From: J. Forster (jfor@quik.com)
Date: Tue Oct 01 2002 - 17:33:34 PDT
This is a post from another list where the question was posted.
From: Richard Notton
> its a fume extractor.
>
That it is, on the sectioned examples I have seen the barrel is drilled with
several fine holes, they may even have brass restricting "jets" inserted,
sloping back towards the breech end at a fine angle and positioned to open near
the front end of the canister/bulge.
On firing some of the gases behind the shell at many tons sq.in. vent into the
canister restricted by these fine ports, as the shell leaves the muzzle with a
resounding bang caused by the previously entrained gas at n tons/sq.in. suddenly
escaping, the canister now exhausts relatively slowly and directed to the muzzle
end drawing the fumes behind it out too and making that characteristic smoke
puff a second or so after the discharge.
I'm sure its effect is most welcome to the crew contained in the hull and
probably the interior fighting compartment would be untenable after a few rounds
without it.
Richard
Thanks again,
-J
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.4 : Wed Apr 23 2003 - 13:24:03 PDT