ANTI=TANK GUNS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 May 1941, Page 7

ANTI=TANK GUNS

AUSTRALIAN OUTPUT BEGUN. ' STEPPING UP SOON. Output has begun in Australia of two-pounder anti-tank guns, manufactured entirely within the Commonwealth from its own raw materials. The Minister for Munitions (Senator McBride) said recently that production would be stepped-up by successive stages to the very high level required to equip anti-tank units at home and overseas. The 2-pounder was an effective modern weapon, designed to fire an armour-piercing projectile at high velocity. Working under the control of a major co-ordinating contractor in South Australia, about 50 engineering firms in various States had produced components for the gun, numbering approximately 3,500 for each complete equipment. Assembly and proof of the first gun had been accomplished in the remarkably short period of about six months from the receipt of drawings.

It was in September, 1939, after the outbreak of war, that manufacture of the gun was decided upon. Some time elapsed in obtaining drawings and a sample gun, thus it was several months later that production of components actually commenced. It could be claimed therefore that a remarkably short period had elapsed in the assembly and proof of. the first gun. To initiate production, it had been necessary before placing orders, to design a large quantity of jigs, tools, dies, fixtures and gauges and to manufacture in Australia numbers of machine tools, including some special purpose tools for rifling, lapping, etc. Practically all the components had been made from high tensile, tough steel, locally developed for wartime requirements and not normally used in commercial manufacture. Many difficult problems associated with the working of this steel had been solved, and new practices in drop-forging, machining and other processes had been introduced. Bringing the 3.500 components together to form the complete equipment, gun and carriage, involved .16 major assemblies, calling for the most careful planning between the Ministry of Munitions, the co-ordinating contractor and Hie sub-contractors. "The highest credit is due to all, from executive staffs to operatives, who have taken part in this splendid piece of teamwork,' Senator Mcßride added. “To the general satisfaction that they must feel in the achievement of what must be regarded as an engineering record, must be added that of knowing that it concerns the provision for the Army of a type of weapon which is classed as one of its most vital requirements,”