Does anyone have any information on the L92 series of British Proximity fuzes? I found them referenced in a book but cannot find any pictures or information.
Thanks
Joe
Thanks
Joe
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L92 Series of fuzes
- Thread starter jvollenberg
- Start date
The only reference info I have on the L92 is from my basic AT course in 1979. It was not a proximity fuze but was designated a Fuze Nose Mechanical Time and incorporated an 80 second clockwork time mechanism. It had no gaine, no DA (direct action ie impact) mechanism and it was an igniferous fuze. I remember seeing some that were fitted to 105 mm Field Smoke and Illuminating shell in Belize in 1988. The dampness and heat of the tropical climate had degraded the fuzes so that they were falling to pieces, despite the shell being correctly packaged. By 1979 the L92 fuze was approved for use with Shell 105 mm Field Smoke BE and Round 105 mm Howitzer Smoke BE.
The L92 appears to have been derived from the earlier L33 and L34 fuzes, designated Fuze Nose Mechanical Time and Percussion DA. The L33 had a Gaine L3, a DA mechanism and a detonating output and was approved for use with Shell 105 mm Field HE. The L34 had no Gaine, had a DA mechanism and its output was also igniferous. It was also fitted with an 80 second clockwork timer. Similar to the L92 fuze, the L34 was approved for use with Shell 105 mm Field Smoke BE and Round 105 mm Howitzer Smoke BE.
A couple of months ago Darren posted a request for info asking about the differences between the L92A1 and L92A2 but I was unable to help him, because I had no info on the L92A2. Perhaps it entered service after 1979?
The L92 appears to have been derived from the earlier L33 and L34 fuzes, designated Fuze Nose Mechanical Time and Percussion DA. The L33 had a Gaine L3, a DA mechanism and a detonating output and was approved for use with Shell 105 mm Field HE. The L34 had no Gaine, had a DA mechanism and its output was also igniferous. It was also fitted with an 80 second clockwork timer. Similar to the L92 fuze, the L34 was approved for use with Shell 105 mm Field Smoke BE and Round 105 mm Howitzer Smoke BE.
A couple of months ago Darren posted a request for info asking about the differences between the L92A1 and L92A2 but I was unable to help him, because I had no info on the L92A2. Perhaps it entered service after 1979?
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yeah ... I messed up on this. It is a MT fuze and not a prox. Not sure what I was thinking. Thanks for the information, it is very helpful.
Joe
Joe
demondays7334
New Member
Hi,
tT
I have come into the possession of the brass container in which the fuze was kept, and I was wandering about the history of the fuze. I received it as a gift when i was young and had a fondness for history. The family friend who gave it to me said it held a shell fuze from world war one or two, but I take it from this post that this fuze wasn't invented or put into service until the 1970's. Thanks in advance for any information
tT
I have come into the possession of the brass container in which the fuze was kept, and I was wandering about the history of the fuze. I received it as a gift when i was young and had a fondness for history. The family friend who gave it to me said it held a shell fuze from world war one or two, but I take it from this post that this fuze wasn't invented or put into service until the 1970's. Thanks in advance for any information
Hello Demondays, if you could post pictures of the container I could tell you whether it was the type that was in service when I was. There may be others here who could give you a more accurate date if it is something that was in use before my time.
Gunnerwho?
Active Member
Yes L92 was used with 105mm BE smoke (but not Illum, see below). It was standard for 105mm Fd Mk 2 BE smoke, not sure if it was used with 105mm How or 105mm Fd Mk 1 (which as everyone knows used the same shell). As normal with UK MT fuzes it used the Thiel mechanism (copied from German in late WW1).
105mm Illum was a different matter altogether. I think both 105mm How and 105mm Fd Mk 2 both used the same shell and fuze (Mk 1 didn't run to Illum), the shell alone was/is L43 and in the How the complete round was L55. The shell entered service in early 1966, the first being delivered in their Swedish packing, grey painted zine lined pine boxes each with 4 shells to the gun position (no repacking into standard complete round tubes, RAOC obviously slacking Bugis street that day).
The fuze was novel for UK, it was a DIXI mechanism with a vernier scale, subsequently typed as L81 IIRC. DIXI of course is the third type of MT mechanism (Junghans being the other, copied by the US from the Germans). I believe the only other vernier scale fuzes used by UK Army were the multi-deck base fuzes in M422 and M424 (203mm) shells. What I can't remember is if there was a fze setter for L81 or just a wrench/key, and the M numbers for the fzes in M422 and M424.
Interesting a new and renumbered blacklight version of the L43 has entered service but currently MoD is seeking offers for a new 105mm Illum shell that is compatible with new L163 ETF and L7 fuze setter. Presumably the Bofors/DIXI fuze well is non-standard or the ignition arrangements are incompatible with Mr Diehl's products.
105mm Illum was a different matter altogether. I think both 105mm How and 105mm Fd Mk 2 both used the same shell and fuze (Mk 1 didn't run to Illum), the shell alone was/is L43 and in the How the complete round was L55. The shell entered service in early 1966, the first being delivered in their Swedish packing, grey painted zine lined pine boxes each with 4 shells to the gun position (no repacking into standard complete round tubes, RAOC obviously slacking Bugis street that day).
The fuze was novel for UK, it was a DIXI mechanism with a vernier scale, subsequently typed as L81 IIRC. DIXI of course is the third type of MT mechanism (Junghans being the other, copied by the US from the Germans). I believe the only other vernier scale fuzes used by UK Army were the multi-deck base fuzes in M422 and M424 (203mm) shells. What I can't remember is if there was a fze setter for L81 or just a wrench/key, and the M numbers for the fzes in M422 and M424.
Interesting a new and renumbered blacklight version of the L43 has entered service but currently MoD is seeking offers for a new 105mm Illum shell that is compatible with new L163 ETF and L7 fuze setter. Presumably the Bofors/DIXI fuze well is non-standard or the ignition arrangements are incompatible with Mr Diehl's products.
smle2009
Well-Known Member
"The Fuze Nose Mechanical Time L92 is of 5.08 cm Fuze Hole Gauge and is an
igniferous mechanical time fuze for use with base ejection shell. The Fuze is fitted
with Mechanism Time 80 Seconds No. 3 and is approved for use with the following
ammunition:
1.1 Shell 105 mm Fd Smoke BE.
1.2 Shell 155 mm How Illum.
1.3 Shell 155 mm How Smoke BE.
The Fuze Nose Mechanical Time L92A2 (see Fig 1) differs from the L92A1 in the
weight of Detonator used and by the inclusion of a Detonator Holder and modification
to the Base Plug. Certain types of L92A1 bodies have been modified to the L92A2
standard. The modified fuzes have the figure 1 of the stamped model number barred
out with two oblique chisel cuts and the figure 2 stamped immediately adjacent to the
barred figure 1. The fuze consists of five main parts:
2.1 Nose.
2.2 Dome.
2.3 Body
2.4 Time Mechanism 80 seconds No. 3.
2.5 Base Plug"
igniferous mechanical time fuze for use with base ejection shell. The Fuze is fitted
with Mechanism Time 80 Seconds No. 3 and is approved for use with the following
ammunition:
1.1 Shell 105 mm Fd Smoke BE.
1.2 Shell 155 mm How Illum.
1.3 Shell 155 mm How Smoke BE.
The Fuze Nose Mechanical Time L92A2 (see Fig 1) differs from the L92A1 in the
weight of Detonator used and by the inclusion of a Detonator Holder and modification
to the Base Plug. Certain types of L92A1 bodies have been modified to the L92A2
standard. The modified fuzes have the figure 1 of the stamped model number barred
out with two oblique chisel cuts and the figure 2 stamped immediately adjacent to the
barred figure 1. The fuze consists of five main parts:
2.1 Nose.
2.2 Dome.
2.3 Body
2.4 Time Mechanism 80 seconds No. 3.
2.5 Base Plug"
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Just checking the September 1992 ADAC list. Gunnerwho? is correct in saying that the L81 (A1 and A2, both X-rayed & non X-rayed) Fuze was used with illuminating shell - my memory of events from Belize is not as clear as I would like and I don't always have photos to back it up. By late 1992 the L92 Fuze was used in:
Shell 105 mm Field Base Ejection Smoke Screening L36A3 Fuzed L92
Shell 105 mm Field Base Ejection Smoke Screening L45A1 Fuzed L92A1 (obsolete)
Shell 105 mm Field Base Ejection Smoke Screening L45A2 Fuzed L92A1
Shell 105 mm Field Base Ejection Smoke Screening L45A2 Fuzed L92A2
Shell 105 mm Field Smoke L36A3 Fuzed L92A1 with Cartridge Normal L35A1
Shell 105 mm Field Smoke L45A2 Fuzed L92A1 with Cartridge Normal L35...(A1?)...(obsolete)
Shell 105 mm Field Smoke L45A2 Fuzed L92A2 with Cartridge Normal L35A2
Shell 105 mm Field Smoke L36A3 Fuzed L92A1 with Cartridge Super L36A3
Shell 105 mm Field Smoke L45A2 Fuzed L92A2 with Cartridge Super L36A3
Round 105 mm Pack Howitzer Base Ejection Smoke Screening L51A3 Fuzed L92A2
Round 105 mm Pack Howitzer Base Ejection Smoke Screening L67A1 Fuzed L92 (no fuze suffix detailed)
For Tony - I take it your info was correct for about the mid 1980s? By late 1992 the fuze in use with the 155 mm Smk shells DM105A1 and DM105A2 was the L132A1.
For Gunnerwho? - the M424 shell was fitted with Fuze MT M543. I can find no info about the M422 shell. If it was for use with the US 8 inch M2 Howitzer then the fuzes used may have been the M513 and M514. Someone more knowledgable than me may know better.
Shell 105 mm Field Base Ejection Smoke Screening L36A3 Fuzed L92
Shell 105 mm Field Base Ejection Smoke Screening L45A1 Fuzed L92A1 (obsolete)
Shell 105 mm Field Base Ejection Smoke Screening L45A2 Fuzed L92A1
Shell 105 mm Field Base Ejection Smoke Screening L45A2 Fuzed L92A2
Shell 105 mm Field Smoke L36A3 Fuzed L92A1 with Cartridge Normal L35A1
Shell 105 mm Field Smoke L45A2 Fuzed L92A1 with Cartridge Normal L35...(A1?)...(obsolete)
Shell 105 mm Field Smoke L45A2 Fuzed L92A2 with Cartridge Normal L35A2
Shell 105 mm Field Smoke L36A3 Fuzed L92A1 with Cartridge Super L36A3
Shell 105 mm Field Smoke L45A2 Fuzed L92A2 with Cartridge Super L36A3
Round 105 mm Pack Howitzer Base Ejection Smoke Screening L51A3 Fuzed L92A2
Round 105 mm Pack Howitzer Base Ejection Smoke Screening L67A1 Fuzed L92 (no fuze suffix detailed)
For Tony - I take it your info was correct for about the mid 1980s? By late 1992 the fuze in use with the 155 mm Smk shells DM105A1 and DM105A2 was the L132A1.
For Gunnerwho? - the M424 shell was fitted with Fuze MT M543. I can find no info about the M422 shell. If it was for use with the US 8 inch M2 Howitzer then the fuzes used may have been the M513 and M514. Someone more knowledgable than me may know better.
Thanks Tony, unfortunately it's not something I have access to. I wonder if the L132 fuze was not as good as the L92? Regards, Matthew
Gointodash
Active Member
Just FYI we found several L92A2s on 105mm base ejecting smoke rounds in Afghanistan in 2011. Never could get ahold of much info on them.