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NAA: MP438/3, S/25

Series number: MP438/3

Control symbol: S/25
Barcode: 382657
Number of pages: 127

QF 25 Pdr [Quick Firing 25 Pounder] gun - long and short: Projects MMP 468 and MMP 470 [bound booklet
includes black and white photographs; coloured diagrams] [2 copies]
_ __ ‘_ _,_ \{_ _ __,_ __GDMUNWEALTH 0FAll STRALIA‘ Ministry of’MunltlonsPIIBJEGT In ................................................................................................................... ..55§§"011J5-I5<0»000--------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --. ._ ~_.;,,-if ll 1 =_V_ s\_‘_ > ‘-ii _‘_‘~§&_. .-_,___ ‘_ _w Q» ,‘-“—"'/Au‘. ' D '%‘"Il\_ r;L..1‘
25-Pdr. (es m.m.)ORDNANCE QUICK FIRINGU MINISTRY of MUNITWIOPROJECTS468&470COPY N0.5-6.%\2>"’°O>
P R E F A C EProject Stories are written so that those specialistswho have the allotting of materials, machine tools, bearings andequipment can quickly get a non-technical glimpse of the wholeproject, and assess its
relationship to the war effort. Bythis means justification of the overseas requirements will beunderstood.This project story is different in that the projectis practically finished, and the only overseas requirementsare bearings
that had to be borrowed, and some chemicals forexplosives should further extensive ammunition orders be forth-coming; but it does show, however -l. That a major project, namely 971 guns and carriages(Page 55), and
5,465,000 rounds of ammunition, hasbeen completed according to schedule.2. That, owing to being unable to get the necessaryequipment quickly, all sorts of improvisationswere made (Figs. ll, 12, 15), and yet as soon
asmachine tools became available, they were usedeffectively.3. An example of how the munitions organisation hascoped with a major project through its own Ordnance,Ammunition and Filling Factories, and through
StateBoards of Area Management, and, in this case, itsDirectorates of Ordnance Production and GunAmunition, who placed orders with ma'or contractorsin non-governmental industry (Page 353.4. An example of how oo-
opted scientists have beeninstrumental in the production of opticalmunitions in this country (Pages 28-32).L
5. Finally, the evolution of the Light 25-Pdr.so necessary to over-come our common enemyin thc Islands of the Pacific (Pages 20-27).
F O i “ W'L R DY nThe 25-Pdr. Gun requires no introduction; itsperformance in Africa, Italy and New Guinea is known tofriend and foe. It has been proved to be one of the mostsuccessful field guns in the world today and
has been usedby British and Dominion forces throughout this war, practicallywherever they have been in contact with an enemy.The Shortened Australian type has been developedfor particular purposes. It is probable in
the coming monthsthis specialised type will play as important a part in thestruggle, in the jungle of Burma and the Pacific Islands, asit has in New Guinea and as its famous prototype has done inother theatres-
C O N T E N T SAUTHORITY . - . . . .ORDNANCE Q.F. 25-Pdr. Mark0 0IIHi Story Q Q 0Description .Operation . .Ordnance .Carriage . . . .Artillery Trailer . .Specification . . . .IO00ORDNANCE Q.F. 25-Pdr.
SHORT0O(AUST6OI)E520 1 c 0 7MARK IHistoryDescriptionComparative FeaturesSpecificationIO0ISIGHTING GEAROptical Glass ProductionDial Sighting Gear . .Telescopic Sighting GearPRODUCTIONStandard
25"Pdro I 0 I5hO!"t 25"Pdro Q 0 I QAMMUNITIONProjectiles . . .Cartridge . . - .Explosives . - . .Amunition Boxes . . .0O II OO OU II I00OIO0eOO00IOUCIO9ll12l215l81820202527283132353438404142J.
CONTENTS (COntd-)REQUIREMENTS FRM OVERSEASBall and Roller BearingsNiaterials 0 0 I I 0 O 0 0 u 0 0 0 0Fig:Fig:Fig:Fig:Fig:Fig:Fig:Fig:Fig:Fig:Fig:Fig:Fig:Fig:Fig:Fig:GJ\'lO'>U'10¥>0Jl\7l-1910111215141516I L L
U S T R A T I O N SOrdnance Q.F. 25-Pdr. Mark II . .Carriage of 25-Pdr. — side view -Carriage of 25-Pdr. - rear view .Artillery Trailer . . . . . .Ordnance Q.F.25-Pdr- Short(Aust.) Mark IMubo Valley, New Guinea . - . . 1
.Short 25-Pdr. knocked down for transportShort 25—Pdr. Gun in course of transportUpper: By truckLower: By air . . . . . . . .Short 25-Pdr. Gun in New GuineaUpper: In the Finnistere MountainsLower: Bogged in a swamp -
Dial Sight and Carrier . . .Machine Tool improvisation .II H II0QOIQII II llI I I25-Pdr. Q.F. Projectiles . . - .Section of 25—Pdr. Case and H.E.PrQj€Cti]-6 u 0 0 0 0 c 025-Pdr. Case - Sequence of manufacturingOperations 0 0 u
q 0 0 0 n 0 uI01 n 0PageI Q I I I Q I . 47Page8101417212224252629553657394445
1_rA U T H O R I T YOn 18th January, 1940, at a meeting of WarCabinet it was decided that approval be given to theexpansion of the Munitions Factory Organisation toprovide capacity for 25-Pdr- Guns.This report has
been prepared in collaborationand with the approval of theDepartment of the Army.
Fig: 1ORDNANCE QUICK FIRING 25-PDR» MARK II
| -~r- ~*-I 3?. v.4;-I‘R1- ., 'i>—
Q263$}C O M M O N W E A L T H of A U S T R A L I AM I N I S T R Y of M U N I T I O N SP R O J E C T4 6 825-PDRg. (as m.m.) QUICK FIRING GUN HGTNITZEROrdnance Q,F. 25-Pdr- Mark IICarriage 25-Pdr. Mark
ITrailers Artillery No. 27 Mark IHISTORYGuns and Howitzers are each designed for a specialpurpose. The first has a flat trajectory and usually a highmuzzle velocity. The latter can fire a projectile at ahigh elevation so that
it will fall almost vertically uponthe target, but is not suitable for firing at long ranges.A gun is capable of being aimed accurately at thetarget with the minimum of elevation and consequently in thecase of moving targets can
strike with the minimum of error,a howitzer, on the other hand, cannot be aimed at the targetin the same manner.} J
Fig: 2§ARRIAGE of 25-Pdr. GUNSide View
/ > ‘Q;4‘'°"t°'F- "- ~@w.\ ‘V * #2‘ _ q , \ "7' ave b kc» ‘-_,-.§_ , .11 .-W . .y- ., ‘ Ye '3‘? t,'l<:» 4.5%§;'3*;' ' 1. -\- 1 _¢_ ~- -=.S'§: \;~=§.1_' bin.‘ 'W4. _,v,- -‘H5 , .,. >Shicld stay.W w=='~ ’ V ' M L k‘ P-R 7 \~ "~“|n M. ". -’ \' 5'
Ocma r ;_'~ _ ‘3 e~'/I 3\\/‘Q J_[’?:,-/_” x H A ‘ . Firing-platform connecting 5pm1e E"-x. \§"_ ".‘——__ }_—__ ~ .,W..,,\ ..-.. _ ‘_.*"Y 1 H 'j| 1 . / »\7 Stddlc. Fm". I ‘f_&‘ \.‘@ I-{IE5Sight. oycruins um4§_ pCARRIAGE,
§§,MARK I@E& ~ ‘/98°“. " - :e'o nzcomH‘I /\_ _‘ _2,______Elzvaun arc _..- _-\_ 9 _ =;; :3_ . I _. 3-‘. iv ’l ‘ _V ‘ _ ‘ '%: _ L -, " V , ' ‘ '* _' ' 0 ' "- I’-' ~i ' “F— I "”"'_:~ - I ' ‘ £2 ;-*" ~' r O _-. ,_ --’ I‘ __’-:= V A or F * "if-._ .
Elevatmg hand vvhizl‘l_. __ v ‘Ii’ §'-/ ' I . I} \9{‘oJ’ , _ » .'.§\NZ.’ __* L: N . _ V V ( T’ " " ' 7 \ LQ \/V .111,’ *_ = 1 rx- O . _,_ / \ ) , ‘ “~~’_, \\<__-——~—~ij———->\_\ "J -3% ' 3*“-
w-11-The 25-Pdr. was designed in Great Britain. Itsupersedes the 18-Pdr. Gun and the 4.5 inch howitzer.Consequently, the 25-Pdr. is aptly termed a Gun-Howitzerand the success with which it has met in this war
fullyjustifies its inclusion as a standard weapon for BritishArmies.DESCRIPTION - GeneralThe 25-Pdr. Gun-Howitzer is a medium velocity fieldpiece of semi-automatic quick fire, with a solid wishbonetrail and detachable
turntable. As its designation implies,it can be used as a straight field gun at moderate elevation~It is particularly effective with high explosive or smokeshell and is also useful with armour piercing shot as a tank-attack gun.
As a tank—attack weapon the 25-Pdr. is particularlyefficient if fitted with a platform and foot firing gear. Itcan also be employed successfully on counter battery Work onaccount of its long range.The gun has four charges
which enable it to fireover intervening crests and to search steep slopes withoutdiminishing the maximum range. The four charges are knownas Charges I, II, III and Super.TABLE OFMUZZLE VELOCITIES & MAXIMUM
RANGESCHARGE M.V. IN FEET PER MAX. RANGE IN\ ISECONDYARDS\ I 650_ II 975‘ | III 1,450SUPER 1,7005,9007,80011,60013,400
-13-OPERATIONThe gun is operated normally by a crew of six, isused in troops of four and can be deployed very rapidly. Thestandard time laid down by the War Office for the deploymentfor a troop under good conditions
from receipt of orders bythe troop commander to the moment the first round is fired is8 minutes.The 25-Pdr. is capable of a high rate of fire, anda well trained gun crew can fire l0-12 rounds per minute.This high rate of fire
cannot be maintained for any lengthof time, the best that can be expected is about 6-8 roundsper minute. xThe highest standard rate laid down for periodsof any length is 5 rounds per minute. The life of a barrelis estimated
at 10,000 rounds. The gun is fitted with aremovable barrel — the old barrel can be removed and a new onefitted. This can be done in the field in a few hours withouttaking the gun off its position.ORDNANCEBarrel - The
Mark II gun body is of steel and consists of anauto~frettaged loose barrel, jacket and removable breech ring.The barrel is tapered on the exterior from rear to front foralmost the whole length except for the front end which
has aslight muzzle swell, whilst the rear has a flange to butt againstan internal shoulder in the jacket, thus preventing longitudinalmovement. To prevent the barrel rotating when in position twosemicircular recesses are out
in the periphery of the flangeinto which fits two securing screws on the jacket.The Auto-Frettage Process - This is a process which givesdesirable characteristics of strength and wear to heavy steeltubes. It consists of
expanding the tube radially by applyinghydraulic pressure to the bore; the pressure used is sufficientto exceed the elastic limit of the metal in the bore. Thisaction causes the metal in the bore to yield plastically andmaintain
a permanent set. The outer layers which are notstressed beyond their elastic limit attempt to return to theiroriginal dimensions. Tho result is much the same as when steelhoops are shrunk on the outside of a tube. The inner
wall isin a state of residual compression, and the outer wall in a
V 1state of residual tension, resulting from the cold workingreceived during the process-As performed on the 25-Pdr. gun barrel, the twoends of the barrel are counterbored, and after carefullychecking the bore, the barrel is
inserted in the Auto-Frettage plant, being held in position by sleeves insertedin the counterbore. Lead and rubber packings are used toseal the bore. The barrel is connected at one end to ahigh pressure pump, and at the
other end to a pressuregauge. Glycerine is then applied to the bore under pressurewhich is indicated on the pressure gauge. Dial indicatorsassembled at four points along the barrel indicate theexpansion of the barrel under
pressure, and a gauge standingin the centre of the barrel indicates deflection. Readingsare taken and plotted on a standard chart.Since Auto-Frettaged barrels are unstable, theyare aged or followed by a low temperature
heat-treatment.If over tension is followed by a low temperature annealthe steel recovers and the elastic limit increases to avalue equal to or greater than the auto-frettaging pressure-After annealing the barrel is again
returned to the auto-frettaging set up for a test pressure, and if any irregul-arity has been caused by the treatment it can be noted atthis time. After the pressure is removed, readings aretaken on the outside diameter and in
the bore at the samefour points.Breech — The breech mechanism is of the vertical slidingblock type, opened and closed by a breech mechanism leverthrough the actuating shaft and crank. The crank, which isfitted with two
rollers, slides in a groove formed in therecess for the reception of the breech block. The block isretained in the open position by means of the extractorlevers, the hooks of which engage shoulders formed towardsthe upper
end of the front face of the breech block, whenthe block is lowered, being held against the shoulders bythe action of the buffer on the toe of the breech mechanismlever. The extractors are released by the insertion of
acartridge, allowing the action of the bufferspring topartially close the block, thus preventing the cartridgefrom slipping backwards when the gun is at a high angleof elevation. Obturation is obtained by the cartridgecase
expanding radially against the walls of the chamberon firing.
Fig: 3CARRIAGE of 25-Pdr. GUNRear View‘ J
Sight. Flap.Sight, I\i1Trayer-sing hand whee|.\-/——- Firing handle. _/ /'i\Handspikc brackets.r-- Shiald Hap. I/—-Brake hand lever‘
Particulars of Ordnance IMaterialWeight estimated withbreech mechanismLength -TotalBarrelBore —CalibreLengthChamber -Capacity (total effectiveLength to base ofprojectileTravel of projectileRifling -SystemLen
gthTwistGrooves —NumberDepthWidthFiring MechanismSteel1,000 lbs.97.473 inches92.51 "3.45 inches92.375 "151 cu. inches14.47 inches77.905 "Polygroove, plainsection.74.255 inchesUniform l turn in
20calibres.260,04 inches0.2777 inchesPercussionFiring - The method of firing is by percussion operated bya lever attached to the carriage.CARRIAGE - The Mark I carriage is designed for use withmechanised traction and
is constructed to give 40° elevationand 5° depression of the gun, coupled with a traverse of 4°right or left of a centre line without disturbing the trail.The traverse is effected by causing the saddle, with cradleand gun to move
over the top surface of the trail sidebrackets, whilst the front cf the saddle pivots on the trailSaddle - The saddle is the traversing portion of the carriageand forms an intermediary between tho trail and the cradle.Cradle --
The cradle carries the gun and the recoil arrange-ments, the whole pivoting vertically in the saddle by meansof trunnions.
_16-Recoil System - This comprises a hydraulic buffer to regulatethe recoil with a hydro-pneumatic recuperatcr'toIeturn-thegun tc the run—out position and retain it there. The necessarygear is contained in a cylinder block
carried under the gunwithin the cradle. The cylinder block is attached to the gunand recoils with it, the piston rods being secured to the cradlecap and remaining stationary. The buffer is of the controlledand graduated
pressure typo having a cut-off gear and rotatingvalve. The function of the out-off gear being to shorten therecoil as the elevation increases. There is no external gravitytank but a longitudinal boring in the cylinder block
performs thesame purpose. The recupsrator consists of one liquid cylinderin which operates a piston and one high pressure cylinder contain-ing a floating piston. The retarding valve is fitted in theliquid cylinder and the two
cylinders are connected by means ofa radial channel. The liquid and air in the high pressurecylinder are separated by the floating piston.Wheels and Axles - The pneumatic detachable wheels with anti-friction hubs are
secured by means of their stub axles to theplates or stub axle supporting brackets of the crossbar. Thebrake operating gear works by means of a hand lever on the righthand side of the carriage.Firing Platform - A firing
platform is attached to the gun 'by means of twc stays bracketed on to the trail. It is inthe form of a wheel with a flange projecting upwards, thediameter of which is the same as that of the track of thecarriage wheels. It is
carried under the trail and whenrequired is lowered to the ground and the carriage is hauledover it to the roar, so allowing rapid all-round traverse foranti-tank shooting. To prevent the spade becoming embedded,a box is
placed over it, so allowing easy traverse over theground.The platform consists principally of a rim, andconnecting links consisting of cross bar, platform stays,locking links, connecting bars and connecting eyes. It issecured
to the trail for travelling by means of a lever andchains which attach to hooks on the rim of the platform; thelever, when pressed down, holds the platform tight againstth trail.Firing Gear - The foot firing gear (Aust.) is a
localmodification and consists of a foot pedal attached to thecrossbar operating on a cam pivotted through the cradletrunnions. The cam forces back a firing rod which bearsa,
Fig: 4ARTILLERY TRAILER NO
Brake HandLzFLmc3 Hand'e}_,-Spn skndsMud Apbumpers/dlidchrnent hookkeg plate
-18-against the toe of the firing lever. The gear is fitted fortank attack shooting andon traversingARTILLERY TRAILERThe trailer isto carry ammunition andpermits the layer to retain both handsand elevating hand-
wheelsused in conjunction with the carriagestores. Two trailers connected bymeans of the perch of the rear one, comprise the ammunitiontrailers of atrailers, front and rear.Thetrailer or asan ammunitionThe trailer consists
ofthe front1.5. Axletree4. Stub Axl5. Wheels6. PerchGSAmmunition Box2. Trail Bumpers7. Towing Arrangement8. Brake Operating Gear.SPECIFICATIONGun and Carriage -Carriage (without gun storesfiring platform) ..
..Gun and Carriage .. .-Pressure of trail on groundWeight on point of perch -Limbered up .. ..Unlimbered .. .. ..Height -Top of shield —Firing position .-Height -Axis of gun . .. ..Axle .. .. .. ..Clearance .. .. ..Orco00noQ0 IO
OI00 on onto I0 on00 ll loto 00 I0II IO toII 00 noO0 an on00 co tosection and are normally referred to as ammunitiontrailer can be employed either as the carriageor rear ammunition trailer. It hasbox designed to carry 52
rounds in 16 trays.the following principal parts :-2,77O lbs.5,968 lbs.157 lbs.75 lbso lbsc66.75"46.125"16.3125"13.5"I 4
Ti? O-19-Length —‘ Carriage & Trailer muzzle toperch eye .¢ .. .. ..Wheels -Diameter .¢ .. .- ..Width of tyre .. .- ..Width of track .. .. ..> Maximum width of carriage over axle .-Locking angle, carriage and trailRecoil (metal to
metal) .. .-Nominal length of recoil —Zero .e .. .. .. ..Maximum elevation .. .. ..' Maximum force of recoil -Zero (charge 3) .. .. ..Maximum elevation (super chargePressure in air reservoir . ..\ Total liquid in recuperator ..\
Allowance for leakage .. ..oil reservoir .Maximum elevationMaximum depressionTraverse R and LTurns of hand wheel per degree -I Elevation .. ..Traversing .¢ ¢;One turn of hand wheel eElevation .1 ..Traversing in ».in In
In00 II Inon ll anno no O000 onan onO0 onll OI’ Artillery TrailerWithout stores and ammunition .-With stores .. s. .. ..With stores and ammunition ..Pressure of perch —On ground -'t1'ail€I' 1Qad9d |-o- 0 0 I uOn trailer hook -
trailer loaded .. .. ..Length of perch .~ .. ..Width .._ .. ., .. ..Height .- a. .. .. ..Wheel track - centre to centreGreatest projection beyond wheelWheel tyre (inches) .. -- .-€I' onon onoi no) .. ..no IOon I0Total liquid in buffer cylinder
and00 cuU0 OI00 O0no onon O0I0 lo00 noon U0no 00II ontrack ..310.75"54"9|!70.5"85.5"sc° L. 50° R4:2"as"20"7,280 lbs-20,l60 lbs.600 lbs. persq. inch9 pintsl pint15 pints40°50400.892 turns2 turns1.12°so’2,065 lbs.2,253
lbs»5; lbs.127 lbs. T56 lbs 0129"83"48"70"6%"9.00 x 16
~*2<\94><‘>C O M M O N W'E A L T H of A U S T R A L I AMINISTRY of MUNITIQNSPROJECT No. 47025-Pdr. (ea m.m.) SHORT (AUST.) QUICK FIRING GUN HGWITZER0 Ordnance Q.F. 25-Pdr. Short (Aust.) Mark
ICarriage 25 Pdr. Light (Aust.) Mark IHISTORYThe 25-Pdr. Quick Firing Gun Howitzer because of itsweight and size is unsuited to jungle and other kinds of warfarewhere strategic conditions, particularly in mountainous
andrough country, require that, if field artillery is to achievemaximum effectiveness, it must necessarily be capable of beingquickly broken down into comparatively light units for trans-portation and quick re—assembly. The
25-Pdr. Short Gun wasdeveloped to meet these special requirements.DESCRIPTIONThe design of each section or assembly had to be inaccordance with weight requirements for dropping from aircraftand for pack by Jeep
over rough terrain, as required for exist-ing conditions in intense jungle warfare in the islands to theNorth of Australia. Whilst the main problem - in common withall guns - was the design of the ordnance to obtain the
desiredballistic qualities, it was necessary to reduce the length ofthe recoil of the standard 25—Pdr. recuperator by approximatelyone half. It was fortunate the 25-Pdr. recoil system hadalready been redesigned in order that
a standard 25-Pdr. Guncould be mounted in the Australian Cruiser tank as time was suchan important factor. Wherever practicable standard 25-Pdr.parts were incorporated in the design-
i _ %Fi": 5ORDNJ-QNCE QUICK FIRING 25-Pdr. SHORT (1=LIjST.)1£;l%K 1
\\ _ I.‘l\_|“|\_‘ lmil U,‘SMW9l‘ill,
Fig: 6MUBO VALLEY, NEW QUINEAThis illustratrunning up tothpt mako thefighting tookion shows tho mountainous country,18,000 fubt, and the heavy vegetation25-Pdr. Short Gun essential. Heavyplace hero in August,
1945.
@23-The weight factor of each group of components orassemblies was all-important to facilitate transport, droppingfrom aircraft by parachute, and handling during dismantling andre—assembly. In this connection all groups
are under 500 lbs.,with the exception of the Trail (front half) - 361 lbs. and theRecoil System - 408 lbs. This latter item has been the subjectof re—design on the basis of welded fabrication whereby theweight will be reduced
to 326 lbs. approximately. Both gunsfire the same ammunition.The Short 25-Pdr. Gun Howitzer is a medium velocitysemi-automatic quick firing field weapon, with a solid wishbonetrail. The ordnance which comprises a
loose barrel jacket,breech ring and breech mechanism, is standard with the 25-Pdr.field equipment (see Page 12) except that the loose barrel has‘ been reduced to approximately half the normal length and therecuperator is
shortened back to the middle bearing support.The trail is of a very light pattern and is fitted with twolight weight rubber tyred wheels.The carriage includes the shortened recuperator, cradle,saddle, elevating and traversing
gears, sights, trail, axle andwheels. A limited number of detachable turntable platformswill be provided for special cases.COMPARATIVE FEATURESThe following table will give some comparisons betweenthe standard
25—Pdr. Gun Howitzer and the short 25-Pdr. GunHowitzer.CGMPARAT1VE FEATURES of GUNS' Features Standard Short- Gun Howitzer Gun Howitzer.Gross Weight 4,144 lbs. 2,914 lbs. ‘Length of Barrel 92.51"
49.825"Length of Recoil 40" 20"Maximum elevation 40° 40°Maximum depression 5° 5°Muzzle velocity-ft.per sec. 650-1700 v (b)Maximum range, yards i 5,900-15,400 (b)/'\/-\/'\/\O O £9 $9\./\_/\-/\/(a) Same saddle for both
guns._ (b) These closely approximate the performance of the Standard Gun(c) See page 11.
Fig: 7SHORT 25-Pdr. GUNBroken down for transport_____ _ _ ,, ___[4
' OFig: 8OHORT 25-Pdr. GUN IN COURSE OF TRANSPORTUppar: Gun strippud of c0mpon¢nts in truckb¢ing despmtchcd to Airport.Lower: Gun in Dcuglas Iransport Auroplane.
_‘ Q‘ My _\_V__" \‘\\ L ‘ _‘I __ __ \‘_v\\\\ _‘L;‘I!’Jif ___I) ‘ k_I It____H‘__~_ gj _ km‘F ’ '1 tiw _ ,‘I_‘_H“__v_ ‘ K //f _ ’
SHORT 25Fig: 9/‘*1 1\Y1'w -—Pdr. GUN in uulumn2112Upper:Lower:Crossing river in the FinnistereMountains.In spite of its lighter wvight thanthe Standard Gun, the Shart 25-Pdr.Gun gets bogged in a swampy area.
i-27_SPECIFICATIONSince the fundamental reason for producing the shorttype of the 25-Pdr. was to enable the components to be transportedeither by air or by Jeep, it is evident that the weights of thesecomponents form
a very vital feature contributing to the successof this weapon. The following table will illustrate what hasbeen achieved to make the saving in weight a feature of this gun.Sectional Weights for 25-Pdr.Short GunComponent
Parts -BarrelMuzzle CapJacketBreech RingBreech BlockBreech MechanismStriker CaseTrail, Front HalfTrail, Rear HalfSaddle and Elevating Gear (less Arc)Cradle, Cradle Cap and ArcRecoil System, filled with l7 lbs. of
oilDial Sight Carrier and Sight operating GeVery fragile - requires separate and sppackingAxle and Wheel Arcs, 89 lbs. eachWheel, Hub and Brake Gear 2 @ 150 lbs.These are dropped separately and markedL and R for
quick assemblyCastor WheelStores TrayDitching Tools HolderTraversing GearTOTAL:ARTILLERY TRAILERThe Short 25-Pdr. has no traile24031195592:5__Zarecialr
attached.Lbs27125728236120322628340877178Z60415221142,914
 -28-S I G H T I N G G E A ROPTICAL GLASS PRODUCTIONAustralian industrial initiative, brought intoextraordinary prominence by war conditions, was forced to solvemany problems, but none so grave as the threat to
one featurevital to the successful manufacture of munitions. It wasobvious that transition from peace time manufacturing to themaking of munitions would be incomplete - harmfully incomplete -unless adequate supplies of
optical glass were available.Optical glass was required for telescopic sights and dial sights(for guns), Signalling telescopes, rangefinders, ring—sighttelescopes (to compute the speed of aeroplanes in flight), flash—spotters
(to take bearings of enemy guns at night), introscopes(elongated microscopes for interior inspection of gun barrels),and various optical appliances designed to aid the Services.Some glass was obtained from Great Britain
and the United States,but delays in supply and uncertain transport from overseas forcedupon the Ministry of Munitions a problem so acute that evenspectacle lenses were used to meet optical munitions requirements.Again,
even blocks of glass for the prisms of tank periscopes hadto be made by welding together sheets of plate glass, It was allvery crude, and, of course, inadequate. Requiring purity in rawmaterials, and learning of an entirely
new production technique,the making of optical glass represented work of a character neverbefore exploited in Australia.It having been decided, in the second half of 1940,to undertake the manufacture of optical munitions
in Australia,an Optical Munitions Panel was established. At an early stagethe Optical Munitions Panel advised that, to serve as raw mater-ials for the various lenses and prisms, at least four types ofoptical glass would be
required in quantity. To provide thesetypes of optical glass involved solving a production problemlong the jealously guarded monopoly of a limited number ofEuropean, British and American finns. That success was
obtainedwas due to close co-operation between Professor E.J.Hartung ofthe Chemistry Department of the University of Melbourne, andProfessor A. L. McAu1ay of the Department of Physics of theUniversity of Tasmania,
who performed all the necessary researchwork and made all the glasses experimentally. In addition,
Fig: 10DIAL SIGHT, CARRIER, and SIGHTING TELESCOPEused with 25—Pdr. Standard and Short Guns. Allparts, including optics, made in Australia.
'1“ " -=1 1 -._ _ _ . <',,m,'. ‘4» .2'1‘ - - ~‘\
_ —-rthe U.S. National Bureau of Standards, Washington, generallyfurnished details of the techniques used there, so saving muchvaluable time.i There were two main problems. In the first placeit was essential to obtain
suitable raw materials for the glasses.Secondly, it would have been impossible to make satisfactoryprogress in the handling of the essential sands and other mater-ials without suitable fire-clays for the pots. Fine quality
sand,already in regular use for making flint glass for table ware, wasavailable in quantity. Containing less than 0.0l per cent. ironoxide, this sand proved to be ideal for the making of opticalglasses which were free from
colour and turbidity. Other rawmaterials of high purity were soon located and removed furtheranxiety in this respect.Having found materials suited to their purpose, thescientists then directed their main experimental
investigationsto the selection of suitable pot-clays. About 80 specimens,obtained from various parts of Australia, were subjected to testsas to refractoriness under load, shrinkage, chemical composition,covering particularly
iron and titanium, texture and workability.Elimination of some 70 clay specimens left about ten clays formore exhaustive examination. Suitably blended and fashionedinto small open pots, holding about 2 lb. of glass each,
theywere fired in a small gas furnace specially built for the purposeat the Melbourne University. The glass batch was introducedthrough a silica tube into the pots at 140000. until theglass was in quite fusion. After stirring
with a silica rod,the pct was heated at a steady temperature (usually l45O°C.) fortwelve hours, cooled down, cracked open, and the glass examinedfor pot contamination.It was impossible to make optically homogeneous
glassin such small pots, but no difficulty was experienced in ascertain-ing the resistance of the clays to glass attack and their generalquality under the severe test conditions. Owing to the bettervolume-surface ratio which
would be obtained in large pots andthe lower and more controllable temperatures to which they wouldbe exposed, it was felt by Professor Hartung that the results ofthese tests could be applied with safety to the construction
ofsuitable large pots. Pot-making and optical glass productionannexes were established by Australian Consolidated IndustriesLtd. Using the results of the small scale experiments, it wasfound possible to slip-cast the large
pots and dry them readyfor the pct-arch in about six weeks. As these pots could beraised to the temperature of the melting furnace in 4%'days agreat saving in time was thereby accomplished.
-31-The pct—making and optical glass production annexeswere specially designed and constructed to facilitate handlingand reduce labour to a minimum. Shift problems and operatingcosts were reduced by introducing well
planned melting schedulesand a simple and efficient stirring equipment completed an outfitequal to producing first-quality optical glass. Followinginspection of the pot contents, the chunks of glass are softenedand moulded
into the required blanks in special steel mouldswhich yield a very clean product, thus requiring only smalltolerances. Electric annealers are used to treat the blanksbefore they are finally inspected. A yield of from 55 to 60per
cent. of useable glass per pot, mostly of very high quality,must be noted as practical evidence of the success obtained.‘ Measurements made by the National Standards Laboratoryof Australia disclose remarkable
consistency in optical propertiesof the glass from various parts of an individual pot, Also, theyshow very satisfactory freedom from striation or other blemish.Again, tests carried out on eight consecutive melts showed
inapprec-iable differences in mean refractive index and dispersion. Theglasses now being produced fall in properties well within thetolerances set by the Optical Munitions Panel. Thus, aftertireless research, involving myriad
tests, the basic secretswere uncovered by Australian Scientists and full scale productionof fine quality optical glass duly became an accomplished fact.No longer need the Commonwealth look to overseas makers for
suppliesof this product. The industry has reached the stage when Aust-ralian-made optical glass is not only used for all optical munitionsmade in this country, but has even been exported to other countries.25-PDR. DIAL
SIGHTING GEAR' The sights are carried on the left side of the carriageand comprise a carrier mdth a range scale in the form of a cone,sight clinometer and No. 7 to 7C dial sight.The dial sight is used for laying for direction
andgives an all-round field of view. The range scale is set tothe range and the sight clinometer to the angle of sight, inorder to complete the laying for elevation. Provision is,however, made for the necessary adjustments in
this plane. Thesights are reciprocating, that is to say, they can be cross-levelled in such a manner as to retain their verticality whenthe wheels of the carriage are out of level, up to a limit of tendegrees either way, and so
corrects for the error in line whichwould otherwise ensue. A cross-level bubble, with cross-levell-ing gear, effects the correction, the oscillating bracket being
hinged to the supporting bracket for this purpose. Further-more, the correction for drift is automatically applied by theact of cross-levelling, owing to the cross-level bubble beingset at an inclination by the cam of the drift
scale plate (thedrift angle) to the true transverse axis of the oscillatingbracket, resulting in the oscillating bracket being tilted atthis angle to the vertical, when the bubble is central.The carriage is, therefore, provided with the
followingsighting arrangements :-Sight operating gearNo.7 to 7C dial sight carrier, No.18.No.7 to 7C dial sight.Sight Clinometer.25—PDR. TELESCOPIC SIGHTING GEAR25-Pdr. Guns up till the present time have
beenequipped with sighting telescopes made in Australia but ofEnglish design, telescopes Nos. 22 C and 124 LP being used.Further sighting telescope No. 29, which is made in Englandand imported, has been used. It is,
however, hoped that asighting telescope of purely Australian design and manufacturewill prove satisfactory when it has merged from its presentexperimental stage. This telescope will be known as N0. 141.It is of standard
external dimension with a magnification of 5and a field of view of 12°. Its mechanical construction includesmnneans of throwing into instant use any one of a range ofinbuilt light filters, a feature which is very desirable, asthis
telescope will be used under greatly varying weatherconditions. The filters are of varying types, and are designedto eliminate difficulties caused by the glare of bright sunshineoff reflecting surfaces, difficulties in penetrating
haze. Theyalso throw into relief any objective which may be merged, in sofar as colour is concerned, into the background. In addition,the mechanical design is aimed at ease of production, this beingthe result of the
combined efforts of (1) the Army who specifythe overall requirements, (2) the Scientific Authorities whocompute the optical system, and (3) experienced design engineerswhose detailed mechanical design is based upon the
equipmentmost readily procurable or available for the project.The design is now approaching finalisation and it isanticipated that this telescope, although mechanically morecomplex than any other gun sighting telescope,
will soon be inquantity production.
‘ P R O D U C T I O NforMMP. 468 and 470STANDARD 25-PDR. GUNThe total order from the Australian Army received byMunitions was for 971 and planning was developed on the basisthat the Ordnance Factory at
Maribyrnong would manufacture 420Barrels, whilst Industry would produce the 971 Carriages andall Stores and Equipment, and arrange assembly of the Guns.At a later stage, Industry would come into production of
theremaining 551 barrels relieving the Ordnance Factory at Mari-byrnong of this part of the project.As regards the set-up in Industry, it was decided toestablish two complete units, one in N.S.W} for which the majorco-
ordinating contractor would be General Motors—Holden's Ltd.,at Pagewood, and the other in Victoria - major co-ordinatingcontractor Charles Ruwolt Pty. Ltd., the former to undertake485 carriages and later 275 barrels,
whilst the latter wouldproduce 486 carriages and later 276 barrels, each to establishproduction rate of l0 complete equipments per week. Principalsub-contractors to the N.S.W. unit were - Australian Iron andSteel, for barrel
and recuperator block ibrgings, the ColonialSugar Refining C0,, were to make barrels, J.N.Kirby Ltd., onrecuperators, Chubb's on breech blocks, etc., etc. - whilst inVictoria the major sub-contractors were Ford Motor C0.,
Geelongand Thompson's Engineering Works, Castlemaine.- Initial production of complete equipments was achievedin June 1941, that is within l2 months of the order being placedon contractors, who had had no previous
experience of this phaseof precision mass production. The rate of 80 per month wasachieved and sustained during 1942, and the programme for 971equipments has gone through substantially as planned. The totalnumber
of guns ordered by the Australian Army is 971.L 4
-34-SHORT 25-PDR. GUNOn account of the experience which Charles Ruwolt PtyLtd., had had in manufacturing the standard 25—Pdr. Guns, andbecause they had both the plant and the organisation, they werechosen as
the Contractor ior the Short 25~Pdr. Gun. The totalI number of Guns ordered by the Australian Army, including onepilot model, is two hundred and thirteen.in r or _
Fig: llMACHINE TOOL IHPROVISATION DEVISED BYCharles Ruwolt Pty. LtdtThis Screw Thread Milling attachment was developedfer the 25“Pdr. Gun Project. It is mainly usedfor threading recuperstor block counter
bores.This machine has saved the use of several (and atthe time unobtainuble) High Centre Lathes, it alsosimplified an otherwise difficult operation;___A
"" '
Fig: 12MACHINE TOOL YIMPROVISATION DEVISED BYCharles Ruwolt Pty. Ltd.Used for machining radial guideways on the 25-Pdr.Gun trail. The use of this machine saved theinstallation of several Horizontal Boring
Millsand saved manpower by putting the work into thehands of trainee labour.
Fig: 15MACHINE TOOL IMPROVISATION DEVISED BYCharles Ruwolt Pty. Ltd.An adaptation of a Standard Lathe, whereby withthe addition of a 3—spindle gear box, new box typesaddlu stc., the three main holes in the
25-Pdr.Recupurator were druw~bored simultaneously withunskilled labour.} l
l m. A=.> I ‘ . .
1 -58-A M M U N I T I 0 NforMMP. 468 and 470The 25-Pdr. Gun Howitzer uses separate amunition, i.e.the cartridge and the shell are loaded separately. Up to earlyNovember, l943, the Australian Army had ordered the
followingquantities of amunition from the Ministry of Munitions:—Smoke Shell 594,500 roundsStar Shell 10,000 "High Explosive Shell 5,350,500 3Armour Piercing Shot 328,000 "Cartridges 5,465,000 ---The explosive
factories in Australia are capable ofproducing the necessary explosives for the filling of thecartridges and four types of projectiles, i.e., High ExplosiveShell, Smoke Shell and Armour Piercing Shot, Star
Shell.PROJECTILESHigh Explosive Shell - The empty shell is forged from steelrequiring tensile properties of l9 tons per square inch yieldpoint, 36/@8 tons per square inch breaking stress, with finishedforged cavity,
stream-lined and fitted with a rivetted base-plate. After machining and varnishing the shell is fittedwith a transit plug for transport to the filling factory.The filling has been 50/50 Ammatol, with two explodersof tetryl with an
amorphous phosphorous smoke box, but recentlychanged over to straight T.N.T. with smoke box. The fuze usedis either No.ll7, requiring cap composition, lead azide and tetryl,No. 119 filled with cap composition, lead
azide, lead styphnateand tetryl.
_Fuze No. II7PROJECTILES, Q.F. 25-PR.TIPIQAL MARK|N§§H.E. STQEAMLINE SMOKE STREAMLINE_ Fuze No. 22!2 bAQHQQR PIERQING
-40-Star Shell - This projectile has recently been developed tofulfil an urgent operational requirement and production hasrecently commenced. This is an adaptation of the existingsmoke shell with cannisters removed, the
shell being filled witha star container attached to a parachute. The illuminatingstar burns for approximately one minute.Armour Piercing Shot — As its name implies the 25-Pdr. A.P.Shot is a steel missile with high
penetrative power. The shotis either cut off from a round bar of nickel chrome steel andthe nose forged to shape, or alternatively it is machined toshape direct from the bar. It is then finally machined andprovided with a
suitable hole in the base for the tracercomposition, and by suitable heat treatment is given therequisite penetrative properties.The tracer cavity is filled with tracer compositionand primer composition.Smoke Shell - This shell
is of forged steel requiring 30tons per square inch yield point and 45/S0 tons per squareinch breaking stress. It is fitted with a screwed base-plate which is blown off when the smoke containers areejected by the burster
charge in the nose end of the cavity.The driving band is nearer the base than in the H. E. Shelland consequently the length of streamline is reduced.The shell is fitted with a transit plug for transportto the Filling Factory. The
smoke composition consists of amixture of hexachlorethane calcium silicide and zinc oxide.The fuze used is No. 221 which requires cap composition, fuzepowder and gun powder.CARTRIDGEAs first practised in Australia
the manufacture ofCartridge cases consisted of a Cupping operation on a 200 ton .16" stroke crank press, followed by six drawing operations withan indent on a 1000 ton toggle press after the third draw. The4th, 5th and
6th draws were done on a 100 ton 50" stroke crankpress and the heading operation on 1500 ton hydraulic presses.The cases were semi—annealed on Holroyd type gas-fired semi-annealing machine before tapering on a
100 ton 24" stroke taperingpress.After manufacture had proceeded for approximately 12months, the number of drawing operations was reduced from six tofive. Over a further period of l5 months, the number was
 ' -~—‘-41-reduced successively from five to three drawing operations.,Indenting is now done after the first draw, and all drawing,with the exception of the final draw, is done on 200 ton crankpresses.From the
commencement of operations, trouble wasexperienced with cases drawing back on the punch owing to thestripping edge of die wearing. This resulted in a good dealof work being thrown on the case shop maintenance tool
roomsdue to the constant re-edging of the dies. The draw backsalso caused a high rate of tool breakage. In order to over-come these difficulties, a sliding type of stripping finger wasintroduced. This cut down the number of
draw backs considerably‘ but was not positive. Eventually, a hinged type of finger wasput into operation. This type is very positive and consequentlythe consumption of dies and punches was reduced. pAfter overcoming the
high rate of die usage becauseof edging, it was found that dies went out of use because ofwear of bore and angle. To overcome this, a good deal ofexperimenting was carried out with chroming of punches anddies. This
work resolved into two major problems :(1) preparation of tools for plating;_ (2) treatment of tools after plating.Eventually a satisfactory procedure was worked out and its adopt-ion has increased the life of individual tools by
as much as tentl.m€$ 0Machining of 25-Pdr. cases is carried out in two _' operations on two types of machines 2(1) Head turn;(2) mouth trim.The first operation is done on Capstan Lathes, and then thecase is transferred to
another lathe for trimming to length.EXPLOSIVESThe greater part of the various raw materials requiredto make these explosives are manufactured in Australia and stocksare held of other raw materials imported from
abroad. Certainraw materials will be required from the United Kingdom, Canada,Chile and the United States.n i
-43-NWUNITION BOXESAfter filling the fuzed shells are packed horizontallyin steel or wooden boxes, four per box, and are spaced by twosteel diaphragms clamped on each end, known as Clamp PackingN00 10Steel
Boxes — The steel Ammunition Box is made from 20 BG.either close annealed or black steel sheet. The body, sidesand bottom are embossed, then trimmed and notched, the endsfolded, and the clips and hinges rivetted
to the front andback in the "flat" prior to forming. Once formed, the twoends with handle clips, handles and strengthening platesalready rivetted in position are double lock seamed into thebody and the stiffening plates:pot
welded into position tocomplete the box. The lid is drawn, trimmed, notched andthen formed, and the corners welded. It is then rivettedto the hinges already in place on the box, after which it isspray painted, then
dried.Clamp Packing No. 1 consists of two diaphragms withfour blanked and drawn holes in each to support the nose andrear end of the shell. These diaphragms are assembled on acentral long clamp bolt. By means of
this clamp, the fourshells may be lifted from the box as a unit. The cver—alldimensions of the box are approximately 8" x 8" x 19", butit is not intended that the box be made water-tight.Clamp Packing No. 2 is similar to the
No. l but isdesigned to take the Smoke Shell.Wooden Box — The contents of this box are four 25-Pdr. Shells,H.E. Fuzed, in Clamp Packing No. 1. The box is of timberconstruction and is used alternatively to the steel box,
and wasdesigned for Australian use by the Design Division of the MasterGeneral of the Ordnance Branch when it was anticipated that theshell programme of the Commonwealth on this particular storewould be such that it
would not be possible to fully meet require-ments in the steel boxes.The wooden box follows in many features the typicalEnglish design, but in many others departs considerably, incorpor-ating those features usually found
in boxes initiated by theDesign Directorate.The external dimensions of the box are -1191! x ggn X egg!’the internal dimensions — _1'5" x 7%" x 7%"requiring in its manufacture a nett super feet content of timber
 i 1-43-of 5.9 super feet and as at present manufactured all portionsof the boxes may be either hardwood or softwood - Australiantimbers are being exclusively used. Modifications to thewooden box shortly to be adopted
and in accordance with newdrawings submitted by the Design Directorate will call for thebox to use softwood in certain sections and hardwood in othersections, the use of alternative species throughout the boxhaving been
eliminated for the purpose of adding additionalstrength where required to the boxes which previously were 4completely softwood. Any modifications adapted to the boxes,however, will not involve the use of other than
Australiantimbers. _' The method of attaching the lid is by means of afixed clamp at one end and a swing clamp attached at the otherend cf the box by a catch, the design of which has been rejectedby Design Directorate
and is not known on English designed boxes.The total number of boxes of the above type which have beenordered in Australia is 405,000 No., of which quantity 125,000will be manufactured in South Australia and 280,000
N0. inVictoria-
I_ — — z z ( * +rFig: 15SECTION Qr 25-Pdr. CASEandHIGH EXPLOSIVE PROJECTILEThe H.E. Projectile is illustratedfilled with T.N.T.
O ‘1r nose en. £STIIKII MEAD >- 'WAGNER»-iJTIIKII I‘l'IM- —‘__QUIZ’ QIING imu uoov.€vuuun |.n~rna.\um-LC-I. "I110 II —C-1. PIA-LIT-———I0‘|“l'1 GAP. Zo.‘J-|"2'A—’uouaocn '0'!°¢.'£§%\."“""° -':uonlnox.Zulu. monk”a4
sumo, cu.2 uncut.Z wmn unnec-,’‘l'MM‘I’@ 3 GIN.¢"DCI'$A1'$ ll-DI-I.—~—DI‘I@M’@ I ll—\l$AlIOIMIC-TIACIIEIILT. ._ —‘l'\|Il PAPER.moumanoun.. 'r.Z? I-\nu run.-=8-1!=2isiiUIQJPPF"II ‘Igf /cul. }$17! I.Ol1. Zmm an-ZRIO
I$~—-‘fiGill G.lI.\ANWLLCAI.-Z4 >-CARTIIOGI. Q-I2 I5 FDR.z CU’. IJATNEIIOAIO./nun Inc./canon: mar./coaorn rum.DOIN GI (All‘ flll IALL.PIIZ ‘WV.KNOCK INQI-\-A€KI§/ '.-nu. uqz. nu. coaom:w.oa1 1 mono. umm
Fig: 1625-Pdr CASEI_____________Sequunce of Manufacturing OperationsShowing 5-draw process which replaced a6-draw sequence.
REQUIREMENTS FROM OVERSEASforPROJECTS 468 and 4701 *1ACHIhE TOOLSNo further supplies of Machinefrom overseas.BALL and ROLLER BEARINGSTABLE of BEARINGSTools will be required|
_BearingItem TypeQuantityper Gun.QuantityOrdered.Delvd 0ex USAOutstandingex USA.1. R-340-LL 22. R-155 25. LS-12 24. XLS1-1/2 25. 09074/09194 210,80910,8094,1094,10942410,80910,8094,1095,688421424I
The quantities per gun shown above for items 1 and 2(wheel bearings) apply to the gun carriage and trailers - thenumber, of course, for spare hubs being l only per hub. Items3 and 4 being dial sight bearings are only used
on the guncarriages and not on the trailers. Item 5 is used in the packgun only and the quantity shown per gun is as above. While the
-47-total quantity required is shown as outstanding in U.S.A.,actually this requisition has not yet reached U.S.A. as thesebearings have only been called for recent1y,but some productionhas proceeded with bearings
provided temporarily by diversionor from local stocks.MATERIALSimported:—he following materials will be required to beLead AcetateAmorphous PhosphorousMercuryNitrateMineralSulphurof SodaJelly
Prepared in December, 1943byThe Overseas Procurement BranchTHE MINISTRY OF MUNITIONSA U S T R A L I A
i» __.._..=.._.._¢i.i_.-......._._.--.-__.-=4_i__,, ,-_ ~ . Y 1 " '\ — - .. ‘. . ' ,. 4 _Ln .. ‘ \ 1"‘.. " 1"";. _ _ \_ _ . A AQUNWEALTII IIFA AUSTRALIA if_ __.,-am.1 y- W 1maul‘ i Ministry of Munitions PIIIIJEBT N0. ........... ..... ....
............ \AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA , A (Di. if-/94%/_(/L34? v <>?Y£*i//‘ A Qu— — —__ —— — W . _ ‘H? " ,_I
25-Pdr. (es m.m.)ORDNANCE QUICK FIRING‘ MINISTRY 0f.l*J1UNITIONPROJECTS46881:470COPY NO 35././Q:/\?é'>§\y’§>’_
P R “ C E___ c F AProject Stories are written so that those specialistswho have the allotting of materials, machine tools, bearings andequipment can quickly get a non-technical glimpse of the wholeproject, and assess its
relationship to the war effort. Bythis means justification of the overseas requirements will beunderstood.This project story is different in that the projectis practically finished, and the only overseas requirementsare bearings
that had to be borrowed, and some chemicals forexplosives should further extensive ammunition orders be forth-coming; but it does show, however -l. That a major project, namely 971 guns and carriages(Page 55), and
5,465,000 rounds of ammunition, hasbeen completed according to schedule.2. That, owing to being unable to get the necessaryequipment quickly, all sorts of improvisationswere made (Figs. ll, 12, 15), and yet as soon
asmachine tools became available, they were usedeffectively.5. An example of how the munitions organisation hascoped with a major project through its own Ordnance,Ammunition and Filling Factories, and through
StateBoards of Area Management, and, in this case, itsDirectorates of Ordnance Production and GunAmunition, who placed orders with ma'or contractorsin non-governmental industry (Page 33$.4. An example of how
oo—opted scientists have beeninstrumental in the production of opticalmunitions in this country (Pages 28-52).
5. Finally, the evolution of the Light 25-Pdr.so necessary to ovsr—coms our common enemyin the Islands of the Pacific (Pages 20-27).
F O R E H 9 R DThe 25-Pdr. Gun requires no introduction; itsperformance in Africa, Italy and New Guinea is known tofriend and foe. It has been proved to be one of the mostsuccessful field guns in the world today and has
been usedby British and Dominion forces throughout this war, practicallywherever they have been in contact with an enemy.The Shortened Australian type has been developedfor particular purposes. It is probable in the
coming monthsthis specialised type will play as important a part in thestruggle, in the jungle of Burma and the Pacific Islands, asit has in New Guinea and as its famous prototype has done inother theatres.
C O N T E N T SAUTHORITY . . . . . .ORDNANCE Q.F- 25-Pdr. MarkIIHi story 0 0DescriptionOperationOrdnance .Carriage . . .Artillery Trailer . .Specification . - . .IO0CORDNANCE
QoFaV25"PdrvSHORTO0(AUST.O0)PageQ n 0 Q 7u0 0O I0 IMARK IHistory . . . .Description . - .Comparative FeaturesSpecification . . .OSIGHTING GEAROptical Glass ProductionDial Sighting Gear . -Telescopic Sighting
GearPRODUCTIONStandard 25—Pdr. . . .ShOI“b 25-Pdt‘. I 0 0 0AMUNITIONProjectiles . . - -Cartridge . - . . .Explosives . . . . .Ammunition Boxes . . .0O OO OPI0DOI00O00QOIUIII IO IO IQ 0O II II OO U0
OI00uII9ll12121513I82O202327285132533438404142J
CONTENTS (Contd. )REQUIREMENTS FROM OVERSEASBall and Roller BearingsPageI I O I C C I I I\/itérials 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 a
Fig:Fig:Fig:Fig:Fig:Fig:Fig:Fig:Fig:Fig:Fig:Fig:Fig:Fig:Fig:Fig:0J<O‘:O'1rF>CA|.\>)—'910111215141516I L L U S T R A T I O N SOrdnance Q.F. 25—Pdr. Mark II . .Carriage of 25-Pdr. — side viewCarriage of 25-Pdr. - rear
viewArtillery Trailer . . . . .Ordnance Q.F.25-Pdr. Short(Aust.)Mubo Valley, New Guinea . . - . . .Short 25-Pdr. knocked down for transportShort 25-Pdr. Gun in course of transportUpper: By truckLower: By air . . . . . . . .Short
25-Pdr. Gun in New GuineaUpper: In the Finnistere MountainsLower: Bogged in a swamp . - .Dial Sight and Carrier . .Machine Tool improvisationII H NIOIIOO2:.Q7'1K‘:I-I0N H ll0I0U25—Pdr. Q.F. Projectiles . . .Section of
25-Pdr. Case and H.E.Projectile . . . . . - . . . .25-Pdr- Case - Sequence of manufacturingoperations . . . . . . . . . .Page81014172122242526Z9553637394445
A U T H O R I T YOn 18th January, 1940, at a meeting of WarCabinet it was decided that approval be given to theexpansion of the Munitions Factory Organisation to. provide capacity for 25-Pdn Guns-This report has been
prepared in collaborationand with the approval of theDepartment of the Army.
Fig: 1‘ ORDNANCE QUICK FI_RING 25-PDR. MARK II@_, 7 ___ W _L—7———7 ~
K___ __inMM’1;1
%»>;§’\vC O M M O N W E A L T7H of A U S T R A L I AM I N I S T R Yy of M U N I T I 0 N SP R O J E C T4 6 825-PDR. (es m.m.) QUICK F131:-as GUN HCRNITZEROrdnance Q.F. 25-Pdr. Mark IICarriage 25-Pdr. Mark
ITrailers Artillery No. 27 Mark IHISTORY/Guns and Howitzers are each designed for a specialpurpose. The first has a flat trajectory and usuall a hi hY Smuzzle velocity. The latter can fire a projectile at ahigh elevation so
that it will fall almost vertically uponthe target, but is not suitable for firing at long ranges.A gun is capable of being aimed accurately at thetarget with the minimum of elevation and consequently in thecase of moving targets
can strike with the minimum of error,a howitzer, on the other hand, cannot be aimed at the targetin the same manner.
Fig: 2§ARRIAGE of 25-Pdr. GUNSide View
. / .\_\ \\_‘V Sight opcruing um.3'7, ‘TSiddlc.ring gear./ ' \_,0 ‘ - - \ ‘, ~ L sm\¢A-Qqé» % L i' <= --*9 <4 \ / f av!.L._,._.._- j ql 4 , __ \ -' ' - I .;-§~§¢,'"='- "' O‘'l4I§'an‘Us,1:t<______.CARRIAGE, Z5-PR.,MARK 1GENERAL
Alnmcwzrcf. V/ae'»o nzcon. _ _ __I /‘.»»~-I--__ . Elzvatms 3r~¢ :_)=::::_5:w' " ‘/-D“Q-A5" I ' -Z.“ J '_ V O EI¢vAt,|n9 hand whz¢l.__:5v_'0Front cup,' '3' "-'1 _@h."'l- \°q.Q 4 \°,(. ITr apzye braclmk ’4' . ,_ VT,2:, ‘ V Ii: "Q ‘G
._;@551».'-.\1 H A____ ‘F 1 1117‘-.".' - -( '\~ , - Q '- ,1?-r-. Slnld M /"5 ‘i 1"“ L", ‘ '- ~— ""-~‘-YTTT ' ‘. {g U Y § ._\/ A :4: i,_ -\ _ “:2,\ ‘ ' / \‘ ' \' -/ . . I7‘' \ '.~“-v_ _“‘{ ‘rin tFo1m ~ . " *1 ‘ ' - -R3 PI‘ ' \ K/V6 Loclun ate: \'; . _ '
_-7; "“\/Q SP] '~"‘”* -K W’ ‘ L Firing-platform connect-.in9 stay. Span»; bu-— "—"‘ » . . ,.. \ ' 43.?5»?
7 77' W — -11-The 25-Pdr. was designed in Great Britain. Itsupersedes the l8-Pdr. Gun and the 4.5 inch howitzer.Consequently, the 25-Pdr. is aptly termed a Gun—H0witzerand the success with which it has met in this war
fully »justifies its inclusion as a standard weapon for BritishArmies-DESCRIPTION — GeneralThe 25-Pdr. Gun-Howitzer is a medium velocity fieldpiece of semi-automatic quick fire, with a solid wishbonetrail and detachable
turntable. As its designation implies,it can be used as a straight field gun at moderate elevation.It is particularly effective with high explosive or smokeshell and is also useful with armour piercing shot as a tank-attack gun.
As a tank-attack weapon the 25-Pdr. is particularlyefficient if fitted with a platform and foot firing gear. Itcan also be employed successfully on counter battery work onaccount of its long range..The gun has four charges
which enable it to fireover intervening crests an to search steep slopes withoutdiminishing the maximum range. The four charges are knownas Charges I, II, III and Super.TABLE OFMUZZLE VELOCITIES & MAXIMUM
RANGESCHARGE M.V. IN FEET PER MAX. RANGE IN— SECONDYARDSI 650_ 11 975, 111 1,450SUPER 1,7005,9007,00011,80013,400
-13-OPERATIONThe gun is operated normally by a crew of six, isused in troops of four and can be deployed very rapidly. Thestandard time laid down by the War Office for the deploymentfor a troop under good conditions
from receipt of orders bythe troop commander to the moment the first round is fired is8 minutes-The 25-Pdr. is capable of a high rate of fire, anda well trained gun crew can fire 10-12 rounds per minute.This high rate of fire
cannot be maintained for any lengthof time, the best that can be expected is about 6-8 roundsper minute. The highest standard rate laid down for periodsof any length is 5 rounds per minute. The life of a barrelis estimated
at 10,000 rounds. The gun is fitted with aremovable barrel - the old barrel can be removed and a new onefitted. This can be done in the field in a few hours withouttaking the gun off its position. ‘ORDNANCEBarrel - The
Mark II gun body is of steel and consists of anauto—frettaged loose barrel, jacket and removable breech ring.The barrel is tapered on the exterior from rear to front foralmost the whole length except for the front end which
has aslight muzzle swell, whilst the rear has a flange to butt againstan internal shoulder in the jacket, thus preventing longitudinalmovement. To prevent the barrel rotating when in position twosemicircular recesses are out
in the periphery of the flangeinto which fits two securing screws on the jacket.The Auto-Frettage Process - This is a process which givesdesirable characteristics of strength and wear to heavy steeltubes. It consists of
expanding the tube radially by applyinghydraulic pressure to the bore; the pressure used is sufficientto exceed the elastic limit of the metal in the bore. Thisaction causes the metal in the bore to yield plastically andmaintain
a permanent set. The outer layers which are notstressed beyond their elastic limit attempt to return to theiroriginal dimensions. The result is much the same as when steelhoops are shrunk on the outside of a tube. The inner
wall isin a state of residual compression, and the outer wall in a
Vi?’ 777-15-state of residual tension, resulting from the cold workingreceived during the process.As performed on the 25-Pdr. gun barrel, the twoends of the barrel are counterbored, and after carefullychecking the bore, the
barrel is inserted in the Auto-Frettage plant, being held in position by sleeves insertedin the counterbore. Lead and rubber packings are used toseal the bore. The barrel is connected at one end to ahigh pressure pump, and
at the other end to a pressuregauge. Glycerine is then applied to the bore under pressurewhich is indicated on the pressure gauge. Dial indicatorsassembled at four points along the barrel indicate theexpansion of the barrel
under pressure, and a gauge standingin the centre of the barrel indicates deflection. Readingsare taken and plotted on a standard chart.Since Auto-Frettaged barrels are unstable, theyare aged or followed by a low
temperature heat-treatment.If over tension is followed by a low temperature annealthe steel recovers and the elastic limit increases to a 4value equal to or greater than the auto—frettaging pressure.After annealing the
barrel is again returned to the auto-frettaging set up for a test pressure, and if any irregul-arity has been caused by the treatment it can be noted atthis time. After the pressure is removed, readings aretaken on the outside
diameter and in the bore at the samefour points.Breech - The breech mechanism is of the vertical slidingblock type, opened and closed by a breech mechanism leverthrough the actuating shaft and crank. The crank, which
isfitted with two rollers, slides in a groove formed in therecess for the reception of the breech block. The block isretained in the open position by means of the extractorlevers, the hooks of which engage shoulders formed
towardsthe upper end of the front face of the breech block, whenthe block is lowered, being held against the shoulders bythe action of the buffer on the toe of the breech mechanismlever. The extractors are released by the
insertion of acartridge, allowing the action of the bufferspring topartially close the block, thus preventing the cartridgefrom slipping backwards when the gun is at a high angleof elevation. Obturation is obtained by the
cartridgecase expanding radially against the walls of the chamberon firing.
Fig: 3CARRIAGE of Z5—Pdr. GUNRear View
gight ap‘ Firing handle. V /--— Shidd _Sight. ’Traver-sing hand wheel.-§_% _Handspikc brackets.4I ! /—- Brake hand lever1,_. n»\
1-15-Particulars of Ordnance IMaterialWeight estimated withbreech mechanismLength -TotalBarrelBore -CalibreLengthChamber -Capacity (total effectiveLength to base ofprojectileTrnvel of projectileRifling -
SystemLengthTwistGrooves —NumberDepthWidthFiring MechanismSteel1,000 lbs.97.473 inches92.51 "3.45 inches92.375 "151 cu. inches14.47 inches77.905 "Polygroove, plainsection.74.235 inchesUniform 1 turn in
20calibres.260.04 inches0.2777 inchesPercussionFirin - The method of firinr is bi ercussion o erated bE e J P P Ya lever attached to the carriage.CARRIAGE - The Mark I carriage is designed for use withmechanised
traction and is constructed to give 40° elevationand 5° depression of the gun, coupled with a traverse of 4°right or left of a centre line without disturbing the trail.The traverse is effected by causing the saddle, with cradleand
gun to move over the top surface of the trail sidebrachets, whilst the front cf the saddle pivots on the trail.Saddle - The saddle is the traversing portion of the carriageand forms an intermediary between the trail and the
cradle.pradle -— The cradle carries the gun and the recoil arrange-ments, the whole pivoting vertically in the saddle by meansof trunnions.L
1 W-15-Recoil System - This comprises a hydraulic buffer to regulate¥EZ'?EE3ET"W€th a hydro-pneumatic recuperator toreturn thegun tc the run-out position and retain it there. The necessarygear is contained in a cylinder
block carried under the gunwithin the cradle. The cylinder block is attached to the gunand recoils with it, the piston rods being secured to the cradlecap and remaining stationary. Thu buffer is of the controlledand graduated
pressure type having a cut—off gear and rotatingvalve. The function of the cut-off gear being to shorten therecoil as the elevation increases. There is no external gravitytank but a longitudinal boring in the cylinder block
performs thesame purpose. The recuperator consists of nne liquid cylinderin which operates a piston and one high pressure cylinder contain-ing a floating piston. The retarding valve is fitted in theliquid cylinder and the two
cylinders are connected by means ofa radial channel. The liquid and air in the high pressurecylinder are separated by the floating piston.Wheels and Axles - The pneumatic detachable wheels with anti-friction hubs are
secured by means of their stub axles to theplates or stub axle supporting brackets of the crossbar. Thebrake operating gear works by means of a hand lever on the righthand side of the carriage.firing Platform - A firing
platform is attached to the gunby means of two stays bracketed on to the trail. It is inthe form of a wheel with a flange projecting upwards, thediameter of which is the same as that of the track of thecarriage wheels. It is
carried under the trail and whenrequired is lowered to the ground and the carriage is hauledover it to the rear, so allowing rapid all-round traverse foranti-tank shooting. To prevent the spade becoming embedded,a box is
placed over it, so allowing easy traverse over theground.The platform consists principally of a rim, andconnecting links consisting of cross bar, platform stays,locking links, connecting bars and connecting eyes. It issecured
to the trail for travelling by means of a lever andchains which attach to hooks on the rim of the platform; thelever, when pressed down, holds the platform tight againstthe trail.Firing Gear - The foot firing gear (Aust.) is a
localmodification and consists of a foot pedal attached to thecrossbar operating on a cam pivotted through the cradletrunnions. The cam forces back a firing rod which bears
Fig: 4ARTILLERY TRAILER N0. 27
Q IBrake handLinnq handle I /alidchment hookkeg pldke2
 -13-against the toe of the firing lever. The gear is fitted fortank attack shooting andon traversing and elevating hand—wheels.ARTILLERY TRAILERThe trailer is used in conjunction with the carriagestores. Two trailers
connected byto carry ammunition andpermits the layer to retain both handsmeans of the perch of the rear one, comprise the ammunitiontrailers of a section and are normally referred to as ammunitiontrailers, front and
rear.The trailer can be employed either as thetrailer or as the front or rear ammunition trailer.carriageIt hasan amunition box designed to carry 32 rounds in l6 trays.The trailer consists of _l. Amunition Box2. Trail Bumpers5.
Axletree4. Stub Axles5. Wheels p6. Perch7. Towing Arrangement8. Brake Operating Gear.1SPECIFICATIONl Gun and Carriage -\\ ' Carriage (without gun stores orfiring platform) .. .. .. .. .. ..Gun and Carriage .. .. .. -. ..
..Pressure of trail on ground .. .. .. ..Weight on point of perch -Limbered up .. .. .. .. .. ..Unlimbered .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Height -Top of shield -Firing position .. .. .. .. ..Height -Axis of gun . .. .. .. .. .. ..Axle .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Clearance .. ..
.. .. .. .. ..the following principal parts :-2; lbs-5,968 lbs.157 lbs.73 lbs! lbs-66.75"46.125"16.3125"13.5"L —
Length -Carriage & Trailer muzzle toperch eye .. .- .. .. .. .. 510-75"Wheels —Diameter .. .. .. ..Width of tyre .. .- ..Width of track .- .. ..Maximum width of carriage over axleLocking angle, carriage and trailRecoil (metal to
metal) .. .-Nominal length of recoil —Zero .- .- .. .. ..Maximum elevation .. .. .-Maximum force of recoil -Zero (charge 3) .. .. ..Maximum elevation (super chargePressure in air reservoir . ..Total liquid in recuperator ..Allowance
for leakage .. ..GT>11Total liquid in buffer cylinder andoil reservoir . .. .. ..Maximum elevation .. .. ..Maximum depression .. .. ..Traverse R and L .. .. ..Turns of hand wheel per degree —E1€Va.tiQl'1 0 0 1 0 n n Q ITraversing
.- .. .. ..One turn of hand wheel —E/].@VatiOl'l 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0TrZ1VeI'Slng an cu II onArtillery TrailerWithout stores and ammunition ..With stores .. .. .. ..With stores and amunition .-Pressure of perch —On ground -trailer
loaded ..On trailer hook -trailer loaded ..Length of perch ..Width .. .. .. .. ..Height .. .. .. .. ..Wheel track - centre to centre» Greatest projection beyond wheelWheel tyre (inches) .. ..
..trackonDO00IOIQOIontoI0InOII0OIOIOI00COO0IIonClOI00IIOI34"9|}70.5"85.5"50° L. 50° R.42!!56"20"7,280 lbs.-2O,l6O lbs.600 lbs. persq. inch9 pintsl pint15 pints40°50400.892 turns2 turns1.12°so’2,065 lbs-2,233
lbs.5,209 lbs.127 lbs.56 lbs,129"83"48"7001631;"
"9$5’3'C O M M O N W'E A L T H of A U S T R A L I AMINISTRY of MUNITIONSPROJECT N0. 47025—Pdr. (88 m.m.) SHORT (AUST.) QUICK FIRING GUN HOWITZEROrdnance Q.F. 25—Pdr. Short (Aust.) Mark
ICarriage 25-Pdr. Light (Aust.) Mark IHISTORYThe 25-Pdr. Quick Firing Gun Howitzer because of itsweight and size is unsuited to jungle and other kinds of warfarewhere strategic conditions, particularly in mountainous
andrough country, require that, if field artillery is to achievemaximum effectiveness, it must necessarily be capable of beingquickly broken down into comparatively light units for trans-portation and quick re~assembly. The
25-Pdr. Short Gun wasdeveloped to meet these special requirements.DESCRIPTIONThe design of each section or assembly had to be inaccordance with weight requirements for dropping from aircraftand for pack by Jeep
over rough terrain, as required for exist-ing conditions in intense jungle warfare in the islands to theNorth of Australia. Whilst the main problem - in common withall guns - was the design of the ordnance to obtain the
desiredballistic qualities, it was necessary to reduce the length ofthe recoil of the standard 25-Pdr. recuperator by approximatelyone half. It was fortunate the 25-Pdr. recoil system hadalready been redesigned in order that a
standard 25-Pdr. Guncould be mounted in the Australian Cruiser tank as time was suchan important factor. Wherever practicable standard 25—Pdr.parts were incorporated in the design.I r
Fig: 5ORDNAKCE QUICK FIRING 25-Pdr. SHORT (AUST.) MARK I
7'1%‘
 Fig: 6MUBO VALLEY, NEW GUINEAThis illustration shows tho mountainous country,running up to 18,000 foot, und the hoavy vegetationthut mmkt the 25-Pdr. Short Gun essential. Heavyfighting took plucc hero in August,
1945. I
-23-The weight factor of each group of components orassemblies was all-important to facilitate transport, droppingfrom aircraft by parachute, and handling during dismantling andre-assembly. In this connection all groups
are under 300 lbs.,with the exception of the Trail (front half) - 561 lbs. and theRecoil System - 408 lbs. This latter item has been the subjectof re-design on the basis of welded fabrication whereby theweight will be reduced
to 326 lbs. approximately. Both gunsfire the same ammunition.The Short 25-Pdr. Gun Howitzer is.a medium velocitysemi-automatic quick firing field weapon, wdth a solid wishbonetrail. The ordnance which comprises a
loose barrel jacket,breech ring and breech mechanism, is standard with the 25-Pdr.field equipment (see Page 12) except that the loose barrel hasbeen reduced to approximately half the normal length and therecuperator is
shortened back to the middle bearing support.The trail is of a very light pattern and is fitted with twolight weight rubber tyred wheels.The carriage includes the shortened recuperator, cradle,saddle, elevating and traversing
gears, sights, trail, axle andwheels. A limited number of detachable turntable platformswill be provided for special cases.COMPARATIVE FEATURESThe following table will give some comparisons betweenthe standard
25—Pdr. Gun Howitzer and the short 25—Pdr. GunHowitzer.COMPARATlVE FEATURES of GUNS_ ;-1 _ 'Features Standard ShortGun Howitzer ~ Gun Howitzer.Gross Weight 4,144 lbs. 2,914 lbs. 1Length of Barrel 92.51"
49.825"Length of Recoil 40" 20"Maximum elevation 40° 40°Maximum depression 5° 5°Muzzle velocity-ft.per sec. 650-1700 (b)Maximum range, yards 5, 900-15, 400 (b)/\/-\/-\/-\O O S9 97\/\_/\/\/(a) Same saddle for both
guns.(b) These closely approximate the performance of the Standard Gun.(c) See page 11,
Fig: 7SHORT 25-Pdr. GUNBroken down for transport
_ _\‘ _ ‘\_ _ _Q \_‘_ L__ _’ xI _ ’_ _N > y _ qM _ * H__ '_ \ _ __ ‘J: __ J“ _ _§ ‘__id 1‘ > >__ _ u _v LL N __ _ 0%_ _‘ __ v_ {Ad‘L JV“ Ml ' My__ __‘‘_ _V_ i_ ‘ ___> >L , My _ ‘ '_%__,W_G_“__ *v@ M _ _> _ _ I__, ’Y H ‘;_ __
__
Fig: 8SHORT 25-Pdr. GUN IN COURSE OF TRANSPORTUpper: Gun strippud of components in truckbeing desputched tu Airport.Lower: Gun in Dcuglas Transport Avroplane.
_ Au‘__ ‘ vI_) _“l _ _ \ _ I“_ /If AI Y _ILA _L‘ ’ Q “‘Q _ ‘_ __ _d‘v_v l _ V@___m'____ _ J W14? _ K‘ t h _ A‘ a 3\ ‘%_‘/ i I‘ \__ f\\ 1\__\\\ _ L \\\\_\\_|!rI_\ ‘ /’ ll
Fig: 9SHORT 25-Pdr. GUN in NEW GUINEAUpper:Lower:Crossing river in tha FinnistaroMountains-In spita of its lighter wuight thanthe Standard Gun, the Shirt 25-Pdr.Gun gets bogged in a swampy area-
‘$1. "-'/‘-4... _.67\..---35" Ll--» _.- . -q~~ >~,,~ \r" ._.".\.-/" .
-37-SPECIFICATIONSince the fundamental reascn for producing the shorttype of the 25-Pdr. was to enable the components to be transportedeither by air or by Jeep, it is evident that the weights of thesecomponents form a
very vital feature contributing to the successof this weapon. The following table will illustrate what hasbeen achieved to make the saving in weight a feature of this gun.Sectional Weights for 25-Pdr. Short GunComponent
Parts -BarrelMuzzle CapJacketBreech RingBreech BlockBreech MechanismStriker CaseTrail, Front HalfTrail, Rear HalfSaddle and Elevating Gear (less Arc)Cradle, Cradle Cap and ArcRecoil System, filled with l7 lbs. of
oilDial Sight Carrier and Sight operating GeVery fragile - requires separate and sppackingAxle and Wheel Arcs, 89 lbs. eachWheel, Hub and Brake Gear 2 @ 150 lbs.These are dropped separately and markedL and R for
quick assemblyCastor WheelStores TrayDitching Tools HolderTraversing GearTOTAL:ARTILLERY TRAILERThe Short 25-Pdr. has no traile240511955925._Y.arecialr
attachedLbs27125728256120322628340877178260413221142,914
-28-S I G H T I N G G E A RQPTICAL GLASS PRODUCTIONAustralian industrial initiative, brought intoextraordinary prominence by war conditions, was forced to solvemany problems, but none so grave as the threat to
one featurevital to the successful manufacture of munitions. It wasobvious that transition from peace time manufacturing to themaking of munitions would be incomplete - harmfully incomplete -unless adequate supplies of
optical glass were available.Optical glass was required for telescopic sights and dial sights(for guns), signalling telescopes, rangefinders, ring—sighttelescopes (to compute the speed of aeroplanes in flight), flash~spotters
(to take bearings of enemy guns at night), intrcscopes(elongated microscopes for interior inspection of gun barrels),and various optical appliances designed to aid the Services.Some glass was obtained from Great Britain
and the United States,but delays in supply and uncertain transport from overseas forcedupon the Ministry of Munitions a problem so acute that evenspectacle lenses were used to meet optical munitions requirements.Again,
even blocks of glass for the prisms of tank periscopes hadto be made by welding together sheets of plate glass. It was allvery crude, and, of course, inadequate. Requiring purity in rawmaterials, and learning of an entirely
new production technique,the making of optical glass represented work of a character neverbefore exploited in Australia.It having been decided, in the second half of 1940,to undertake the manufacture of optical munitions
in Australia,an Optical Munitions Panel was established. At an early stagethe Optical Munitions Panel advised that, to serve as raw mater-ials for the various lenses and prisms, at least four types ofoptical glass would be
required in quantity. To provide thesetypes of optical glass involved solving a production problemlong the jealously guarded monopoly of a limited number ofEuropean, British and American firms. That success was
obtainedwas due to close co-operation between Professor E.J.Hartung ofthe Chemistry Department of the University of Melbourne, andProfessor A. L. McAulay of the Department of Physics of theUniversity of Tasmania,
who performed all the necessary researchwork and made all the glasses experimentally. In addition,L L
Fig: 10DIAL SIGHT, CARRIER, and SIGHTIHG TELESCOPEused with 25—PdI'. Standard Short Guns. Allparts, including optics, made in Australia.4 h
E _I-> ‘:>_w" 'i5l=1_\\I ~ \§,\=s/V zr 37;‘ff, ."‘ __,rA/ .
 _the U.S. National Bureau of Standards, Washington, generallyfurnished details of the techniques used there, so saving muchvaluable time.There were two main problems. In the first placeit was essential to obtain
suitable raw materials for the glasses.Secondly, it would have been impossible to make satisfactoryprogress in the handling of the essential sands and other mater-ials without suitable fire-clays for the pots. Fine quality
sand,already in regular use for making flint glass for table ware, wasavailable in quantity. Containing less than 0.01 per cent. ironoxide, this sand proved to be ideal for the making of opticalglasses which were free from
colour and turbidity. Other rawmaterials of high purity were soon located and removed further‘ anxiety in this respect.Having found materials suited to their purpose, thescientists then directed their main experimental
investigationsto the selection of suitable pot-clays. About 80 specimens,obtained from various parts of Australia, were subjected to testsas to refractoriness under load, shrinkage, chemical composition,covering particularly
iron and titanium, texture and workability.Elimination of some 70 clay specimens left about ten clays formore exhaustive examination. Suitably blended and fashionedinto small open pots, holding about 2 lb. of glass each,
theywere fired in a small gas furnace specially built for the purposeat the Melbourne University. The glass batch was introducedthrough a silica tube into the pots at 140000. until theglass was in quite fusion. After stirring
with a silica rod,the pot was heated at a steady temperature (usually l45O°C.) fortwelve hours, cooled down, cracked open, and the glass examinedfor pot contamination.. It was impossible to make optically homogeneous
glassin such small pots, but no difficulty was experienced in ascertain- 'ing the resistance of the clays to glass attack and_their generalquality under the severe test conditions. Owing to the bettervolume-surface ratio which
would be obtained in large pots andthe lower and more controllable temperatures to which they wouldbe exposed, it was felt by Professor Hartung that the results ofthese tests could be applied with safety to the construction
ofsuitable large pots. Pot-making and optical glass productionannexes were established by Australian Consolidated IndustriesLtd. Using the results of the small scale experiments, it wasfound possible to slip-cast the large
pots and dry them readyfor the pct-arch in about six weeks. As these pots could beraised to the temperature of the melting furnace in 4%-days agreat saving in time was thereby accomplished.i
-51.-The pot-making and optical glass production annexeswere specially designed and constructed to facilitate handlingand reduce labour to a minimum. Shift problems and operatingcosts were reduced by introducing well
planned melting schedulesand a simple and efficient stirring equipment completed an outfitequal to producing first-quality optical glass. Followinginspection of the pot contents, the chunks of glass are softenedand moulded
into the required blanks in special steel mouldswhich yield a very clean product, thus requiring only smalltolerances. Electric annealers are used to treat the blanksbefore they are finally inspected. A yield of from 55 to 60per
cent. of useable glass per pot, mostly of very high quality,must be noted as practical evidence of the success obtained.Measurements made by the National Standards Laboratoryof Australia disclose remarkable consistency
in optical propertiescf the glass from various parts of an individual pot. Also, theyshow very satisfactory freedom from striation or other blemish.Again, tests carried out on eight consecutive melts showed inapprec-iable
differences in mean refractive index and dispersion. Theglasses now being produced fall in properties well within thetolerances set by the Optical Munitions Panel. Thus, aftertireless research, involving myriad tests, the
basic secretswere uncovered by Australian Scientists and full scale productionof fine quality optical glass duly became an accomplished fact.N0 longer need the Comonwealth look to overseas makers for suppliesof this
product. The industry has reached the stage when Aust-ralian-made optical glass is not only used for all optical munitionsmade in this country, but has even been exported to other countries.25-PDR. DIAL SIGHTING
GEARThe sights are carried on the left side of the carriageand comprise a carrier udth a range scale in the form of a cone,sight clinometer and No. 7 to 7C dial sight.The dial sight is used for laying for direction andgives an
all-round field of view. The range scale is set tothe range and the sight clincmeter to the angle of sight, inorder to complete the laying for elevation. Provision is,however, made for the necessary adjustments in this plane.
Thesights are reciprocating, that is to say, they can be cross-levelled in such a manner as to retain their verticality whenthe wheels of the carriage are out of level, up to a limit of tendegrees either way, and so corrects for
the error in line whichwould otherwise ensue. A cross-level bubble, with cross-levell-ing gear, effects the correction, the oscillating bracket being
i __ _ ______hinged to the supporting bracket for this purpose. Further-more, the correction for drift is automatically applied by theact of cross-levelling, owing to the cross~level bubble beingset at an inclination by the cam
of the drift scale plate (thedrift angle) to the true transverse axis of the oscillatingbracket, resulting in the oscillating bracket being tilted atthis angle to the vertical, when the bubble is central.The carriage is, therefore,
provided with the followingsighting arrangements :-Sight operating gearNo.7 to 7C dial sight carrier, No.18.No.7 to 7C dial sight.Sight Clinometer.25—PDR. TELESCOPIC SIGHTING GEAR25-Pdr. Guns up till the present
time have beenequipped with sighting telescopes made in Australia but ofEnglish design, telescopes Nos. 22 C and 124 LP being used.Further sighting telescope No. 29, which is made in Englandand imported, has been
used. It is, however, hoped that asighting telescope of purely Australian design and manufacturewill prove satisfactory when it has merged from its presentexperimental stage. This telescope will be known as No. 141.It is of
standard external dimension with a magnification of 3and a field of view of 12°. Its mechanical construction includesnameans of throwing into instant use any one of a range ofinbuilt light filters, a feature which is very
desirable, asthis telescope will be used under greatly varying weatherconditions. The filters are of varying types, and are designedto eliminate difficulties caused by the glare of bright sunshineoff reflecting surfaces,
difficulties in penetrating haze. Theyalso throw into relief any objective which may be merged, in sofar as colour is concerned, into the background. In addition,the mechanical design is aimed at ease of production, this
beingthe result of the combined efforts of (1) the Army who specifythe overall requirements, (2) the Scientific Authorities whocompute the optical system, and (3) experienced design engineerswhose detailed mechanical
design is based upon the equipmentmost readily procurable or available for the project.The design is now approaching finalisation and it isanticipated that this telescope, although mechanically morecomplex than any other
gun sighting telescope, will soon be inquantity production.
P R O D U C T I O NforMMP. 468 and 470STANDARD 25-PDR. GUNThe total order from he Australian Army received byMunitions was for 971 and planning was developed on the basisthat the Ordnance Factory at
Maribyrnong would manufacture 420Barrels, whilst Industry would produce the 971 Carriages andall Stores and Equipment, and arrange assembly of the Guns.At a later stage, Industry would come into production of
theremaining 551 barrels relieving the Ordnance Factory at Mari-byrnong of this part of the project.As regards the set-up in Industry, it was decided toestablish two complete units, one in N.S.W; for which the majorco-
ordinating contractor would be General Motors-Holden's Ltd.,at Pagewood, and the other in Victoria - major co-ordinatingcontractor Charles Ruwolt Pty. Ltd.. the former to undertake485 carriages and later 275 barrels,
whilst the latter wouldproduce 486 carriages and later 276 barrels, each to establishproduction rate of 10 complete equipments per week. Principalsub-contractors to the N.S.W. unit were - Australian Iron andSteel, for barrel
and reouperator block ibrgings, the ColonialSugar Refining Co., were to make barrels, J.N.Kirby Ltd.. onrecuperators, Chubb's on breech blocks, etc., etc. - whilst inVictoria the major sub-contractors were Ford Motor Co..
Geelongand Thompson's Engineering Works, Castlemaine.- Initial production of complete equipments was achievedin June 1941, that is within 12 months of the order being placedon contractors, who had had no previous
experience of this phaseof precision mass production. The rate of 80 per month wasachieved and sustained during 1942, and the programme for 971equipments has gone through substantially as planned. The totalnumber
of guns ordered by the Australian Army is 971.
lSHORT 25- .PDR GUNOn account of the experience which Charles Ruwolt Pty.Ltd., had had in manufacturing the standard 25—Pdr. Guns, andbecause they had both the plant and the organisation, they werechosen as
the Contractor for the Short 25-Pdr. Gun. The totalnumber of Guns ordered by the Australian Army, including onepilot model, is two hundred and thirteen.u-—n—un--_____J
Fig: llMACHINE TOOL IMPROVISATION DEVISED BYCharles Ruwolt Pty. Ltd.This Screw Thread Milling attachment was developedfor the 25—Pdr. Gun Project. It is mainly usedfor threading recuperator block counter
bores.This machine has saved the use of several (and atthe time unobtainuble) High Centre Lathes, it alsosimplified an otherwise difficult operation‘
I
Fig: 12OMACHINE TOOL IMPROVISATION DEVISED BYCharles Ruwolt Fty. Ltd=Used for machining radial guideways on the 25—Pdr.Gun trail. The use of this machine saved theinstallation of several Horizontal Boring
Millsand saved manpower by putting the work into thehands of trainee labour.
Fig: 15MACHINE TOOL IMPROVISATION DEVISED BYCharles Ruwolt Pty. Ltd.An adaptation of a Standard Lathe, whereby withthe addition cf a 5—spindle gear box, new box typesaddle etc., the three main holes in the
25~Pdr.Recuperator were draw-bored simultaneously withunskilled labour.
,1>.; ,_. », I ‘___ >. , N- . "\ 2. --.- ‘ _ . ~-*4L
~58-A M M U N I T I O NforMMP. 468 and 470The 25-Pdr. Gun Howitzer uses separate amunition, i.e.the cartridge and the shell are loaded separately, Up to earlyNovember, 1945, the Australian Army had ordered the
followingquantities of amunition from the Ministry of Munitions:-Smoke Shell 594,500 roundsStar Shell 10,000 "High Explosive Shell 5,550,500 "Armour Piercing Shot 328,000 "Cartridges 5,465,000 —--The explosive
factories in Australia are capable ofproducing the necessary explosives for the filling of thecartridges and four types of projectiles, i.e., High ExplosiveShell, Smoke Shell and Armour Piercing Shot, Star Shell.PROJECTILES
.High Explosive Shell - The empty shell is forged from steelrequiring tensile properties of l9 tons per square inch yieldpoint, 56/48 tons per square inch breaking stress, with finishedforged cavity, stream-lined and fitted with
a rivetted base-p1ate- After machining and varnishing the shell is fittedwith a transit plug for transport to the filling factory.The filling has been 5Q/50 Amatol, with two explodersof tetryl with an amorphous phosphorous
smoke box, but recentlychanged over to straight T.N.T. with smoke box. The fuze usedis either No.ll7, requiring cap composition, lead azide and tetryl,N0. 119 filled with cap composition, lead azide, lead styphnateand
tetryl.
%_Fig: 1425-Pdr. Q. F. PROJECTILESThe H.E. Projectile is illustrated filledwith T.N.T.
~ ‘ 0PRO}ECTlLES. Q.F. 25-PR.TYHCAL MARHNGSH.E. STREAMUNE SMOKE STREAMLINE“WT H_ Fuze No. II7_ Fuze No. 22!‘-1-4264ARMOUR PIERCING
-04 onStar Shell - This projectile has recently been developed tofulfil an urgent operational requirement and production hasrecently commenced. This is an adaptation of the existingsmoke shell with cannisters removed, the
shell being filled witha star container attached to a parachute. The illuminatingstar burns for approximately one minute.Armour Piercing Shot — As its name implies the 25-Pdr. A.P.Shot is a steel missile with high
penetrative power. The shotis either cut off from a round bar of nickel chrome steel andthe nose forged to shape, or alternatively it is machined toshape direct from the bar. It is then finally machined andprovided with a
suitable hole in the base for the tracercomposition, and by suitable heat treatment is given therequisite penetrative properties.The tracer cavity is filled with tracer compositionand primer composition.Smoke Shell - This shell
is of forged steel requiring 30tons per square inch yield point and 43/60 tons per squareinch breaking stress. It is fitted with a screwed base-plate which is blown off when the smoke containers areejected by the burster
charge in the nbse end of the cavity.The driving band is nearer the base than in the H. E. Shelland consequently the length of streamline is reduced.The shell is fitted with a transit plug for transportto the Filling Factory. The
smoke composition consists of amixture of hexachlorethane calcium silicide and zinc oxide.The fuze used is No. 221 which requires cap composition, fuzepowder and gun powder.CARTRIDGEAs first practised in Australia
the manufacture ofCartridge cases consisted of a Cupping operation on a 200 ton16" stroke crank press, followed by six drawing operations withan indent on a lOOO ton toggle press after the third draw. The4th, 5th and 6th
draws were done on a 100 ton 30" stroke crankpress and the heading operation on 1500 ton hydraulic presses.The cases were semi—annealed on Holroyd type gas-fired semi-annealing machine before tapering on a 100
tcn 24" stroke taperingpress. TAfter manufacture had proceeded for approximately 12months, the number of drawing operations was reduced from six tofive. Over a further period of l5 months, the number was
-41-reduced successively from five to three drawing operations.Indenting is now done after the first draw, and all drawing,with the exception of the final draw, is done on 200 ton crankpresses.From the commencement of
operations, trouble wasexperienced with cases drawing back on the punch owing to thestripping edge of die wearing. This resulted in a good dealof work being thrown on the case shop maintenance tool roomsdue to the
constant re-edging of the dies. The draw backsalso caused a high rate of tool breakage. In order to over-come these difficulties, a sliding type of stripping finger wasintroduced. This cut down the number of draw backs
considerablybut was not positive. Eventually, a hinged type of finger wasput into operation. This type is very positive and consequentlythe consumption of dies and punches was reduced. AAfter overcoming the high rate of
die usage becauseof edging, it was found that dies went out of use because ofwear of bore and angle. To overcome this, a good deal ofexperimenting was carried out with chroming of punches anddies» This work resolved
into two major problems 2(1) preparation of tools for plating;_ (2) treatment of tools after plating.Eventually a satisfactory procedure was worked out and its adopt-ion has increased the life of individual tools by as much as
tentimes.Machining of 25-Pdr. cases is carried out in twooperations on two types of machines :(1) Head turn;(2) mouth trim.The first operation is done on Capstan Lathes, and then thecase is transferred to another lathe for
trimming to length.EXPLOSIVESThe greater part of the various raw materials requiredto make these explosives are manufactured in Australia and stocksare held of other raw materials imported from abroad. Certainraw
materials will be required from the United Kingdom, Canada,Chile and the United States.
-42—_AMMUNITION BOXESAfter filling the fuzed shells are packed horizontallyin steel or wooden boxes, four per box, and are spaced by twosteel diaphragms clamped on each end, known as Clamp PackingNo. 1.Steel
Boxes - The steel Ammunition Box is made from 2O BG.either close annealed or black steel sheet. The body, sidesand bottom are embossed, then trimmed and notched, the ndsfolded, and the clips and hinges rivetted to
the front andback in the "flat" prior to forming. Once formed, the twoends with handle clips, handles and strengthening plates‘ already rivetted in position are double lock seamed into thebody and the stiffening platesspot
welded into position tocomplete the box. The lid is drawn, trimmed, notched andthen formed, and the corners welded. It is then rivettedto the hinges already in place on the box, after which it isspray painted, then
dried.Clamp Packing No. l consists of two diaphragms withfour blanked and drawn holes in each to support the nose andrear end of the shell. These diaphragms are assembled on acentral long clamp bolt. By means of this
clamp, the fourshells may be lifted from the box as a unit. The cver—alldimensions of the box are approximately 8" x 8" x 19", buti it is not intended that the box be made water-tight.\ Clamp Packing No. 2 is similar to the
No. 1 but isi designed to take the Smoke Shell.Wooden Box - The contents of this box are four 25-Pdr. Shells,‘ H.E. Fuzed, in Clamp Packing No. l. The box is of timberconstruction and is used alternatively to the steel box,
and wasdesigned for Australian use by the Design Division of the MasterGeneral of the Ordnance Branch when it was anticipated that theshell programme of the Commonwealth on this particular storewould be such that it
would not be possible to fully meet require-ments in the steel boxes.The wooden box follows in many features the typicalEnglish design, but in many others departs considerably, incorpor-ating those features usually found
in boxes initiated by theDesign Directorate.The external dimensions of the box are -11911 X 9%" X 8%n.the internal dimensions -1'5" X 7%" X 7-3"requiring in its manufacture a nett super feet content of timberL—
-45-of 5.9 super feet and as at present manufactured all portionsof the boxes may be either hardwood or softwood — Australiantimbers are being exclusively used. Modifications to thewooden box shortly to be adopted and
in accordance with newdrawings submitted by the Design Directorate will call for thebox to use softwood in certain sections and hardwood in othersections, the use of alternative species throughout the boxhaving been
eliminated for the purpose of adding additionalstrength where required to the boxes which previously were 'completely softwood. Any modifications adapted to the boxes,however, will not involve the use of other than
Australiantimbers-The method of attaching the lid is by means of afixed clamp at one end and a swing clamp attached at the otherend of the box by a catch, the design of which has been rejectedby Design Directorate and
is not known on English designed boxes.The total number of boxes of the above type which have beenordered in Australia is 405,000 No., of which quantity 125,000will be manufactured in South Australia and 280,000 N0.
inVictoria.
Fig: 15SECTION of 25—Pdr. CASEandHIGH EXPLOSIVE PROJECTILEThe H.E. Projectile is illustratedfilled with T.N.T.
Nl CAI-7» _STIMEI MEAD‘IASOOGI —— ~$71!! 8111G§E' Qllirun nnnu.€IASIIEI LIATUQInu|rnn.£c.:.s|-nnnsn nu -c.|..nu.£~r.- -lurmu cu. l<Ihlllll . /uusouiaurmoa ‘I’ /can vnaua _.cuni.\ sonu. now./',..-»ltM wkOcum}{Tl I-051.
ZIIITIIIS}l I$4——-i’Glil G.l2.~'. .cu?--{1;..;:-"‘Ev-"\'l '1-Y; ~ ' __fl--~--»~1 *1 I¢ H-‘t 7*Jif.l_r/l2"E§1=>- =1iiKlPPF_ i-CARTRIDGE. Q5 ZSPDRI “PA ..~’I; Zsauna, cu.UQTEIIT.K117 83%.Z>_ /fl Ii-
'/—X1l‘I@lII.§I.§T@@lGIIIQ!‘summon RIC.ND! OAFII.KO7.1IA-$1 PLATE./ av. zumouaouu./—JI IA6.@@l'1I H.081./canon: um.DXIQCASIGQVQIALL.Illilll.FLAIQI Ill-LACIE!5 .I LI. IIOZ. ‘DR. COROITEH.057 I HOIO. H\-
III.R1F11. .HQOIOQB.T.
wFig: 1625-Pdr. CASESequence of Manufacturing OperationsShowing 5-draw process which rcplaced a6-draw sequence.
REQUIREMENTS FROM OVERSEASforPROJECTS 468 and 470MACHINE TOOLSNo further supplies of Machine Tools will be requiredfrom overseas.BALL and ROLLER BEARINGSTABLE of BEARINGS‘ _Bearing
Quantity Quantity Delvd.Item Type per Gun. Ordered. ex USAOutstandingex USA.I 1. R—54O—LL 2 10,809 10,8092. R-155 2 10,809 10,0095. LS-12 2 4,109 4,1094. XLSI-1/2 2 4,109 5,688I 5. 09074/09194 2 424 --
421424' The quantities per gun shown above for items 1 and 2(wheel bearings) apply to the gun carriage and trailers - thenumber, of course, for spare hubs being 1 only per hub. Items5 and 4 being dial sight bearings are
only used on the guncarriages and not on the trailers. Item 5 is used in the packgun only and the quantity shown per gun is as above. While the
 i_47-total quantity required is shown as outstanding in U.S.A.,actually this requisition has not yet reached U.S.A. as thesebearings have only been called for recently,but some productionhas proceeded with bearings
provided temporarily by diversionor from local stocks.MATERIALSimported:lThe following materials will be required to beLead AcetateAmorphous PhosphorousMercuryNitrate of SodaMineral JellySulphur. Q a______J
ivi\I 0‘ Prepared in December, 1945by\ The Overseas Procurement BranchTHE MINISTRY OF MUIIITIONSAUSTRALIA>OL_