Shell (projectile) facts for kids
A shell is a type of projectile used in weapons. It is filled with explosive or other things such as an incendiary device. It is similar to a bomb but is made to be shot out of a gun. Shells are usually large caliber projectiles fired by artillery, armored vehicles (including tanks), and warships. A fuze detonates the explosive or releases whatever else the shell may be carrying.
Anti-tank guns fire thick shells without much explosive inside. Shells usually have the shape of a cylinder but taper towards the front end to form a point. However, special shells may use other shapes.
Images for kids
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Some sectioned shells from the First World War. From left to right: 90 mm shrapnel shell, 120 mm pig iron incendiary shell, 77/14 model – 75 mm high-explosive shell, model 16–75 mm shrapnel shell.
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155 mm M107 projectiles. All have fuzes fitted.
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The 'flying-cloud thunderclap-eruptor' cannon from the Huolongjing
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A mortar with a hollowed shell from the Boshin war
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The Armstrong gun was a pivotal development for modern artillery as the first practical rifled breech loader. Pictured, deployed by Japan during the Boshin war (1868–69).
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Poudre B was the first practical smokeless powder.
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Sir James Dewar developed the cordite explosive in 1889.
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Drawing of a carcass shell
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British gun crew preparing 155 mm shells at Vergato, Italy on 22 February 1945
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Palliser shot for the BL 12 inch naval gun Mk I - VII, 1886
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Picric acid was used in the first high-explosive shells. Cut out section of a high-explosive shell belonging to a Canon de 75 modèle 1897.
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15 inch high-explosive howitzer shells, circa 1917
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BL 9.2 in common shell Mk V
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QF 12 pounder common pointed shell
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Common lyddite six-inch naval shell
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Typical World War I shrapnel round:1 shell bursting charge2 bullets3 nose fuze4 central ignition tube5 resin matrix6 thin steel shell wall7 cartridge case8 propellant
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British World War II 4-inch naval illuminating shell, showing time fuze (orange, top), illuminating compound (green) and parachute (white, bottom)
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Illumination rounds fired from a M777 howitzer
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Modern 155 mm artillery ammunition – these shells are unusual in having two driving bands. The shell on the right is a modified M107.
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M982 Excalibur. A GPS guided artillery shell.
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M712 Copperhead approaches a target tank.
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SMArt 155. An anti-armor shell containing two autonomous, sensor-guided, fire-and-forget submunitions.
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