A.P. Mine No.5

Last updated
A.P. Mine No.5(mark I)
TypeAnti-personnel mine
Place of originGreat Britain
Specifications
Height3.625in(9.2cm)
Diameter2in(5.08cm)

Filling50/50 Pentolite or RDX/TNT
Filling weight6.75lb(3.06kg)

The A.P. Mine No. 5 was a British anti-personnel mine of World War II. [1] [2]

Contents

Design

Parts

The mine itself is a cardboard cylinder to avoid detection by metal detectors. [1] The mine trigger is a hollow ebonite rod on top of the mine, which in later versions is replaced with a circular steel pressure plate to increase the trigger area. [1] Explosive filling is either 50/50 pentolite or RDX/TNT. To save the mine when not in use, a wooden plug is inserted in its fuse well.

Detonation process

The mine is activated by downward pressure on the top of the mine, for example by a soldier's foot. [1] This forces down the ebonite rod on top of the mine which goes through the mine collar below it. [1] This releases retaining balls that the collar was holding which in turn release the spring-loaded striker. [1] This then pierces the No. 99 MK I detonator which activates booster charges on either side of it, detonating the mine. [1]

Arming and disarming

To arm the mine, first off, if the wooden safety plug is still in the fuse well, remove it. [1] Then insert the No. 99 detonator, and then insert the ebonite rod containing the striker (among other things) in the fuse well above the detonator. [1] Make sure that no pressure is applied to the rod after insertion to avoid accidentally setting off the mine. [1] To disarm the mine do the opposite of arming: remove the striker and then the detonator. [1]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "A/P Mine No5". www.lexpev.nl. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  2. "British Mines of the Second World War". www.wwiiequipment.com. Retrieved 2021-01-20.