2ShS: Staff communications aircraft, fitted with enclosed cabin for pilot and two to three passengers.

Po-2SP: Post-war aerial photography, geographic survey aircraft.

RV-23: Floatplane version of U-2 built in 1937. Used in number of seaplane altitude record attempts. Powered by 710hp Wright R-1820-F3 Cyclone radial.

CSS-13: Polish license version, built in Poland in WSK-Okęcie and WSK-Mielec after WWII. About 500 built, 1948-1956.

CSS S-13: Polish ambulance version, closed rear cab and cockpit and Townend ring. 53 built in WSK-Okęcie, 1954-55, plus 38 converted.

E-23: Research version, built in Soviet Union in 1934 for research in inverted flight.

Specifications

Polikarpov U-2

Crew: 1 Pilot/Instructor, 1 Passenger/Student

Length: 26ft 10in

Height: 10ft 2in

Wingspan: 37ft 5in

Wing Area: 357 sq ft

Empty Weight: 1,698lb

Loaded Weight: 2,271lb

Useful Load: 573lb

Max Takeoff Weight: 2,976lb

Powerplant: 1x 125hp Shvetsov M-11D 5-cylinder radial engine

Maximum Speed: 94mph

Range: 391 miles

Ceiling: 9,843ft

Armament (U-2VS, U-2LNB): 1x 7.62mm ShKAS machine gun in rear cockpit; up to 350kg of bombs

Sources:

http://www.wwiivehicles.com/ussr/aircraft/bomber/polikarpov-u-2-po-2.asp

http://www.aviastar.org/air/russia/pol_po-2.php

http://www.aircraftaces.com/polikarpov-2.htm

http://www.century-of-flight.net/Aviation%20history/photo_albums/timeline/ww2/2/Polikarpov%20U%202%20Po%202.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polikarpov_Po-2

To Try Something New...

Hello to all,

After my last post, I couldn't come up with a really good topic to post on, which leads me to try a different approach. Rather than go with different topics for each post, I'll go in phases. For example, I'll post five to ten posts of just ships, then go with just firearms, etc and so on.

So since my specialty is aircraft, I'll start with that!

Thanks for reading.

Fusō Class Battleship

The Yamashiro, Fusō, and Haruna

Introduction

The Fusō-class battleships were two battleships that served in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War I. The class displaced 29,330 tons upon completion, making the two ships, Fusō and Yamashiro, the first super-dreadnoughts of the Imperial Japanese Navy. At the time of Fusō’s launching (in 1914), it outclassed any battleship in the Royal Navy or United States Navy in both speed and firepower.

Background

The design of the Fusō class battleship was caused by an international race for superiority of naval forces, and also due to Japanese naval planners who wished to maintain a fleet of first-class vessels that were powerful enough to defeat the United States Navy in a fight in Japanese territorial waters.

Japan’s fleet of battleships had been highly successful in 1905, the last year of the Russo-Japanese War, with final decisive blow which caused the annihilation of the Russian Baltic Fleet in the Battle of Tsushima. Japan immediately looked towards her two remaining rivals for the vast Pacific – the Royal Navy and the United States Navy. Satō Tetsutarō, a Japanese Admiral and military theorist, believed that it was inevitable that a conflict would arise between at least one of the two and Japan. He called for the IJN to maintain a fleet with at least 70% the amount of capital ships as the USN. This, he believed, would enable the IJN to defeat the USN in a decisive battle. To that end, a 1907 Imperial Defense Policy called for the construction of eight modern battleships, 20,000 long tons each, and eight modern cruisers, 18,000 long tons each. This was the beginnings of the Eight-Eight Fleet Program – a development program to produce a cohesive battle line of sixteen first-class vessels.

The launch of the HMS Dreadnought in 1906 by the Royal Navy complicated the Japanese plan. Displacing 17,900 tons and armed with ten 12in guns, the Dreadnought outclassed any other battleship in the world at that time. In 1907, the battlecruiser HMS Invincible was launched, which further complicated the Japanese plans. When Japan launched her two new Satsuma class battleships and two Tsukuba class cruisers, they were already outclassed by the British ships. This caused the Japanese to restart the Eight-Eight Fleet Program.

The first ships built for the restarted program were two battleships of the Kawachi class, ordered in 1907 and laid down in 1908. In 1910 the IJN requested the Diet of Japan (similar to Parliament) to secure funding for the entire Eight-Eight Fleet Program. Due to economic restraints, the Navy Ministry cut the plan down to seven battleships and three cruisers. Then the plan was cut once more by the cabinet, and the Eight-Eight Fleet Program became the Japanese Emergency Expansion bill, which authorized the construction of four cruisers (which became the Kongō class), and one battleship (which became the Fusō).

The Fusō and Yamashiro off of the Japanese coast.

Design

The Fusō class Battleship was based heavily on the design of the Kongo class Cruiser, which was considered a battleship equivalent. After their coordination on the Kongo class, the Japanese had access to the latest British project studies in naval architecture. So as to outdo foreign designs, Japanese planners decided that the new battleship should be armed with twelve 14in guns. Vickers files shows that the Japanese actually had access to British designs for double and triple turrets; however, the Japanese decided to build a ship with six double turrets, as opposed to four triple turrets. The final design, designated A-64 by the IJN, called for a 29,000 long ton displacement and twelve 14in guns in six double turrets – two forward, two aft, and two amidships. The design also called for a top speed of 23 knots. It was superior to any United States counterpart in the elements of armor, armament, and speed. This followed the Japanese doctrine of compensating for quantity with superior quality.

Specifications

Primary Armament

The primary armament of the Fusō class was twelve 14in cannon. Each gun was about 54 feet in length, and weight 85 long tons. The shells used varied during the lifetime of the class. During World War I, Armor-Piercing Type 3 shells were used, each weighing 1,400lbs. In 1925, APC Type 5 shells replaced the Type 3’s, while APC No.6/Type 88 shells replaced these in 1928. During World War II, APC Type 91 shells were used. These weighed 1,485lbs and fired at a muzzle velocity of 2,543 feet per second.

The main guns were mounted in six double turrets, each weighing 615 long tons. Originally the turrets had an elevation capability of -5/+20 degrees. This configuration outclassed all contemporaries of its day, which were armed with either ten 14in or eight 15in guns. However, the location of the third and fourth turrets proved problematic with the design of the class. They were mounted amidships along the centerline, separated by the funnel. This gave them very restricted arcs of fire, and the internal layout of the ships was affected by their location. The shell rooms for each turret had to be separate, which decreased the available space for other machinery, while it also caused trouble with the armor.

The main battery underwent various modifications during the career of the ships. In the first reconstruction, the elevation of the main guns was increased to -5/+43 degrees, giving a maximum range of 20.14 miles. Also the recoil mechanism was changed from a hydraulic to a pneumatic system, which allowed for faster firing.

Secondary Armament

Originally the Fusō class had a secondary armament of sixteen 6in guns, four 3in guns, and six 21in torpedo tubes below the waterline. The 6in guns were mounted in single casemates on the upper deck of the hull, eight guns to a side. They had a horizontal rotation of 130 degrees, and a maximum vertical elevation of +15 degrees. They fired 100lb High Explosive projectiles up to 13.05 miles at about four to six rounds per minute. During the classes reconstruction, the 6in guns maximum elevation was increased to +30 degrees, with the range increasing about 0.56 miles. While the same 6in guns mounted on other Japanese ships were considered to be dual purpose, the restricted elevation on the Fusō class ships made them unsuitable as anti-aircraft weapons.

The 3in guns on the two Fusō class battleships were in single mounts on either side of the forward and aft superstructures, either side of the second funnel, and two other unspecified locations. These guns had a vertical elevation of +75 degrees, and could fire a 13lb projectile vertically at 1500mph, with a maximum ceiling of 24,600ft.

The configuration of the secondary armament changed several times. During the main modernization in the early 1930’s, the two foremost 6in guns were deleted, while all of the 3in guns were replaced with 5in dual-purpose weapons. These weapons could fire High Explosive Anti-Aircraft shells, Shiki Sankaiden (Beehive) incendiary shells, illumination shells, and training shells.

The light anti-aircraft armament of the class changed drastically between 1933 and 1944. During the first reconstruction, the Fusō was fitted with four 13.2mm machine-guns, while the Yamashiro was fitted with eight 25mm twin-mounted automatic cannon. The 13.2mm guns were based on the French Hotchkiss machine-gun, and was a relatively inadequate design. The 25mm AA guns were soon mounted on Fusō in single, double, and triple mounts. They were the standard Japanese light anti-aircraft gun during WWII, but had several problems in the design, making them relatively ineffective. They did not have enough flexibility of movement when in double or triple mounts, were not able to handle fast moving targets, had too much vibration, too small of a magazine, and extreme muzzle blast. The configuration of the 25mm guns notably varied, and by the end of the 1930’s reconstruction, the Fusō class carried eight twin mounts. In 1943, an additional seventeen single and two twin mounts were added for a total of 37 guns. In August of 1944, both ships were given another twenty-three single, six twin, and eight triple mounts to bring the total up to ninety-five anti-aircraft guns.

The Fusō in 1933, running at full speed after her first reconstruction.

Armor

When the Fusō class was completed, its armor was normal for its time. It weighed 8,588 long tons, which was about 29% of its total displacement. The main armor belt was 12in thick, while the underwater belt was between 4in and 6in. The class’s horizontal armor was light for its time, ranging between 1.3in and 2in. The turret’s armor was 12in on the face, 8in on the sides, and 4.5in on the roof. The barbettes on the turrets had 8.1in of armor, and the casemates of the 6in guns were covered in 6in of armor. The conning tower was very strong, utilizing variations of Krupp Cemented Armor up to 13.8in thick in some places.

During the reconstruction of the class, the armor was significantly upgraded. The horizontal armor was increased to a maximum thickness of 3.9in, while another .67in was added aft of the conning tower. Torpedo bulges were added to compensate for the extra weight caused by the extra armor (and also to add underwater protection), resulting in an increase in the beam to 14.5ft. A three inch longitudinal bulkhead was also added to improve underwater protection, along with extra plates covering the original hull. Four inches of plating was added to protect the magazines and machinery. All of this additional armor brought the total armor tonnage to 12,199 long tons, about 31% of the ships total displacement. Despite all of these improvements, the class still could not withstand 14in shells.

Propulsion

When it was constructed, the Fusō’s machinery produced more power than its contemporaries which focused on more armor at the cost of speed. During trials, the ships machinery could produce 40,000 shaft horsepower, which gave the class a maximum speed of 22.5 to 23 knots.

The two Fusō class ships were powered by eight double-ended and sixteen single-ended Miyahara-type boilers, which consumed a mixture of coal and oil, and there were also two sets of Brown-Curtis turbines. The original capacity was 4,000 long tons of coal and 1,000 long tons of oil, which gave the ships an 8,000 nautical mile radius of action.

During the modernization of the ships, the Miyahara boilers were replaced with six Kammpon oil-fired boilers, while the Brown-Curtis turbines were replaced with four Kammpon turbines. This change in machinery allowed for an output of 75,000 to 76,889 shaft horsepower, enabled a maximum speed of 25 knots, and allowed for an 11,800 nautical mile radius of action.

Ships

There were only two Fusō class ships built, both completed from 1912 to 1917. The first, the Fusō, was constructed at the Kure Naval Arsenal, while the second, Yamashiro, was built at the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal. Two advanced versions of the class had been planned, but their final design differed so much from the original class that they were redesignated as the Ise class.

The Fusō is considered the first modern battleship of the Imperial Japanese Navy. When it was completed in 1915, it outclassed all United States Navy counterparts of the New York class in firepower and speed. It was regarded as the best armed battleship in the entire world.

Both ships were extensively modernized during the 1930’s, but were still obsolete at the outbreak of World War II. Due to this fact, both ships were kept near the home waters in the early years of the war, being used as training and transport ships. After Japan lost most of its carrier fleet in 1943, it was proposed to convert both ships into hybrid battleship/carriers. The process was to begin in June 1943, but the plan was cancelled when the two Ise class battleships were converted instead.

The Yamashiro in 1934, after her reconstruction.

Fusō

The Fusō was laid down by the Kure Kaigun Koshō on March 11, 1912, and was launched on March 28, 1914. It was completed on November 18, 1915. One difference between the Fusō and Yamashiro was that the C-turret on Fusō featured an aircraft catapult, while that of the Yamashiro was located on the stern.

The launching of the Fusō.

It saw no major action during WWI, and had its major modifications between the two World Wars. Even though it was extensively modified, it was still too slow and lightly armored to be of any great use, and both ships of the class were kept in the Inland Sea as a reserve force at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack. It did see action before too long.

The Fusō helped in the unsuccessful pursuit of the American task force that launched the Doolittle Raid in April of 1942. It also was a screen for the Aleutian Force during the Battle of Midway in June of that year. It also was able to rescue 353 survivors of the Mutsu when that ship exploded at Hashirajima on June 8, 1943. She also took part in the reinforcement of Truk in August 1943, and the reinforcement of Biak in June 1944. It was planned to convert the Fusō into an aircraft carrier, but this idea went to pieces after the loss of pilots in the Mariana’s.

 In October of 1944, while under the command of Rear Admiral Ban Masami, the Fusō was a part of Admiral Shōji Nishimura’s Southern Force during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. During the Battle of Surigao Strait on October 25, 1944, the Fusō was hit by one or two torpedoes fired by the destroyer USS Melvin, and caught fire, forcing her to leave the action. It has been argued, however, that rather than exploding and breaking in half shortly after this, it merely rolled over and sank with severe loss of life.

It is probable that the Fusō was the largest vessel of any nationality sunk with all hands during World War II. There is evidence that a few survivors were rescued by the destroyer Asagumo, which was sunk as well a short time thereafter. Some of the sailors may have made it ashore, only to be killed by Filipinos. In any event, the Fusō was removed from the Navy List on August 31, 1945.

A line drawing of the Fusō as she appeared in 1944.

Yamashiro

The Yamashiro was laid down in the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal on November 20, 1913, launched November 3, 1915, and commissioned on March 31, 1917. It was the first Japanese vessel to ever be equipped with aircraft catapults. It was named Yamashiro after the Japanese province where Kyoto is located.

After serving most of World War II in territorial waters, it took place in the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October of 1944. During the Battle of Surigao Strait on October 25, she was attacked and sunk by the US Navy, receiving four torpedoes from destroyers and numerous 14” and 16” shells from US Battleships. There were about ten survivors.

A line drawing of the Yamashiro, as she appeared in 1944.

Sources:

Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuso_class_battleship

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_battleship_Fus%C5%8D

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_battleship_Yamashiro

World Naval Ships

http://www.worldnavalships.com/fuso.htm

World War II Database

     http://ww2db.com/ship_spec.php?ship_id=468

Webley Revolver

Introduction

The Webley Revolver (also known as the Webley Break-Top Revolver or the Webley Self-Extracting Revolver) was a standard issue pistol for the armed forces of the United Kingdom, British Empire, and the Commonwealths between 1887 and 1963.

The Webley is a top-break revolver with automatic extraction – meaning that when the revolver is broken open for reloading, the extractor ejects the spent cartridge casings. The Mk I was adopted in 1887, while the Mk IV was used during the Boer War of 1899-1902. Perhaps the best known model is the Mk VI, which was introduced in 1915.

The Webley fires a rather large .455 Webley cartridge, making it among the most powerful top-break revolvers ever produced. Although the .455 caliber Webley is no longer used by any military, the .38/200 Webley Mk IV is still used as a police sidearm in several countries.

Design

The British company Webley & Son (Webley & Scott since 1897) have produced several different revolvers from the mid-1800’s to the late 1900’s. Some of the earlier models, like the Webley Green army model 1879 or the Webley-Pryse model, were first made during the 1870’s. However, the best known models are a range of military revolvers which were in service during two World Wars and several colonial conflicts.

All Webley top-break revolvers had a two-piece frame, which breaks down at the forward low end for ejection and reloading. The ejector was automatically activated when the frame was broken open, which simultaneously ejected the spent cartridges from the cylinder. Then the new cartridges were inserted by hand or with a speed loader. In case of the revolvers being rechambered for .45 ACP ammunition, half-moon clips were used to load the gun (two clips, three rounds each). All Webley’s were either double action or double action only, with a distinguishable shape of the barrel and frame lock, with the lock lever on the left side of the frame, and a v-shaped lock spring on the right side.

History

In 1887, the British Army was trying to replace the Enfield Mk I and Mk II revolvers. Webley & Scott, which was already a well known manufacturer of good quality guns and had sold many pistols commercially to both military and civilian’s, made the .455 caliber Webley Self-Extracting Revolver for this purpose. The military was greatly impressed (it was seen as a vast improvement over the Enfield, which did not have a practical extraction system), and was adopted on November 8, 1887 as the “Pistol, Webley, Mk I”. The contract which followed called for 10,000 Webley revolvers at the price of £3/1/1 each, and at least 2,000 pistols to be supplied within eight months. These pistols were chambered for the .455 British Service cartridge, which launched a heavy 18 gram lead bullet at the relatively slow muzzle velocity of 600 feet per second. Later a smokeless version of this cartridge was adopted, but the gain in velocity was negligible.

The Webley Mk I

Over the course of time, the Webley Revolver went through many changes, which finally ended with the Mk VI, produced between 1915 and 1923. The large .455 caliber revolvers were retired in 1947, but the Mk IV .38/200 remained in service until 1963. Several commercial versions were sold to civilians, and some similar designs (such as the Webley-Government and Webley-Wilkinson) which were not officially adopted for service, were purchased privately by military officers.

The Webley Mk VI

Webley Mk VI cylinder

An opened Webley

Webley Mk IV .38/200 Service Revolver

The Webley Mk IV .38/200

After World War I, the British Military decided that a .455 caliber pistol and cartridge was too large for a modern military. After many tests and trials, it was decided that a .38 caliber pistol with a 200 grain bullet (0.457 oz) was just as effective as a .455 caliber pistol.  Webley & Scott immediately made the .38/200 caliber Webley Mk IV revolver (not to be confused with the regular Webley Mk IV revolver), which was almost identical in appearance to the Webley Mk VI. Much to Webley & Scott’s surprise, the British government took the design to the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield Lock, and produced a revolver which was very similar externally to the .38/200 Webley Mk IV, but internally different enough so that no parts could be interchangeable between the two. This Enfield pistol was accepted into the military under the designation of “Revolver, No.2 Mk I”, and adopted in 1932. This was followed in 1938 by the Mk I*, which featured a spurless hammer and only was double action. Finally, in 1942, the Mk I** was introduced, which was a simplified version for wartime production.

Webley & Scott sued the British government over this incident, claiming £2250 as the ‘costs involved in research and design’ of the revolver. RSAF Enfield firmly stated that the Enfield No. 2 Mk I was designed by Captain Boys (the Assistant Superintendant of Design, who designed the Boys Anti-Tank Rifle) with the assistance of Webley & Scott. Webley & Scott’s claim was denied, but the Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors eventually awarded Webley & Scott £1250 for their work.

Interestingly enough, RSAF Enfield proved to be unable to manufacture enough revolvers during World War II, and as a result the Webley Mk IV was adopted as the standard sidearm for the British Army.

Operational History

Boer War

The Webley Mk IV (.455 Webley caliber), which was introduced in 1899, soon became known as the “Boer War Model”, since large numbers of officers and non-com’s purchased them on their way to fight. In this war, the Webley served alongside a number of other pistols, including the Mauser C96 “Broomhandle”, early Beaumont-Adam’s cartridge revolvers, and several other top-break revolvers.

World War I

The Webley Mk V (adopted December 9, 1913) was the standard issue pistol at the outbreak of World War I, but more Mk IV’s were in service then because the order for 20,000 Mk V’s had not been completed before the outbreak of War.

On May 24, 1915, the Webley Mk VI was adopted as the standard sidearm for British and Commonwealth troops, and remained so for the duration of the war. It was issued to officers, airmen, naval crews, boarding parties, trench raiders, machine-gun teams, and tank crews – everyone except for the standard infantryman. The Mk VI proved to be a rather reliable and resilient weapon, and was well suited for the conditions of trench warfare. Several accessories were developed for the Mk VI, including a bayonet (which was made from a converted French Gras bayonet), a speedloader, and a stock (so that it could be used as a carbine).

World War II

During World War II, the official service pistol was the Enfield No. 2 Mk I .38/200 caliber revolver. Due to a critical shortage of handguns, several other weapons were adopted (at first only practically, late officially). For this reason, both the .38/200 Webley Mk IV and Webley Mk VI (.455 caliber) were issued to personnel during World War II.

The Webley Mk VI

Post-War

The .38/200 Webley Mk IV and .455 Webley Mk VI were still issued to British and Commonwealth forces after World War II – extensive stockpiles of revolvers were in military stores. There was a critical lack of ammunition for the type, however, which was what kept Enfield’s and Webley’s in use for so long – they were not wearing out due to lack of use.

Eventually, the .38/200 Mk IV was replaced by the Browning Hi-Power, this being complete in 1963, after it saw use in Korea, the Suez Crisis, the Malayan Emergency, and the Rhodesian Bush War.

Police Use

The Hong Kong Police and the Royal Singaporean Police were issued Webley Mk III and .38/200 Webley Mk IV revolvers from the 1930’s onwards. Singaporean Webley’s were equipped with a safety catch, which was not on the original design. These countries Webley’s were gradually retired during the 1970’s as they came in for repair, and were replaced with the Smith & Wesson Model 10 .38 revolver. The London Metropolitan Police and many other colonial police units are also known to have used Webley’s until just after WWII.

The Ordnance Factory Board of Inida still manufactures .380 Revolver Mk IIz cartridges, as well as a .32 caliber revolver with a 2-inch barrel that is clearly based on the .38/200 Webley Mk IV service pistol, thus the legacy is still continued today.

A box of WWII vintage .380in Mk IIz cartridges

.455 caliber Webley ammunition

Specifications

Weight: 2.4lb’s

Length: 11.25in

Caliber: .455

Cartridge: .455 Webley Mk II

Action: Double Action Revolver

Feed System: 6 round cylinder

Muzzle Velocity: 620 feet per second

Effective Range: 50 yards

Sights: Fixed front blade and a rear notch

Sources:

www.justguns.com

www.wikipedia.org

www.world.guns.ru

Lebel Model 1886

Lebel Model 1886 Rifle

Introduction

The Lebel Model 1886 rifle (in French, Fusil Modele 1886 dit “Fusil Lebel”), or the Fusil Mle 1886 M93 (after a bolt modification added in 1893), is an 8mm bolt-action infantry rifle that entered service with the French Army in April of 1887. It is a repeating rifle which is capable of holding eight rounds in its tube magazine, plus another round in the transporter and another in the chamber. The Lebel has the distinction of being the first military rifle to make use of smokeless powder ammunition. It also was the first to introduce the ‘boat-tail’ bullet as standard ammunition in 1901. The rifle has an oversized bolt with front locking lugs, and a massive receiver. It is a durable design, and capable of effective long-range performance. Despite its obsolete features, such as a tube magazine, and the sharply tapered case of 8mm ammunition, it still remained as the standard French infantry weapon during all of World War I. Altogether, 2,880,000 Lebel’s were produced by three French manufacturers between 1887 and 1920.

Operation, Features, and Accessories

The Lebel Model 1886 has a turn-bolt action with a two-piece bolt that has dual opposed front locking lugs. In operation, the bolt is turned up into the vertical until the two locking lugs are released from the receiver. A mechanical lift introduces a new cartridge in line with the chamber, and the closing of the bolt moves it into the firing chamber, while another cartridge is introduced onto the lift mechanism via the magazine spring.

Lebel Model 1886 Breech

The Lebel features a two-piece wood stock, and has a spring-loaded tube magazine in the fore end. Aiming at intermediate distances is done with a ramp sight, which graduates between 400 and 800 meters (1312-2624.5 feet). When brought up, the ladder rear sight is adjustable from 850-2400 meters (2788.75-7874 feet). Flipping forward, it reveals the more commonly used sight, which goes up to 400 meters (1312 feet).

The Lebel has no safety. The tube magazine is found under the barrel, and holds eight cartridges, charged rearwards via a pressure spring. Another cartridge can be held in the transporter, and another in the chamber, giving the Lebel a total capacity of 10 rounds. The rifle features a magazine cutoff on the right side of the receiver, and when activated it prevents the magazine from feeding cartridges.

The Mle 1886 was first developed at MAC (Manufacture d'armes de Châtellerault), and was also manufactured at State MAS and MAT until 1920. A private concern, Manufacture d’Armes de Paris also contributed smaller parts during World War I. The number manufactured until 1920 numbers some 2,880,000. The rifle was a sturdy and accurate weapon, and was the basic French infantry rifle during WWI. It remained in partial service throughout 1940, though it was outclassed in many cases.

An add-on to the Lebel Model 1886 was a long needle-like epee bayonet, the Épée-Baïonnette Modèle 1886. With a v-shaped cross section, this weapon was optimized for thrusting, and designed to penetrate thick clothing and leather. It was dubbed “Rosalie” by French soldiers during WWI. It proved to be very effective for both stabbing and thrusting, and was frequently cut down by individuals and ordnance sections into a stiletto-type thrusting knife for use in trench warfare during WWI.

Origins and Development

The Lebel was developed as a direct result of the invention of smokeless gunpowder. French chemist Paul Vielle’s nitrocellulose-based Poudre B (Powder B) was three times more powerful than the same amount of black powder, and left very little combustion residues after firing. Also, Switzerlands Major Eduard Rubin invented a copper jacketed, lead core, small bore bullet in 1883, which could be fired at tremendous velocities without melting inside of a rifles barrel.

Shortly after these developments, the French War Minister, General Boulanger, requested in January of 1886 for an urgent application of these designs into a new infantry rifle. He appointed General Tramond to take charge of the project within less than a year. It was decided to redesign the Gras cartridge case into a new 8mm case, and this transformation was carried out by Captain Desaleux. Most of the new mechanical details were designed by Controllers Albert Close and Louis Verdin at the Chatellerault arsenal. The 8mm full metal jacket flat nosed projectile (Balle M) was responsible for the formulation and construction of the new rifle. Colonel Lebel protested during his lifetime that Colonel Gras had more of the responsibility for creating the rifle, but despite his efforts, Lebel’s name went to the Balle M as Balle Lebel, and eventually stuck to the entire weapon system.

The Lebel Model 1886 followed the bolt action 11mm Mle 1874 Gras and Mle 1878 French Naval Kropatschek rifle designed by the Austrian Alfred von Kropatschek. It shared the latters tubeular magazine in the fore end. Two other rifles had followed these designs, still using the 11mm Gras cartridge – the Mle 1884 and Mle 1885. Over 20,000 Mle 1884’s had been issued when it was decided to adopt the Lebel.

In 1893, an improved version of the Lebel, designated Fusil Mle 1886 M (modifie) 93, was produced. The main changes included the bolt head being modified for a better venting of the gasses that could escape accidentally from a ruptured cartridge head, while the fixation of the rear sight onto the barrel was improved. The firing pin and rear knob were not improved, since they had already been modified earlier in 1888.

The Lebel Model 1886 was manufactured by three government arsenals: Chatellerault, St-Etienne and Tulle. The Tulle arsenal continued producing Lebel’s during World War I, and closed the last assembly line in May of 1920. They did continue to re-barrel and repair Lebel’s until the late 1930’s.

Between 1935 and 1940, a carbine-length version was issued, designated Mle 1886 M93-R35. It was designed mainly for use by mounted troops and support personnel. This was built in large numbers at Tulle, beginning in 1935. It was made up entirely of Lebel parts, with the exception of the shorter barrel. However, the magazine had to be shortened due to a shorter fore end, and the resulting rifle only held three rounds in the magazine, one in the transporter, and one in the chamber.

The total number of Lebel’s built between 1887 and 1920 exceeds 2.8 million. Chatellerault alone manufactured 906,760. The machinery used to produce Lebel’s was purchased from the British firm of Greenwood and Batley, while other specialized machinery was purchased from the United States in 1886 to accelerate and make standard mass production. All Lebel parts are fully interchangeable regardless of the place and time of manufacture. All of the key parts have the same serial number, with the exception of the many Lebel’s that underwent arsenal repairs or rebuildings during World War I and into the 1930’s.

The Lebel Model 1886 proved to be a reliable and sturdy rifle, and easily serviceable. However, it became outdated very quickly by the leaps and bounds in rifle and ammunition design. As early as 1888, the Germans had introduced a turn-bolt magazine rifle with a spring-loaded box magazine – the Gewehr 88 or “Commission” rifle. It was designed around the first rimless military cartridges using smokeless powder. It was followed ten years later by the Gewehr 98.

In response to being left behind in military rifle designs, the French decided to replace the Lebel and its cartridge with more efficient and modern designs. While the Berthier rifle was introduced in 1907 as a stop-gap, the French secretly planned to get far ahead in technology by introducing a semi-automatic rifle. Thus came the Meunier rifle, or Fusil A6, which utilized a 7x59mm rimless cartridge. It was adopted in 1912, but its manufacture, scheduled to begin in 1913, was postponed because of rumors of war with Germany. To re-equip the entire army with these rifles would have required a change in ammunition type, and at least 500,000 rifles. Instead, during World War I, the French chose an easier solution of adopting a gas-operated semi-automatic rifle which used Lebel parts – the Fusil Model 1917 RSC, which was of 8mm caliber. It was manufactured in large numbers during 1918, and issued to select soldiers of frontline infantry regiments. However, it required constant attention in the muddy trenches, and was criticized by the infantry as being too heavy, too long, and too difficult to maintain. It also needed a special five-round clip for operation. In the end, the Lebel remained in service with the French Army until 1940.

8mm Lebel Cartridge

Balle D 8mm Lebel ammunition

The Lebel 8x50R smokeless powder cartridge combined with the longer and flatter trajectory of the advances in infantry armament made a deadly combination. A soldier with a Lebel could outrange anyone armed with a black powder, large-caliber rifle. At longer ranges, he could be virtually invisible with his smokeless ammunition. Also, more cartridges could be carried for the same standard weight as those with black-powder, large caliber ammunition. The early 15 gram jacketed, flat-nosed, lead-cored Balle M’s had an extreme range of 3,500 yards, and a muzzle velocity of 2,000 feet per second. The effective range was about 438 yards.

A new 12.8 gram solid brass spitzer (pointed, as opposed to flat-nose), boat-tailed bullet called Balle D was adopted for the Lebel in 1898, and was in generalized service after 1901. This improved ballistic trajectory required a replacement of the rear sights on the Lebel Model 1886. Also, the spring-loaded follower inside of the magazine was redesigned in 1898 for use with the Balle D. The Balle D was the first boat-tailed spitzer bullet adopted by any infantry force in the world. With an even flatter trajectory and an extreme range of 4,000 yards, its maximum effective wounding distance was 1,800 yards (fired at massed targets). However, the realistic effective range of the Lebel was increased to about 457 yards with open sights.

However, the Balle D did introduce new problems – accidental ignition inside of a tubular magazine. To work around this, a circular groove was formed on each case head, around the primer pocket, so as to receive the tip of the cartridge that followed. Also, the Berdan primer on each cartridge was protected by a thick convex primer cover, which, in effect, gave a double primer cup. Because of this standard protection, French military issue Balle D and Balle N ammunition is safe inside of the magazine.

The last type of military issue Lebel ammunition was the Cartouche Model 1932N, which used steel and cupro-nickel jacketed spitzer, boat-tail bullet. This ammunition was only suitable for Lebel and Berthier rifles marked N on the top of the receiver and barrel. This ammunition was originally designed to increase the range of the Hotchkiss machine gun, and production was ended in France during the late 1960’s.

Lebel ammunition was powerful for its time. It ranked slightly higher in muzzle energy than British .303in ammunition, but slightly lower than the German 7.92x57mm Mauser cartridge.

Operational History

After the Lebel’s adoption into the French army, many other nations also switched over to small-bore rifles using smokeless ammunition. Germany and Austria adopted their new infantry rifles in 1888, Italy and Russia in 1891, and the United States in 1892. In 1895, the British altered their .303in Lee-Metford to use smokeless powder ammunition, which resulted their .303in Lee-Enfield.

In the early 20^th century, the Lebel was sold in French overseas colonies for the protection of civilians and/or hunting. Brand new military-issue 1886 and 1893 Lebel rifles could be purchased by authorized civilians, and were in catalogues of French mail-order firm Manufrance until 1939. A sporting version called the “Lebel-Africain” was offered by Manufrance during the pre-WWII years. It featured a shorter barrel, a turned-down bolt handle, and a slimmer, better finished stock. But when compared to the Mauser and Mannlicher-Schoenauer hunting rifles of the time, it was not as competitive as a hunting weapon.

World War I

During World War I, when the Lebel was used in combat against the Mauser and other more modern rifle designs, its main weakness was its slow-reloading magazine. Also the upper barrel section was unprotected, which could result in burned fingers during rapid firing. Finally, the sights were rather small, which left much to be desired for a rapid-fire emergency situation. Despite these handicaps, the Lebel was still preferred over Berthier’s.

During WWI, the Lebel was the standard infantry rifle, while the Berthier rifle, a lengthened version of the Berthier carbine, was issued to colonial troops, allied contingents within the French army, and the Foreign Legion. Berthier carbines had been issued to cavalry, artillery, machine gun, and engineering troops before the war began.

Both Lebel’s and Berthier’s could be equipped with a removable VB (Viven-Bessieres) rifle grenade launcher. APX Model 1916 and Model 1917 telescopic sights were used with Lebel’s during the later part of World War I, and scoped Lebel’s and Berthier’s were also used during the outbreak of World War II, but they were no longer competitive as sniper rifles in 1940.

The Foreign Legion, after being equipped with Berthier’s during WWI, insisted on being re-equipped with Lebel’s after the end of the war. The difference between the Lebel and Berthier was the Lebel’s stronger construction, better accuracy, and larger magazine.

Post-World War I

Several factors during the late 1920’s and 1930’s, including the depressed economy and reduced war budget, the French Army neglected the modernization of infantry weapons after World War I ended. It took seven years after the official 1929 swap to rimless 7.5mm ammunition to introduce the 7.5x54mm MAS-36 rifle into the French army, and even then its manufacture was not enough to equip all French troops. A thoroughly tested semi-automatic rifle, the MAS 1938/39, was ready to be produced just before World War II broke out, but it did not appear in large numbers until ten years after the fact as the MAS-49. Finally, the standard heavy machine-gun was the Hotchkiss 1914, which was leftover from World War I and used obsolete Lebel ammunition. The failure of the French to modernize their infantry weapons is also shown in the fact that many French second-line troops still used Lebel’s, many of which were modified to carbines, during World War II. The neglect to modernize infantry armament after World War I was yet another contributing factor to the French defeat in June, 1940.

Specifications

Weight: 9.22 lbs empty; 9.7 lbs with 10 rounds

Length: 4.3 feet (51.34 inches)

Barrel Length: 2.6 feet (31.42 inches)

Caliber: 8mm
Cartridge: 8mm Lebel

Rifling: 4 grooves with a right to left twist

Action: Bolt Action
Feed System: 8 round tube magazine

Muzzle Velocity: 2,000 to 2,300 feet per second

Effective Range: 438 yards, individual targets

Maximum Effective Range: 1,644 yards, volley fire

Sights: Iron Sights

Sources:

www.guns.wikia.com

www.militaryfactory.com

www.wikipedia.org