GB560931A - Improvements in or relating to projectiles - Google Patents

Abstract

560,931. Projectiles. KING, G. A. A. Aug. 24, 1942, No. 11879. [Class 9 (i)] A projectile comprises laterally extending rigid wings 3 normally enclosed in the body of the projectile but adapted to be extended to assist the straight flight of the projectile after it has left the muzzle of the gun, a stream-lined body portion 7 which may be provided with fins at the rear of the wings, and a detachable plate, piston, or cone 22 at its tail which receives the thrust of the propellant gases enclosed in a cartridge 18 which fits over the plate. In one form the body of the projectile is made in two hollow longitudinal sections adapted to be connected together and recessed to form a central aperture to receive the wings which are retained therein by a band 10 which subsequently ruptures leaving the wings to be expanded by springs 8 held in position by pins 9. A spigot 23 on the rear plate enters a recess in the tail of the projectile, so that the air pressure releases the plate from the projectile after it has left the muzzle of the gun. In a modification the wings slide between the arms of a U-shaped frame disposed in the body of the projectile to hold the high explosive and the nose of the projectile is screwed to the body. The U-shaped frame may be surrounded by shrapnel disposed in the space between the frame and the walls of the projectile. In a further modification, Fig. 9, the wings 3 are pivoted about pins 30 placed at the nose end of the projectile and are adapted to be expanded by levers 32 actuated by a spring-pressed central rod 35 sliding in a recess at the tail of the projectile, the rod being normally retained in inoperative position by a shear pin 36 which is sheared under impact by a plunger 37 attached to the rear pressure plate as the projectile is fired, so that as soon as the projectile has cleared the muzzle of the gun, the levers are operated to expand the wings.