Sexton SP 25 Pdr

[Cross]

Currently, the British Sexton SP 25Pdr (unit 47) has 102 HE and 10 HEAT rounds
The Canadian and ANZAC Sextons (both unit 47) have 100 HE, 6 sabot and 6 HEAT.

I think the HEAT rounds are an error, making it a bit uber.
I believe it should have 87 HE and 18 sabot rounds (simulating AP rounds)?

Some sources say some of the HE would probably be smoke rounds.


I found three sources saying 87 HE and 18 AP, here are two of them:

http://www.wwiivehicles.com/canada/self-propelled-gun/sexton.asp

http://books.google.com/books?id=oLgeYLn-HVMC&pg=PA43&lpg=PA43&dq=sexton+25+pounder&source=bl&ots=0oMsqU4a2i&sig=tP3cOIG5lfdUCSH_osDEN1nXHwQ&hl=en&ei=nOCXS93WFZCilAf77fmQDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CB4Q6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=sexton%2025%20pounder&f=false

page 43



Cross

[Cross]

While on the subject of the 25 Pdr. The HE KILL value seems strangely low at 7.

The 25 Pdr (87.6mm) fired a 25 pound shell. Most medium mortars fire a 8 pound shell, and have a KILL value of 11!

Though looking at the values of a few guns, I would be tempted to put all the medium mortars down to about 7 or 8, and the 25 Pdr up to 9 or 10.

Just an observation... ;)




Cross

[Mobhack]

Mortars have a higher kill value than the equivalent calibre artillery shell.

They come straight down and make a circular daisy-cutter burst, whereas artillery shells come in at speed and at an angle burying themselves before exploding and throwing generally upwards. Arty shells make an oval pattern, with some dead zones even close to the burst.

I have seen fresh 25 pounder craters and also 81mm mortar ones when we went looking for a 'blind' after a shoot.

The mortar impacts were a perfect circle, and the little 1 cm or so hummocks all around on the flattish ground were neatly cut with little radial tracks from the shrapnel, like a sort of spiders web had been laid down on the turf. You would not have lived if out in the open, even if lying down prone. With an arty shell you just might, if lucky.

Cheers
Andy

[Cross]

Mortars have a higher kill value than the equivalent calibre artillery shell.

They come straight down and make a circular daisy-cutter burst, whereas artillery shells come in at speed and at an angle burying themselves before exploding and throwing generally upwards. Arty shells make an oval pattern, with some dead zones even close to the burst.

I have seen fresh 25 pounder craters and also 81mm mortar ones when we went looking for a 'blind' after a shoot.

The mortar impacts were a perfect circle, and the little 1 cm or so hummocks all around on the flattish ground were neatly cut with little radial tracks from the shrapnel, like a sort of spiders web had been laid down on the turf. You would not have lived if out in the open, even if lying down prone. With an arty shell you just might, if lucky.

Cheers
Andy

Thanks for the explanation.

I noticed all the mortars - including heavies - had a high KILL value, so I did wonder if it was something like that.

cheers,
Cross

[PatG]

Mortars tend to have a higher fill weight to casing weight ratio giving more bang for the buck at reduced penetration. Super-quick to kill Ivan in the open, delay to get him under top cover.

[DRG]

The average artillery shell in WW2 contained somewheres around 8% -10% of it's weight in explosives whereas a mortar bomb contains more like 20%.


Don