Everything I have ever read over many years states that the Boys cartridge is based on a modified (belted) .50 BMG case necked out to .55.Nope, it's derived from the 13.2x99mm Hotchkiss.
Hm, reading it now the wikipedia articles states both ways.Everything I have ever read over many years states that the Boys cartridge is based on a modified (belted) .50 BMG case necked out to .55.
In the History sectionThe .55 Boys is a 13.2×99mm Hotchkiss cartridge necked up to accept a .55 caliber bullet in mid-1930s. Since the shoulder of the case was narrowed, a belt was added to ensure reliably correct headspace.
The .55 Boys round was a modified .50 BMG round necked up to accept a larger, steel-cored bullet in order to increase its armour penetration.
Hm, reading it now the wikipedia articles states both ways.
In the Design section
In the History section
One of the best-known of the medium-calibre ATRs is the British Boys Rifle, which fired a unique .55 inch cartridge (13.9 x 99B). This was based on the .50 Browning HMG round, with the calibre increased and a belt added. Two different AP loadings saw service (W. Mark 1 and W. Mark 2) and in the UK these are the easiest and least expensive rounds to collect. Performance was no better than the Mauser's. There was a tungsten / light alloy APCR loading with much superior performance which was made in some numbers and tested operationally, but it was too late and never adopted. That loading is extremely rare but instantly recognisable because of the two-part bullet.
Wikipedia is far from reliable. I think what you have here is someone with a pet theory adding something to the article without checking the facts. The last time I looked up the Boys on Wikipedia there was no mention of it being based on the Hotchkiss round.Okay, accepted. Still, it's a bad look when the wikipedia article contradicts itself.
Personally, I prefer using a Thermette* over a Benghazi burner. Prizing them from the grasp of the Kiwis will prove... ill-advised.Not a Benghazi burner? or with water from a BV?
Of course you could, there are quite a few around in that range. In fact the Boyes case is very similar to 50 BMG ( opinion varies on the Boyes' exact case parentage) and the muzzle energy is the same range, the muzzle velocity is a bit lower; the normal projectile weight a bit higher. at the time, the Finnish 20mmm semi just about counted as an AT rifle, on the borders of being a gun. The big question with large calibre semis is always WHY?Hm, could you make a semi-automatic rifle in Boys calibre?
Remember that the advantage an aircraft has is attacking from above and from any angle. A storm of 20mm, or 50 even hitting the rear deck of a petrol engined tank will often prove fatal; repeated hits on the front top deck and turret top will cause casualties. It is no accident that the combination of 20mmcannon and rocket superseded the S gun quite quicklyProbably not, the range of the Boys would be suicidal and the 40mm had a good HE round for trucks/barges. However this is really a choice between two very poor options, OTL losses were high due to the very straight approach run needed ( no dodging possible ) and even then it only really worked on lighter tanks ( Tigers laughed ) . Rockets, due to greater range, or better still cluster bombs like the Soviets, would be my more preferred options.
Remember that the advantage an aircraft has is attacking from above and from any angle. A storm of 20mm, or 50 even hitting the rear deck of a petrol engined tank will often prove fatal; repeated hits on the front top deck and turret top will cause casualties. It is no accident that the combination of 20mmcannon and rocket superseded the S gun quite quickly
Rockets were to try and kill tanks/trains etc , the 20mm was for trucks and other softer targets. Firing from the air might hit the lessor armour but usually at a very bad angle with little penetration. Proper analytics showed aircraft guns vs tanks ( as opposed to light AFV's ) was almost pointless vs the aircraft losses , claimed kills being 10x or more actual.Remember that the advantage an aircraft has is attacking from above and from any angle. A storm of 20mm, or 50 even hitting the rear deck of a petrol engined tank will often prove fatal; repeated hits on the front top deck and turret top will cause casualties. It is no accident that the combination of 20mmcannon and rocket superseded the S gun quite quickly
I've heard some impressive things about the Ju-87G with the 37mm cannon (firing from a dive rather than a low-level strafe to get a better firing angle) - but apparently the Luftwaffe never did a proper statistical analysis of kills and, as you say, pilots were notorious for overclaiming.Rockets were to try and kill tanks/trains etc , the 20mm was for trucks and other softer targets. Firing from the air might hit the lessor armour but usually at a very bad angle with little penetration. Proper analytics showed aircraft guns vs tanks ( as opposed to light AFV's ) was almost pointless vs the aircraft losses , claimed kills being 10x or more actual.
Remember, a mission kill against an army in retreat is a kill. You do not need to brew up a tank to take it out of battle, making it unserviceable, will do, and that includes getting the crew to jump out long enough to make it impossible for them to get back in! Other ways include brewing up the vehicles containing ammo, fuel spares etc. A tank without spares is at risk of becoming a broken down tank. Getting it to throw a track while trying to get out of the way is a good one.I've heard some impressive things about the Ju-87G with the 37mm cannon (firing from a dive rather than a low-level strafe to get a better firing angle) - but apparently the Luftwaffe never did a proper statistical analysis of kills and, as you say, pilots were notorious for overclaiming.
I've also seen it claimed that the main practical effect of the rocket-armed Typhoons in 1944-5 was that they induced German AFV crews to evacuate their vehicles when stationary, making them more vulnerable to conventional bombs or artillery.
You did better than me. Did manage to go on a boat trip and you could snorkel around the remains of a JU-52 that was shot down during the assault.That's me back and caught up. What are you lot like? Nice tangent into tea/coffee, then you find a new calibre to talk about. The Canadian stuff was excellent, and the possible butterflies of Weygand and Vichy joining Axis; American decisions, Pacific vs Europe, early invasion of France, etc.; great work, and thanks all of it is really helpful to bounce off my own ideas.
I hired a car and drove to Maleme, visiting the German and Commonwealth cemeteries. It was fascinating to walk some of the ground that the battle was won and lost on. I had wanted to follow the path of retreat to Sfakion, but ran out of time (my friends were more interested in having a leisurely meal in a nice fish restaurant!). We were based near Heraklion, which made sense of having the three Brigade Groups at Heraklion, Rithimno and Chania, I had never visualised just how isolated from each other they were, and the nice E75 road I travelled didn't exist. The German occupation was particularly horrible.
Anyway, back to old clothes and porridge, as we say here. Deep fried coffee! Give us a break.
Allan
That's me back and caught up. What are you lot like? Nice tangent into tea/coffee, then you find a new calibre to talk about. The Canadian stuff was excellent, and the possible butterflies of Weygand and Vichy joining Axis; American decisions, Pacific vs Europe, early invasion of France, etc.; great work, and thanks all of it is really helpful to bounce off my own ideas.
I hired a car and drove to Maleme, visiting the German and Commonwealth cemeteries. It was fascinating to walk some of the ground that the battle was won and lost on. I had wanted to follow the path of retreat to Sfakion, but ran out of time (my friends were more interested in having a leisurely meal in a nice fish restaurant!). We were based near Heraklion, which made sense of having the three Brigade Groups at Heraklion, Rithimno and Chania, I had never visualised just how isolated from each other they were, and the nice E75 road I travelled didn't exist. The German occupation was particularly horrible.
Anyway, back to old clothes and porridge, as we say here. Deep fried coffee! Give us a break.
Allan