A question for our ground military guys

[Volron]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jw6FJ4UdWfo

What would be the likely cause for this?  What would you have needed to do to prevent, and in the chance that it happens despite procedure, what do you do in this case?  I get the feeling there are steps that have been missed.

[ozrocker]

As a retired 11C (Mortarman), I would say that it was due to a cook-off of the charges,
 due to an overheated Mortar tube. And improper dropping(Indexing) of round by Assistant Gunner.(Main reason)
Charges should never come in contact with Mortar Tube. Proper indexing( inserting round in tube) of round would have prevented this
And possibly contributing- Dirty tube
Not sure how many rounds were fired before this happened, but was a common worry.
The way to correct this would be as follows(depending upon Mission and War/Peace).

1) Let Mortar tube cool on own.
2) Pour water or other liquid to cool tube down.
3) Urinate (yes Urinate) on tube to cool down.
4) If available - change tube.( Finish Mission with different Gun Track).
5) Retrain Assistant Gunner on proper indexing of round.
6) Swab Tube often                                                                                                                                                 Oz
                                                                                                                          

[Tinkles]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jw6FJ4UdWfo

What would be the likely cause for this?  What would you have needed to do to prevent, and in the chance that it happens despite procedure, what do you do in this case?  I get the feeling there are steps that have been missed.

Scary stuff. 

[Maverick]

Given that at least 2 other rounds had started to hang up in the tube before the last one on film I'd say fouled tube is a pretty good factor there. Another could be a bad batch of ammo with out of spec driving bands. Im unsure about that one though as I have too little experience with the 4.2 mortar anyhow.

[JunkyII]

This is a mortarman question, not a ground question.

Only thing Infantry and others are supposed to know is if that asset is available and how do we call it in so we can hit all of the combined arms spectrum against our enemy.

Oz rocker is the subject matter expert being an 11C

[mthrockmor]

You forgot steps 7, 8 and 9.

7. Smack the crap out of retarded mortarman, and give him an Article 15
8. Change your shorts
9. Transfer to 19K, M1A1 tanker

boo

[ozrocker]

Given that at least 2 other rounds had started to hang up in the tube before the last one on film I'd say fouled tube is a pretty good factor there. Another could be a bad batch of ammo with out of spec driving bands. Im unsure about that one though as I have too little experience with the 4.2 mortar anyhow.

That's a 120mm Mortar, not the 4.2  
Never saw a "bad batch" of ammo. We always fired Nam era ammo in the 80's-90's



Reply with quoteQuote  


You forgot steps 7, 8 and 9.

7. Smack the crap out of retarded mortarman, and give him an Article 15
8. Change your shorts
9. Transfer to 19K, M1A1 tanker



boo

CDAT? No way

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[colmbo]

11C here as well.

If you've been firing several rounds in quick succession the gases build in the tube and can continue to burn…I've seen 3-5 seconds of flame on an 81.  It might have been gas burning in the tube, then he got his sleeve or glove caught which hung the round long enough to ignite the propellant charges.  If dropped quickly the gun operates normally.

[Volron]

As for the round he threw on the ground, what danger was there from it?  Was it "live" as a result of what happened?

[WpnX]

As for the round he threw on the ground, what danger was there from it?  Was it "live" as a result of what happened?

No danger at all, round didn't arm yet. Those are just the donut charges burning, we used to start our campfires with them.

[WpnX]

Given that at least 2 other rounds had started to hang up in the tube before the last one on film I'd say fouled tube is a pretty good factor there. Another could be a bad batch of ammo with out of spec driving bands. Im unsure about that one though as I have too little experience with the 4.2 mortar anyhow.

"Little experience" Mav? I thought you were an MP, that's 0 experience isn't it? 

[Maverick]

Perhaps you should stop trying to "think" and just look at the avatar there......

Old school Armor. Spent almost of my time in the M60's. I did train in the early M1 but really still a 60 guy. (A1 &A3) We had the 4.2 as part of Combat Support Company. When I was XO there I got to hang a few rounds and spent some time as range SO. The Bn CO was of the mind that everyone in the command track should have experience in all the assets available to the Bn, not just the tanks. I tend to agree with him.

[Volron]

No danger at all, round didn't arm yet. Those are just the donut charges burning, we used to start our campfires with them.

Reading the wiki, it's pretty much a bomb?  The fuze on the one he toss didn't do anything, but had it launched, would have activated due to the air?


Also, couldn't you use C4 as a fire source?  Just don't stomp it out?

[WpnX]

Perhaps you should stop trying to "think" and just look at the avatar there......

Old school Armor. Spent almost of my time in the M60's. I did train in the early M1 but really still a 60 guy. (A1 &A3) We had the 4.2 as part of Combat Support Company. When I was XO there I got to hang a few rounds and spent some time as range SO. The Bn CO was of the mind that everyone in the command track should have experience in all the assets available to the Bn, not just the tanks. I tend to agree with him.

Ha! Sorry Mav, I just slapped myself for you, didn't mean to insult you by calling you an MP. Tanker is definitely a step up from MP, I can remember a few times that I wished I had a tank. (Javelins were nice though).

[ozrocker]

Reading the wiki, it's pretty much a bomb?  The fuze on the one he toss didn't do anything, but had it launched, would have activated due to the air?


Also, couldn't you use C4 as a fire source?  Just don't stomp it out?

 
 Mortar round has to rotate numerous times before it's armed inflight.
Inside the HE Mortar round is Composition B, not C-4.
High Angle Hell!

C4 is an excellent, slow burning material. (Almost like Paydoh). Made canteen cups of coffee with just a little
Heats your meal in a timely manner as well


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