30 X 167 Harvey Aluminium case

[SG500]

Attached are a few photos of an experimental 30 X 167 Harvey Aluminium case.
It is also shown next to a 30 X 172 Gau 8 round for comparison.
In the 1960's the Armament Laboratory was working on the preliminary design of what later became the GAU 8. It was clear that if cases were made of aluminium rather than brass there would be a weight saving of over 800 pounds. The Armament Laboratory aimed to develop aluminium cases suitable for use in a large 30mm round operating at 60,000 psi.
At this time several organisations were working on aluminium cases including Frankford Arsenal, Amron, Harvey Aluminium and Oerlikon.
The Harvey Aluminium case weighs 2,627 grains and has a case volume of 11.6 cubic inches. It was made from their own 6000 series alloy.

The Harvey Aluminium case is 30 X 167 with a base diameter of 49mm compared to the Gau 8 case which is 30 X 172 with a base diameter of 44mm.

If anyone has any further information on the gun/ammunitions I would be interested in hearing from you.

All INERT.

Dave.

 

[EODGUY]

30x167 Harvey Aluminum Case

This appears to be one of the Honeywell "Fat" case designs that was in competition for the final GAU-8 case design. I have one with a TP projectile loaded as a Non-Durable Dummy in a case that matches your dimensions. It is an AMRON case with a Honeywell projectile. Also have a Honeywell experimental composite case with a tan plastic body and an aluminum base, loaded with an inert SAPHE projectile. That case has a 48mm diameter base and is 160mm long. There are an endless number of case and projectile variations in the GAU-8 developmental line. Wish I had all of them, but my house isn't big enough!

 

[SG500]

This appears to be one of the Honeywell "Fat" case designs that was in competition for the final GAU-8 case design. I have one with a TP projectile loaded as a Non-Durable Dummy in a case that matches your dimensions. It is an AMRON case with a Honeywell projectile. Also have a Honeywell experimental composite case with a tan plastic body and an aluminum base, loaded with an inert SAPHE projectile. That case has a 48mm diameter base and is 160mm long. There are an endless number of case and projectile variations in the GAU-8 developmental line. Wish I had all of them, but my house isn't big enough!

Thanks, any chance of a photo of the projectile that goes with the case?
I'd be interested to see other types in your collection.
Dave.

 

[EODGUY]

30mm GAU-8 Fat Case Rounds

I'm attaching a shot of my fat case rounds. As you can see, there really isn't one projectile that was used. This was an experimental case that was never adopted and they were loaded mostly with TP projectiles for proof and test firing. I have seen several other loadings over the years though. They should generally have the single wide plastic rotating band on them though, but again....not always. Have I sufficently confused you yet?