YaM-5 box mine
The YaM-5 (anti-tank mine 5 kilograms) was a Soviet anti-tank blast mine with a wooden case. The mine was widely used during Great Patriotic War. Wood was chosen as primary material for its availability, cheapness and ease of handling; for example, in 1942, several thousand cases were produced at Tuymen Plywood Factory by patriotic young volunteers as an after-school activity. Various types of wood were used.
The mine consists of a rectangular wooden box with a hinged lid that overlaps the front of the mine. A slot in the hinged lid's side through which an MUV pull fuse is placed. A wooden pressure bar is sometimes used on the edge of the lid above the slot. A nail is placed horizontally through the loop of the MUV fuse's striker retaining pin and two loops on the bottom of the lid's slot.
A YaM-10 was also produced; it was a scaled-up version of the YaM-5.
The wooden case was normally painted olive green, gray or white.
The mine was frequently used with anti-handling devices.
Downward pressure on the lid forced the nail downwards; withdrawing the striker retaining pin detonated the mine.
Specifications
[edit]YaM-5 | YaM-5K | YaM-5M | YaM-5U | YaM-10 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Length | 19.5 inches | 23.6 inches | 19.5 inches | 19.75 inches | |
Width | 7.75 inches | 6.9 inches | 7.6 inches | 7.6 inches | |
Height | 3.5 inches | 6.4 inches | 6.4 inches | 6.4 inches | |
Weight | 14 lb | 16 lb | 16 lb | 14 lb | 22 to 27 lb |
Explosive content | 11 lb | 16 to 22 lb | |||
Operating pressure | 300 lb | ||||
Notes | No pressure block on lid |
Long pressure block |
Short pressure block |
Long pressure block |
Larger version of the mine |
References
[edit]This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (December 2014) |
- TM 5-223, Foreign Mine Warfare Equipment
- Pamphlet No. 30-50-1, Handbook on the Soviet Army
External links
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