Smiths Gun

[PNK]

Did one of these appear on Dad's army? I know the catherine wheel thingy (Panjandrum) did.

[P Bellamy]

I think it did, I seem to recall them firing onions out of it...

[PETERTHEEATER]

The technical limitations of the Smith gun notwithstanding, the real problem was with the HE ammunition in which the safety devices in the impact fuze were poor. There were a number of recorded 'in-bore' explosions resulting in fatalities and injuries leading to a lack of confidence by the crews. The HE 'shell' resembled a tin of beans and when buried caches are unearthed can usually result in misidentification.

The Northover Projector seems to have been better loved by 'Dad's Army'

[Aeronut]

Whatisit[1].jpg
A Smith gun rigged for airdrop in the bomb bay of a Wellington

[PETERTHEEATER]

And frankly, the best thing for it

[Aeronut]

Unfortunatley the trial resulted in more damage to the Wellington than the to the gun!

[Richard Drew]

smiths gun2.jpg 101 Smith Gun & Defence Ammunition at RAf Warmwell
smiths gun.jpg smiths gun3.jpg

[Alec Beanse]

The Smith Gun had a ready use ammunition supply on the gun with additional rounds carried in a companion 'Limber'.

Smith-Gun.jpg

[Alec Beanse]

Another view of gun and limber at Shoeburyness from the Qinetiq website http://www2.qinetiq.com/home_shoebur...mages_of.html# :

Smith-Gun-Shoebury.jpg

[Ossington_2008]

Taken at RIAT: