This page was set up as a number of members who are Pension Officers / Advocates needed weight & measures information used by the RAAC in Viet Nam and in later times by our current serving ADF AFV crews, to assist them with there cases.
Credit has gone to the people who have supplied the information to Noel McLaughlin, and I hope it will assist the members that use it.
Table 1: Centurion tank main armament ammunition weights (84mm calibre) 20 Pounder:
|
AMMUNITION TYPE |
WEIGHT � INDIVIDUAL ROUNDS |
WEIGHT PACKED (STEEL CONTAINER) |
No OF ROUNDS PER CONTAINER |
|
DST Practice |
17kgs |
36kgs |
1 round only |
|
High explosive |
17kgs |
36kgs |
1 round only |
|
APDS |
17kgs |
36kgs |
1 round only |
| APCBC | ? | ? | 1 round only |
|
Smoke |
18kgs |
37kgs |
1 round only |
|
Canister |
22.5kgs |
41.5kgs |
1 round onl |
Note:
All ammunition weights in Tables 1 to 3 were supplied by the Gunnery Wing at
the School of Armour.
Table 2:
Leopard tank main armament ammunition weights (105mm calibre):
|
AMMUNITION TYPE |
WEIGHT � INDIVIDUAL ROUNDS |
WEIGHT PACKED
(STEEL CONTAINER) |
No OF ROUNDS PER CONTAINER |
|
DST Practice |
18.5kgs |
35kgs |
1 round only |
|
APDS |
18.5kgs |
35kgs |
1 round only |
|
HESH |
20.5kgs |
40kgs |
1 round only |
|
Anti-personnel |
25kgs |
72.6kgs |
1 round only |
|
HEAT |
21.8kgs |
63.6kgs |
1 round only |
|
White phosphorous |
20.6 |
62kgs |
1 round only |
Table 2A:
ABRAMS
M1A1/2 tank main armament ammunition weights
(120mm calibre):
|
AMMUNITION TYPE |
WEIGHT � INDIVIDUAL ROUNDS |
WEIGHT PACKED
(STEEL CONTAINER) |
No OF ROUNDS PER CONTAINER |
|
M865 TPCSDS-T Prac |
|||
|
M831 TP-T Prac |
|||
|
M8300 HEAT-MP-T |
|||
|
M829 APFSDS-T |
|||
|
Anti-personnel |
|||
|
White phosphorous |
Table 3:
Scorpion and Saladin main armament ammunition weights (76mm calibre):
|
AMMUNITION TYPE |
WEIGHT � INDIVIDUAL ROUNDS |
WEIGHT PACKED
(STEEL CONTAINER) |
No OF ROUNDS PER CONTAINER |
|
HIGH EXPLOSIVE (HE) |
17lbs |
81lbs |
2 rounds |
|
HESH |
17lbs |
81lbs |
2 rounds |
|
CANISTER |
17lbs |
81lbs |
2 rounds |
|
SMOKE |
22.5lbs |
93lbs |
2 rounds |
Table 4: .50 cal (12,7x99mm)/.30 cal Guns and Ammo liner weights:
| .50Cal MG with barrel | 84lbs | 38kg |
| .50Cal MG barrel | 28lbs | 12.7kgs |
|
.30Cal MG with barrel |
31lbs | 14kg |
| .30Cal MG barrel | 7lbs | 3.2kgs |
|
.50C |
15.5kgs |
|
|
.30C |
19.25lbs |
9.25kgs |
Note: Info
supplied by WO2 Mitch "Mother" Anderson now retired and serving with 1/15 RNSWL
Table 5: Jerry can weights:
|
WATER |
DIESEL |
|
24kgs |
21.7kgs |
Note: Diesel
has a lighter Specific Gravity than water, hence the lighter weight.
Table 6:
Gunshield weights and Track link weights
|
��
THICKNESS ARMOUR |
⅝�
THICKNESS ARMOUR |
SECTION
OF 8 |
FULL
TRACK |
|
200-250kgs |
300-350KGS |
75kgs
approx |
640kgs
approx |
Note: This info
was supplied by Dutchy Viergever prior to his retirement from the Regular Army
in 1992 and is as far as I am aware, the most accurate info I am able to get on
gun shields/track links.
Table 7:
Ration Packs
|
FULL
RATION PACK
(10 MAN) |
FULL
RATION PACK
(10 x 1
MAN) |
|
19.5kgs |
19.5kgs |
Note: This info was supplied by Clive Mitchell-Taylor (ex 8 RAR) and former Nat President of the VVAA, who changed streams and was a Q Instructor at Bandiana in the 1980s and is well known to me.
Table 8: Other heavy vehicle parts:
| Centurion track Link | 19 Kg | ||||||
| Centurion Road Wheel | 80 Kg | ||||||
| Engine Deck One Panel - Hinge Lift | 100 Kg / panel. There were 5 sections/panels. | ||||||
| Transmission Deck - one panel | 50 Kg/ panel. Same as above | ||||||
| Centurion "A" frame | 120 Kg plus. | ||||||
Note: The above weights were supplied by Larry Hartnett & Noel McLaughlin.
Table 9:
Full Sandbags
|
Dry |
Wet |
|
26
kgs |
28
kgs |
Note: Info supplied by Bill Kearney.
Table 10: General Weights (Infantry) - small arms, rations, batteries, webbing etc:
| UNIT OF EQUIPMENT | WEIGHT (lbs) | WEIGHT (kgs) | REMARKS | |
| Bayonet | 1.10lbs | 0.50kg | ||
| Dixie set with KFS | 1.82lbs | 0.83kg | ||
| Entrenching Tool | 3.25lbs | 1.48kgs | ||
| Grenade Frag M26A2 | 1.00lb | 0.45kg | ||
| Grenade Smoke M8 | 1.50lbs | 0.68kg | ||
| LAW 66mm (formerly M72) | 4.75lbs | 2.20kgs | ||
| Launcher 40mm M79 | 6.45lbs | 2.95kgs | Loaded | |
| Bandolier 40mm (6 rounds) | 3.25lbs | 1.50kgs | ||
| Machete | 1.54lbs | 0.70kg | ||
| Marker Panels Identification | 2.00lbs | 0.91kg | ||
| Mine Anti-Personnel M18A1 Claymore | 5.70lbs | 2.60kgs | ||
| Machine Gun 7.62mm M60 | 29.50lbs | 13.45kgs | With 100-rd belt | |
| Belt Ammo 7.62mm (100rounds) | 6.50lbs | 2.95kgs | ||
| Spare Barrel M60 | 8.23lbs | 3.74kgs | ||
| Radio AN/PRC 25/77 Set | 23.10lbs | 10.50kgs | Manpack | |
| Spare Radio Batteries | 2.20lbs | 1.00kg | ||
| Ration Pack 24-hr (AUST) | 3.00lbs | 1.40kgs | 1 x Individual pack | |
| Ration Pack �C� 24-hr (US) | 6lbs | 2.72kgs | 1 x Individual pack | |
| Rifle 7.62mm L1A1 SLR | 11.00lbs | 5.00kgs | With full 20-rd magazine | |
| Magazine SLR with 20 rds | 1.60lbs | 0.73kgs | ||
| Rifle 7.62mm L2A1 (AR) | 15.00lbs | 6.80kgs | With full 30-rd magazine | |
| Rifle 5.56mm M16 | 8.50lbs | 3.86kgs | With full magazine | |
| Magazine 5.56mm (20 rds) | 0.70lb | 0.32kg | ||
| Magazine 5.56mm (30 rds) | 1.0lb | 0.45kg | ||
| Rifle 5.56mm M203 (over & under) | 11.00lbs | 5.00kgs | Loaded | |
| Pistol 9mm L9A1 | 2.38lbs | 1.08kgs | With full magazine | |
| Magazine | 0.45lb | 0.21kg | ||
| Shelter Individual (Hoochie) | 1.32lb | 0.60kg | ||
| SMG 9mm F1 | 9.40lbs | 4.30kgs | With full magazine | |
| Magazine 9mm F1 (30 rounds) | 1.32lbs | 0.60kg | ||
| Stove w/solid fuel (Hexie Stove) | 0.18lb | 0.40kg | ||
| Torch w/batteries | 1.00lb | 0.45kg | ||
| Steel Helmet with liner | 5.00lbs | |||
| Flak Jacket | 7.00lbs | |||
| Spare batteries | 0.66lb | 0.30kg | ||
| Water bottle with cover | 3.40lbs | 1.50kgs | Full | |
| Webbing equipment | 9.50lbs | 4.31kgs | Includes: pistol belt; small (bum) pack; large (back) pack; suspenders; 1st Aid dressing; basic pouches; scabbard |
Note: This information was kindly provided by Bob Coker
Table 11: Weight Chart - Other Defence Stores
|
UNIT OF EQUIPMENT |
WEIGHT (kgs) |
REMARKS |
|
2.5KVA Generator Set |
50.0 |
|
|
Barbed Wire 119m Roll |
12.5 |
|
|
Camouflage Net |
16.9 |
Dry |
|
Concertina Wire |
25.5 |
10 per bundle |
|
Full Ration Pack 10 Man Carton |
19.5 |
10 Packs per carton |
|
Full Ration Pack 10 x 1 Man Carton |
14.5 |
10 Packs per carton |
|
Emergency Ration 1 Man Packs |
20.0 |
100 Packs per carton |
|
Practice Depth Charge |
45.0 |
Fitter & Armourer Supplied in boxes of 12 |
|
Pyrotechnics Case |
35.0 |
Fitter & Armourer |
|
Ration Pack Supplementary (US) |
21.0 |
100 Packs per carton |
|
Ration Pack 1 Man (US) |
11.5 |
4 Packs per carton |
|
Retro Gun |
40.0 |
Fitter & Armourer |
|
Landrover Tyre Only |
20.0 |
|
|
Landrover Tyre and Rim Complete |
35.0 |
|
|
Radio AN/GRC 106 |
55.3 |
Vehicular ground station used in A type radio stations |
|
Radio AN/PRC F1 & F3 |
9.9 |
Light-weight HF equipment for general purpose use |
|
Radio AN/GRC F2 Vehicle Mounted |
25.0 |
Vehicle/ground station version of the PRC-F1 |
|
Radio AN/GRC F2 Ground Mounted |
13.3 |
Vehicle/ground station version of the PRC-F1 |
|
Radio AN/PPS10 |
4.5 |
Recon, Survival, Inf Bn |
|
Radio AN/PRC 25 or 77 |
11.1 |
Short range man pack VHF equip for unit/sub-unit voice communication. AN/PRC 77 used for secure voice |
|
Radio AN/PRC 125 or 160 |
17.5 |
Short range man pack VHF equip for unit/sub-unit voice communication. Used in B type radio stations. |
|
Radio AN/PRC 41 |
19.7 |
Portable UHF equipment for ground to air communications in tactical air support and by army aviation units and FAC |
|
Radio AN/PRC 47 |
31.7 |
Vehicular/portable ground station equipment used in B type radio stations |
|
Radio AN/PRC 54 |
11.3 |
Airborne VHF equipment for air to air and air to ground communication for Army aviation aircraft |
|
Radio AN/PRC 64 |
3.4 |
Light-weight HF equipment for long range infantry patrols |
|
Radio AN/PRC 114 |
3.1 |
AA Avn |
|
Radio AN/PRC 115 |
3.2 |
AA Avn |
|
Radio AN/PRC 116 |
3.6 |
AA Avn |
|
Radio AN/VRC 46 |
27.2 |
RA Sigs, RAA, RAAC |
|
Radio AN/VRC 49 |
54.5 |
RA Sigs, RAA, RAAC |
|
Radio ASB 100 |
8.1 |
Medium power airborne VHF equipment for air to ground communication by army aviation aircraft |
|
Radio 618F-1A |
5.7 |
Airborne VHF equipment for air to air and air to ground communications for army aviation aircraft |
|
Radio GS No 14 Mk1 ZB298 |
32.0 |
Allocated to Survival Troop, Recon Regt |
|
Sand Bag |
26.0 |
Single Bag Filled Dry or 28.0 Wet |
|
Sand Bag Bundle 1,000 |
24.5 |
|
|
Sonar Buoys |
40.0 |
Fitter & Armourer |
|
Steel Piquet 1.8m |
4.00 |
Supplied in Bundles of 10 eg 40Kg |
|
Steel Piquet 0.6m |
1.00 |
Supplied in Bundles of 20 eg 20Kg |
|
Steel Piquet Dolly |
12.6 |
|
|
Tannoi Reel |
14.4 |
|
|
Tarpaulin |
15.4 |
Dry |
|
Tool Box |
62.0 |
Vehicle Mechanic |
Table 12 Weight Chart - Artillery General
|
ITEM |
WEIGHT (kgs) |
COMMENTS |
|
"Hamel"Light Gun 105mm L119 |
1814.00 |
|
|
Howitzer 105mm M2A2 |
2040.00 |
|
|
Ammunition 105mm |
57.50 |
Wooden Box contained 2 x 15kg projectiles, 2 x Brass Cartridge Cases, 2 x Cardboard Cylinders & packing |
|
Water Jerri can (full) x 2 |
48.60 |
Normally carried one in each hand for balance |
|
6 Foot Star Pickets - bundle of ten |
40.00 |
|
|
Dolly for driving Star Pickets |
12.60 |
|
|
Camouflage Net (dry) |
16.90 |
|
|
Tarpauline |
15.40 |
|
|
Drag Rope Assembly |
3.20 |
|
|
Tannoy Reel (with wire) |
10.00 |
|
Table 13: Weight Chart - Fuel Stores
|
CONTAINER & TYPE OF FUEL |
WEIGHT (kgs) |
MASS PER LITRE |
|
MTGAS/AVGAS 20L |
18.0 |
0.77 |
|
MTGAS/AVGAS 200L |
180 |
|
|
AVTUR/JP4/Kero 20L |
20.0 |
0.87 |
|
AVTUR/JP4/Kero 200L |
199 |
|
|
Diesel 20L |
22.0 |
0.96 |
|
Diesel 200L |
216 |
|
|
Lube Oil 20L |
22.0 |
0.98 |
|
Lube Oil 200L |
221 |
|
General Stores
|
Item |
How Supplied |
Weight in kG |
Reference |
|
Potatoes |
Bags |
25 - 68 |
Items varied depending on State & Country |
|
Onions |
Bags |
34 |
Items varied depending on State & Country |
|
Cabbage |
Bags |
35 - 40 |
Items varied depending on State & Country |
|
Carrots |
Bags |
23 |
Items varied depending on State & Country |
|
Pumpkin |
Bags |
34 - 40 |
Items varied depending on State & Country |
|
Flour |
Bags |
23 - 68 |
Items varied depending on State & Country |
|
Sugar |
Bags |
34 |
Items varied depending on State & Country |
|
Salt |
Bags |
68 |
Items varied depending on State & Country |
|
Meat |
Carton |
32 |
Items varied depending on State & Country |
|
Butter |
Boxes |
27 |
Items varied depending on State & Country |
|
Dripping (Beef) |
Carton |
25 |
Items varied depending on State & Country |
|
Frying Oil |
Cans |
25 |
Items varied depending on State & Country |
|
Lard |
Carton |
25 |
Items varied depending on State & Country |
|
Eggs |
Carton |
12.5 |
Items varied depending on State & Country |
|
Milk |
Cans |
90 |
Items varied depending on State & Country |
|
Quick Frozen Veg's |
Carton |
22 |
Items varied depending on State & Country |
|
Tinned Fruit and Veg' |
Cans |
20 |
Items varied depending on State & Country |
|
Fruit Pulp |
Cans |
15 |
See note 2, items varied depending on State & Country |
|
Beer |
Carton |
9.2 |
Weighing on scale, 2 usually carried at a time |
|
Beer |
Kegs |
81 |
18 Gallon kegs for messes and canteens |
|
Soft drink |
Carton |
9 |
Weighing on scale, 2 usually carried at a time |
|
Detergent |
Drum |
22 |
Weighing on scale, 2 usually carried at a time |
IMPORTANT NOTE: When a veteran carried any ammunition in particular liners, water jerries, diesel jerries or ration boxes, he always carried one in each hand in order to balance his body. Hence, a veteran would be carrying double what would normally be the case, therefore the stress on weight-bearing joints and the back would be doubled.
Additionally, consideration should also be given to circumstances that arise that where a veteran lifts an object that is, for example, 50kg in weight, carries that object a certain distance, puts it down and lifts it again, the veteran has in effect lifted 100kgs. This can be applied to all objects lifted � carried � put down and re-lifted again. Simply put, the total lift can increase considerably where, just to use an example, crew members carry 2 X full 24kg carry water jerries (48kg total), over a distance and stop more than once to rest, pick up and continue on again. The totality of that weight carried and lifted for example, 3 times, equates to a total of 144kgs carried. Multiply by the total number of times this was done over an operational tour and the totality of the weight carried is significant.
Add fuel, ammo, rations to that total, and it will go a long way towards meeting the relevant cumulative weight requirements for the SOPs.
STATEMENT of FACTS for CENTURION
TANKS:
Vehicle servicing was also physically
demanding, particularly when changing tracks or servicing the engine.
Access to the engine was by way of lifting the armoured engine deck and
transmission covers which were approximately 15cms thick and weighed in
excess of 100kgs each. This task which required two people to lift, was
usually accomplished by only one person. The veteran found himself in
this situation hundreds of times. There were 5 engine covers and 5
transmission covers which were approximately half the weight of the
engine covers. Because of the wear and tear on the engines and
transmission combined with their age, servicing was always conducted at
regular intervals both in the field and also in barracks. The lifting
of these covers formed part of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
for vehicle maintenance in that this was one of a number of tasks
designated as a two-man task involving the commander and driver. The
veteran was subject to these physical demands as a consequence of his
posting as a tank driver.
However, where the commander was not present due to other commitments, it usually fell to the driver to lift and lower these covers himself. Servicing the tank's suspension was also physically demanding with each track link on a tank weighing in excess of 50kgs and involved considerable physical effort by tank crews to remove and change whole tracks as part of the servicing schedule. Changing of road wheels was also designated as a two-man task, however in the absence of assistance from other crew members, one person carried out this task. The veteran found himself in the situation where he was required to carry out these tasks without assistance.
Noel Mc Laughlin
Advocate
