81mm Mortar Tail

[Andysarmoury]

Hi I picked this up the other day and was wondering which mortar its from is it the L20A1 or the L39, its got one broken fin and cant make my mind up weather to repair it or section it, and dose anybody have the other half they could sell me please.
thanks in advance
Andy

 

[Chris 42 RQ]

Bofors produced imported item

What you have there is one of the Bofors produced late series Tail fin set with the anti-jam spring still in situ.

The early Mortars bombs imported from Bofors did not have the spring fixed in the tail and were known to occasionally end up with the "Flare pot" being blown so hard into the tail unit that it jammed.

Sorry the picture is rubbish but it will give you a good idea of the other part you will need to complete it, they are getting a little harder to find these days but the occasional one turns up at Beltring etc.
Good luck in your quest!

 

[Andysarmoury]

Thanks Chris, what is the L number for it please
regards
Andy

 

[Chris 42 RQ]

L for Land series numbers.

Here is a much better picture of an L28A2 81 mm Illum Mortar.
The "L" series numbers are given to pretty much every "Land" service munition and as time goes on and the munition is modified/adapted due to either problems or requirements change it will usually be allocated another number in the sequence (that is how I understand the system anyway)

So the next mod would mean that Mortar becomes an L28A3 until it reaches A9 then it would go to L29A1-this is simplified greatly and is in all probability a lot more complicated that I think.

One thing I have not mentioned is that the tail units come in the same shape excepting that there appears to be two models of tube used, one is smooth and drilled with the other being drilled but having two raised ridges running circumferentialy on the tube to retain the "augmenting " charges in position on the fin tube.

 

[Andysarmoury]

Hi Chris, that looks the one and thanks, and as for the L numbers well it dose your head it trying to work it out
Regards
Andy

 

[Chris 42 RQ]

Is it a system ?

Hi Chris, that looks the one and thanks, and as for the L numbers well it dose your head it trying to work it out
Regards
Andy

I fully agree that it can do your head in-I am just glad I no longer collect SAA as if you look there the "L" designation system is a real mind boggler!

In fact I wonder if it is in fact a system at all :hmmmm::dontknow:

 

[Andysarmoury]

Hi Chris, thanks again for your help and i too agree with you but is there a simpler way?
All the best
Andy

 

[Darrol]

I have a tail unit the same with spring . .solved another mystery in my collection of bits .thanks guys .regards Darrol.