30mm DEFA

[Spaceinvader]

I have here a 30mm DEFA, with (I'm assuming) steel case, never loaded. Red un-fired, unloaded projectile, and solid aluminum dummy fuze. I am looking for what kind of projectile this is, im guessing high explosive, as there is a large empty cavity inside the round. The red paint is original, as there is the letters/ numbers "MF FR 8 82" stamped in ink on the bottom. If it helps at all the head stamp is "30-550-DEFA FR 82 MF 8". Thanks, Rhys

 

[pedro]

MF manufacturer monogram is/was DoD Munitions Factory, Footscray, Victoria, Australia. As Projectile is empty and screw plugged is probably removed from the line before filling HE or HEI. MF 8 82 would be Aug 1982. DEFA was in service with RAAF when we had Mirage fighters. If I recall correctly, from some visits to MF during production in 70-90's, PRAC DEFA (because of no explosive component) were made assembled finally by taking a wax filled projectile (parallel sides), aligning an aluminium nose piece and then pressing the both together in one operation, crimping in the nose and creating the ogive. After Mirage left RAAF service the cart case line continued for the making of specialist IEDD cartridges. In the final act of irony, DOD corporatized the Munitions Production, then sold them off as Australian Defence Industries, which then changed the name to ADI (which, when asked what it meant, I was told.. it means ADI) and was ultimately taken over by Thales.. the French! Closer to home though the Thales VP of Armaments and Ammunition is a mate of mine, former AmmoTech, ATO and is the son of a UK ATO I have beers with occasionally. ATO 288

 

[ozziammo]

pedro,

On both the cart. & proj. base there is FR, any idea what this means?

Also do you know the technical name of the red waxy substance that is used for HES filling?

Thanks,

Ozzi.

 

[HAZORD]

That doesn't look like the standard DEFA case. It looks like the longer experimental one. Maybe it's the perspective and being photographed in a submarine at night.

 

[pedro]

HAZ, the perspective is a bit skewed yes. When I first glanced i thought the case was brass (a la ADEN/RARDEN) but the alumin(i)um PRF is the same colour. So yes, light and angle.

OZI, the red waxy filling is known in Service as High Explosive Substitute (HES). Projectiles so filled will have the HES letters stamped into the body for the munition (e.g on 105mm HES M1 the stamping is about 5mm high, adjacent to the driving band at 0, 120 and 240 degrees).
The constituent is a non-flammable wax derivative with a red dye colouring. Interestingly the subject came up a few years ago. With the OHSE rules about we were having difficulty disposing of such HES projectiles.. no wanted wanted to take them unless we could specify the actual chemical makeup, to ensure no hazardous material was involved.. took me ages to get a straight answer and the detail has slipped from memory for now.

 

[Spaceinvader]

Thanks for the idetification. And yes the lighting in my basement isn't the best!