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In order to refresh the memories and as far as possible to coordinate the testimony of all witnesses appearing before the House Military Affairs Committee's hearings on the Curry Bill, the following hypothetical questions and answers have been prepared.

The answers with references to material are accurate and are based upon actual performance, or upon possible performance with material actually developed.

The other questions propounded and answered, in brief, are not necessarily authoritative, but are simply intended to stimulate thought along some lines which the Committee may possibly follow in questioning witnesses.

Some of the questions are left unanswered as they are only possible to answer in the light of the individual witnesses' experience.

1. Q. What is the comparative explosive charge of a big bomb and a large caliber shell?

A. A large bomb (4000 lb.) has a charge of approximately 45% of its weight. A 1560 lb. (14'' armor piercing) shell has a charge of about 31.36 lbs. or a little over 2%.

2. Q. What is the limiting velocity of the present 4000 lb. bomb? How does this compare with the velocity of a 14'' shell at a 10 mile range?

A. The theoretical limiting velocity of the 4000 lb. bomb is about 1500 feet per second. Its actual impact velocity is, however, about 900 feet per second from an altitude of 16,000 feet.

At 10 miles range the 14'' armor piercing projectile has a velocity of about 1600 feet per second. At this velocity the Navy 14'' projectile has 20 degree angle a penetration of about 11 inches and at 30 degree angle a penetration of 9 inches.

3. Q. How much armor would an armor piercing bomb of this weight and form penetrate?

A. At 15 degree angle and 800 feet per second the penetration would be about 5 inches.