panzerlehr62 -> RE: Is the PIAT of any use (10/1/2009 11:39:11 PM)
|
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia...[&o] ************************************************************************** "The first model was the RPzB 43 which was 164 cm long and weighed about 9.25 kg when empty. Operators of the RPzB 43 had to wear a protective poncho and a gas mask without a filter to protect them from the heat of the backblast when the weapon was fired. In October 1943, it was succeeded by the RPzB 54 which was fitted with a blast shield (I bet that went over with a bang) to protect the operator. This was heavier and weighed 11 kg empty. This was followed by the RPzB 54/1 with an improved rocket, shorter barrel and a range increased to about 180 meters. Firing the RPzB generated a lot of smoke both in front and behind the weapon. Because of the weapon's tube and the smoke, the German troops nicknamed it the Ofenrohr ("Stove Pipe"). This also meant that Panzerschreck teams were revealed once they fired, making them targets and, therefore, required them to shift positions. This type of system also made it problematic to fire the weapon from inside closed spaces (such as bunkers or houses), filling the room with toxic smoke and revealing the firing location immediately. This was in contrast to the British PIAT's cumbersome, but non-smoking system, or the Panzerfausts short burst launch system" ************************************************************************** So not only could a bystander get a tan, but the old boy pulling the trigger might get one as well. The toxic smoke is also somethg I didnt really think about but makes sense since Germany didnt have OSHA. [:D] Gz... [image]local://upfiles/31378/3A2ACCBAFB99443692DA3A3D2C9977B4.jpg[/image] "I know Fritz its 105 degrees out, but the manual says without the filter it should only feel like 103!"
|
|
|
|