[MoMo]

What about the PIAT as a candidate for the worst infantry-carried anti-tank weapon? You had to score a perfect hit for the spigot to act as a trigger to the detonator!

Specification

Line drawing of PIAT and "bomb" not to scale

• Manufacturer : ICI Ltd., various others.
• Service: 1942–1950
• Overall length : 39 in (990 mm)
• Weight : 31.7 lb (14.4 kg)
• Projectile weight : 3 lb (1.35 kg)
• Muzzle velocity : 450 ft/s (137 m/s)
• Effective range : 110 yd (100 m) armour, 350 yd (320 m) "house-breaking"
• Penetration : 4 in (102 mm) of steel armour

• Ammunition
  • Bomb HEAT; Infantry Projector, AT, Mk 3/L
  • Weight - approx 2 3/4 lb (1.25 kg)
  • Length - 16.6 in (422 mm)
  • Colour - Service colour or brown, with red filling ring around forward portion of body, a blue band edged above and below with yellow and with "TNT3" in black on the blue band.

Operation

From the 1943 British Army manual Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank:
'Lie on the back and rest the projector on the chest, with the bomb support pointing over one shoulder and the shoulder piece flat on the ground. Keep the front support clear of the body and arms. Place the insteps on the shoulder piece, one foot on each side of the outer casing. Grasp the trigger guard firmly with one hand from underneath; with the other grasp any part of the projector that will give good leverage. Sit up or bend the knees if necessary, according to cover. Pull the outer casing away from the shoulder piece and turn it anticlockwise as far as it will go. Pulling with the hands and pushing with the feet, continue to pull on the outer casing until a click is heard. Considerable effort is required to overcome the resistance of the mainspring. The click denotes the action is cocked.'

[mikeb1958]

....then bend over and kiss your butt goodbye.

[Shawn 507]

Originally Posted by MoMo

What about the PIAT as a candidate for the worst infantry-carried anti-tank weapon? You had to score a perfect hit for the spigot to act as a trigger to the detonator!

The Brits used that piece o' &%)$^%# up to 1950? Even after seeing the German Panzerschrek or Panzerfaust? I suppose its no wonder, it took forever for them to design a tank worth talking about.
- Shawn

[jim]

Originally Posted by Shawn 507

The Brits used that piece o' &%)$^%# up to 1950? Even after seeing the German Panzerschrek or Panzerfaust? I suppose its no wonder, it took forever for them to design a tank worth talking about.
- Shawn

Sad but true.

[MoMo]

Re: Worst Piece of WW2 Kit!

---

Sad but true.

Yes, but when they did, they produced the Centurion which was a honey, able to be upgunned and fully flexible! And which also ripped holes in the Russian tanks ( and the rest ) in 1967! And Yom Kippor! And the Falklands ( in ARV role )

[Aircrafty]

Originally Posted by MoMo

Yes, but when they did, they produced the Centurion which was a honey, able to be upgunned and fully flexible! And which also ripped holes in the Russian tanks ( and the rest ) in 1967! And Yom Kippor! And the Falklands ( in ARV role )

The Centurion was a great tank being designed and produced in WWII but missed seeing action then. There are a number of members here that are fans of the Sherman and often refer to their use by Israel, but the Israeli's much preferred the few Centurions they had to their Shermans

[MoMo]

Re: Worst Piece of WW2 Kit!

---

The Centurion was a great tank being designed and produced in WWII but missed seeing action then. There are a number of members here that are fans of the Sherman and often refer to their use by Israel, but the Israeli's much preferred the few Centurions they had to their Shermans

You tell 'em, Aircrafty!

[Shawn 507]

Originally Posted by Aircrafty

The Centurion was a great tank being designed and produced in WWII but missed seeing action then. There are a number of members here that are fans of the Sherman and often refer to their use by Israel, but the Israeli's much preferred the few Centurions they had to their Shermans

Yes the Centurion is a great tank, noone denys that. With regards to Isreali Shermans. The point there is, the M4 in some form or another is still in use there. And some have been sold to a South American nation for use. So it still soldiers on.
- Shawn

[MoMo]

Shawn 507

Yes Shawn, the Sherman will go on forever! It's robust construction and ease of maintainance assures it a place in areas where they just want a straightforward, simple solution. What do they use the tanks for in South America?

[Shawn 507]

Originally Posted by MoMo

Yes Shawn, the Sherman will go on forever! It's robust construction and ease of maintainance assures it a place in areas where they just want a straightforward, simple solution. What do they use the tanks for in South America?

Same goes for the Centurian. I have no idea why they have them down south. I guess it helps keep the peace.
- Shawn