GB730754A - Improvements in or relating to armoured vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

730,754. Gun mountings on armoured vehicles. EVEN, G. July 9, 1953, No. 19109/53. Class 92(1). An armoured vehicle has a rotatable turret 3, Fig. 1, on which guns 63 are mounted entirely externally thereof and a loading hole 4 with a removable armoured cover 7 is provided in the top plate of the armoured vehicle, the loading hole being offset with respect to the turret axis by a distance substantially equal to the pivoting radius of the loading ends of the guns. The arrangement is such that a gun loader on the vehicle has only his hands exposed while loading the guns. As shown in Figs 1, 3 a battery of six rocket tubes 63 are secured in grooves 64 in a thick frame 67 articulated on the turret by means of yokes 68 on pins 69 and having a U-shaped cutout portion 71 permitting elevation and lowering of the frame 67 by a hydraulic . jack 6 without interference by the turret. The turret comprises three members 13, 14, 15, Fig. 4, member 13 being rotatively mounted on the top plate of the vehicle, member 14 being articulated at 17 on member 13, and member 15 being rotatively mounted on member 14 so that a retractable periscope may be oriented in all directions without rotating the whole turret. The elevation jack 6, Figs. 1, 3, is pivotally carried on pins 75 on the lower member 13 of the turret. Rotation of the turret and hence training of the tubes 63 is ensured by a circular rack 77 driven by a pinion 78 rotated by an electric motor 79 or alternatively by manually operated mechanism 80. In an alternative construction the turret 3, Figs. 5, 7 is articulated through trunnions 45 on an annular member 46 rotatively mounted in the top plate, the guns 2 being mounted rigidly on side members of the turret so that training and elevation of the guns is effected by corresponding movements of the turret. The seat 24, Fig. 5 for the gun-firer is rotatably carried by a hydraulic jack and has an articulated back 40 which may be tilted forwards so that the upper edge 42 constitutes a rest for the gun-firer in an almost standing position. The seat 28 of the gun-loading man may be tilted about a pivot 32 either by means of a jack 31, Fig. 1, or by spring means 301, Fig. 9 (not shown), operated by a handle 43. Figs. 10, 11 show an ammunition feeding-chain housed in the lateral space provided on the side of the loading man position. This chain is constituted by two series of staggered links such links having two rings 50, 51 welded together, the adjacent links being held by cylindrical box members 53 passing through the rings 50, 51 and freely rotatable in them. Each box member 53 contains a shell. The whole assembly passes over two spindles 55, 56 each carrying two pinions 57. Spindle 56 is freely rotated while spindle 55 is connected through a free-wheel device 58 with a pedal 59 provided with a return spring 60. Operation of the pedal 59 by the loading man brings successive boxes 53 within his reach.