M26 grenade
| M26 grenade | |
|---|---|
 M61, a variant of the M26 (manufactured in May 1969) |
|
| Type | Time-fused grenade |
| Place of origin |  United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1950s-1970s |
| Used by | United States, Israel, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Portugal, South Africa |
| Wars | Vietnam War, Falklands War |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 454g[1] |
| Length | 99mm[1] |
| Diameter | 57mm[1] |
|
|
|
| Filling | Composition B |
| Filling weight | 164g[1] |
| Detonation mechanism |
Timed Friction Fuse |
The M26 is a fragmentation hand grenade made by the United States.
Contents |
[edit] Description
The M26 is a fragmentation grenade developed by the United States military. Its distinct lemon shape led it to being nicknamed the "lemon grenade".
Fragmentation is caused by a special fragmentation coil that lies between the outer layer and explosive filling.[2] The coil is designed so that fragmentation will not exceed a radius of 15m, allowing for a more controlled blast that is less likely to injure the thrower than previous designs.
[edit] Use
To use the grenade, one must first pull the safety pin while holding down the safety lever (spoon). As long as the spoon is held in place, the grenade is not armed. It is armed only when the spoon is released, allowing the firing pin to strike the primer and ignite the 4- to 5-second fuse. (Fuses may burn at slightly different speeds.)
For the M61, an extra safety clip must also be removed before the grenade is thrown. This feature was added after reports of unplanned detonations when the safety pin snagged on underbrush, particularly in the forests of South Vietnam.
[edit] History
[edit] Origins
During World War II, it became clear that there were faults with the Mk 2 grenade American forces used: it created uneven fragmentation upon explosion, the fragments tended to go past the intended range, and the fuse caused smoke or sparks to come out of the grenade, which alerted the intended target.[2]
[edit] The M26 emerges
The M26 was developed as a result of the studies on the Mk 2. Unlike its previous counterpart, its fragmentation does not exceed a radius 15 m and its fuse creates no tell-tale smoke or sparks.[2]
[edit] Use
The M26 series was the primary fragmentation grenade used by American forces in the Vietnam War.
[edit] Replacement
The M26 series was replaced by the M67 grenade after the Vietnam War.
[edit] Variants
[edit] M26A1
The M26A1 is an M26 that has fragmentation serrations against the explosive filling.
[edit] M26A2
The M26A2 is an M26A2 modified to accept an impact fuze. It is slightly fatter than the M26A1.
[edit] M61
The M61 is the M26A1 with an extra safety (called the "jungle clip") attached to the lever. This is to prevent detonations in case the pin is accidentally pulled (such as because of it hanging from a soldier's uniform).[2]
[edit] Users
United States[3]
Canada: Canada adopted the M61, but it has been replaced by the C13 grenade, a Canadian-made version of the M67 grenade.[4]
United Kingdom: The L2 series is the British version of the M26. It has been almost completely replaced by the L109 grenade.[5]
Israel: The M26 was adopted in Israel, and is still in use in that country. Its variant is named the M26A2, but it has no relationship with the American-made M26A2.[6]
Australia: Australia adopted the M26, but it has been mostly replaced by the F1 grenade.[7]
Portugal: Portugal adopted the M26 as the M312.[8]
South Africa: South Africa adopted the M26, but switched to the Portuguese version of the M26 for unknown reasons.[9]
South Vietnam[3]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d http://www.lexpev.nl/grenades/americas/unitedstates/m26m26a1m61.html
- ^ a b c d http://www.inert-ord.net/usa03a/usa3/m61/index.html
- ^ a b Unwin, Charles C.; Vanessa U., Mike R., eds. (2002). 20th Century Military Uniforms (2nd ed.). Kent: Grange Books. ISBN 1840132763.
- ^ http://www.lexpev.nl/grenades/americas/canada/index.html
- ^ http://www.lexpev.nl/grenades/europe/unitedkingdom/l2serie.html
- ^ http://www.lexpev.nl/grenades/middleeastasia/israel/m26a2.html
- ^ http://www.lexpev.nl/grenades/middleeastasia/australia/index.html
- ^ http://www.lexpev.nl/grenades/europe/portugal/index.html
- ^ http://www.lexpev.nl/grenades/middleeastasia/southafrica/index.html
