Flamethrower, Portable, No 2 (Lifebuoy)

History

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Unlike the American, German and Soviet armies of World War II, the British military has never been so supportive of portable portable flamethrowers. Therefore, the development of this weapon was given low priority and did not begin until 1941.

At this point, Britain had been at war with the Axis powers since the September 1939 declaration, and the Germans had finally conquered the Netherlands and Norway in northern France to go to war with the Soviet Union before conquering the Eastern Front. With this, the British seem to have been influenced by the German-developed, short-lived, low-production, short-lived Flammenwerfer 40 series flamethrowers.

In contrast to the multi-tank configurations of American, German and Soviet flamethrowers, the United Kingdom chose to develop the round shape to provide a more convenient mode of transportation and to provide the largest internal volume for the required fuel and propellant. From the outside, the system is in the shape of a torus, the holes are filled, the outer ring contains the fuel supply, and the inner tank contains the propellant. This shape has given the "Flame Thrower, Portable, No. 2" the well-known nickname "Lifebuoy".

In addition to the backpack tank system (secured by a traditional strap), there is a conduit running from the bottom of the system to the portable projector unit. The projector includes a release mechanism and front grip for maximum support. Ignition is via a combustible fuze (allowing a 10 x 1 second explosion), and the gun has a range of up to 120 feet (about 40 yards).

The entire lifebuoy system weighs 64 pounds on par with its contemporaries elsewhere, though it's still a bulky load.

Specification

Basics

Years of Service

1943

Origins

UK

Categories

Infantry Portable Flamethrower

Manufacturer

State Factory - UK

Operators

UK

Roles

Special weapons for specific characters on the battlefield.

Dimensions and Weights

Curb Weight

66.14 lbs

30.00 kg

Attractions

Not applicable

Action

Iolite Ignition

Cartridges and Paper Feeds

Caliber*

Not applicable

Circle/Feed

1 x 18.2 liter fuel tank

POWER

Maximum efficiency. Arrived

120 feet

(37 m | 40 yards)

Variants

Flamethrower, Portable, #2 ("Lifebuoy") - Name of the basic series. Flamethrower, Portable, No. 2, Mk I - first designation in production series; ignition failure and poor quality control led to retirement by mid-1943. Flamethrower, Portable, No.

2, Mk II - Second production series, appeared in mid-1944; battery powered ignition system. Ack-Pack - Lightweight variant with a total weight of 48 lbs.