ADEN 25mm - why did it fail

[John Walker]

Just wondering! With its pedigree it should have been a winner.

John



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[Bill Phillips]

"John Walker" > wrote in message
...
> Just wondering! With its pedigree it should have been a winner.
>
I think it was simply too powerful a round for the existing components.

If the designers had been willing to re-engineer the entire gun, and accept
a weight increase then it would have worked. However, it had been conceived
as a simple re-chambering.

[Tony Williams]

"Bill Phillips" > wrote in message >...
> "John Walker" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Just wondering! With its pedigree it should have been a winner.
> >
> I think it was simply too powerful a round for the existing components.
>
> If the designers had been willing to re-engineer the entire gun, and accept
> a weight increase then it would have worked. However, it had been conceived
> as a simple re-chambering.

It was a bit more than that, as the 25x137 cartridge is longer overall
than the 30x113B, so needed a longer cylinder. And it did weigh more.

The reason given for the decision to can the gun is that it failed to
meet the RAF's requirements. For that, read poor reliability and
longevity.

As to why the problems occurred, I have a suspicion that the
percussion ignition may have been to blame. Accurate ignition timing
is esential to the functioning of a revolver, and all service weapons
have used electric ignition.

The real mystery about the 25mm Aden was why they bothered at all,
given that the 27mm Mauser had a virtually identical performance and
was already in RAF service.

Tony Williams
Military gun and ammunition website: http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk
Discussion forum at: http://forums.delphiforums.com/autogun/messages/