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From: wbt@cbema.att.com (William B Thacker)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Muzzles of cannons
Message-ID: <1991Apr24.054715.19110@amd.com>
Date: 23 Apr 91 04:53:44 GMT
References: <1991Apr18.032433.21674@amd.com>
Sender: military@amd.com
Organization: AT&T Network Systems - Columbus, Ohio
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From: wbt@cbema.att.com (William B Thacker)


Many readers have explained the function of muzzle brakes.  In WWII,
they were considered useful for high-velocity tank guns, in particular, 
as the reduced recoil saved wear and tear on the gun's recoil system,
optics, etc.

One drawback was that the muzzle brake tended to kick up more dust, helping
enemies locate the firing tank and reducing the tank's visibility.  For
this reason, they were sometimes omitted, especially on late-war tank
destroyers such as the Jagdpanzer IV's and the Hetzer.

They were less important for artillery, which tended to be of a lower
muzzle velocity; still, some artillery pieces were so equipped, to allow
the use of a lighter carriage.

-- 
Bill Thacker	AT&T Network Systems - Columbus		wbt@cbnews.att.com