8 inc Howitzer manual.pdf - Replica Plans and Blueprints

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the hydraulic recoil cylinder and recuperator. The front end is closed
by a cap to which are attached the piston rods of the recoil cylinder
and of the recuperator. The cap is fitted with a shutter which enables
the pressure to be tested without disconnecting gears or removing the
cap. Brackets are fitted to the cradle in which are formed bearings
for the quick loading and the variable recoil gears. Leather pads
inclosed by a brass casing are fitted to the front of the cradle to act as a
stop to the howitzer in retuming to battery. The cradle projects some
distance beyond the breech of the howitzer to form a suppo1t for the
latter in the recoil position. This projection is prepared on the underside
to receive the traveling lock and on top to receive the loading tray.
A spring pointer attached to the front guide ring of the howitzer on
the left side indicates the correct amount of recoil according to the
elevation at which the howitzer is fired.
QUICK- LOADING GEAR.
(Plate XII.)
This gear is provided to unlock the cradle from the elevating arc,
and thus allow the howitzer to be brought rapidly to the loading angle
(7° 30' elevation) after firing, and vice versa. •
The gear consists of a cross spindle supported in bearings of the underside
of the cradle, to the right end of which is pinned the front end of
the actuating lever, which is suppcrted in a bracket on the right side
of the cradle. The actuating lever has a cranked extension at its front
end, to which is pinned the rear end of a connecting rod. The latter
has pinned to it at its front end a spring plunger, which, when the
howitzer is in loading position, engages in a recess in a bracket on the
top carriage and so holds the cradle and howitzer ready for loading.
A spring buffer is fitted above this plunger to cushion the shock on the
gear when coming into loading position. To the left end of the cross
spindle is attached a short lever, to the upper end of which is pinned a
spring plunger, which, when the howitzer is in firing position, engages
in a recess in the elevating arc and so locks the cradle to the arc. There
is also attached to the elevating arc an emergency clamp and stop,
which, when in place, will not permit the use of quick-loading gear .
.Action.-1'he howitzer, having been fired, the actuating lever is
raised. This revolves the cross _spindle and lever, withdrawing the
plunger from the elevating arc, compressing the spring, and unlocking
the cradle. The actuating lever then comes to the end of its slot, and
continuing to lift on it depresses the howitzer to the loading position,
at which point the forward plunger is forced into its recess in the bracket
on the top carriage of the action of its spring.