Inside the Dangerous Bannerman Island Ordnance Cleanup

This Q&A session features Nic Jenzen-Jones of Armament Research Services (ARES) discussing small arms in modern conflict zones. Topics include Russian cartridge development, the illicit arms trade, ammunition supply for insurgents, the resurgence of .308 caliber rifles, locally produced arms, rifle grenade popularity, the future of UK small arms production, NATO ammunition trends, the weapons used by 'bad guys,' the impact of man-portable anti-tank weapons and modern anti-armor systems, small arms and optics in Afghanistan, the influence of the US firearms market on global trade, interesting non-technical developments in the arms trade, North Korean helical drum magazines, careless ammunition, and de-mining efforts.

This video details the unloading of three World War II-era bombs: the AN M81-260lb, AN M64-500lb, and AN M65-1000lb. The description indicates that these ordnance items will be available for purchase on their website in both restored and unrestored conditions. The content focuses on historical military ordnance and their potential resale.

This video showcases the M117 750lb demolition bomb, specifically detailing the MAU-91A/B high-drag tail assembly. It highlights the removal of the nose fuze, revealing its mechanical arming mechanism, and displays crucial markings on the bomb body, including its model (M117A/3), weight (708 lbs), and manufacture date (February 1973). The demonstration of the tail assembly's fin deployment for low-altitude bombing provides insight into its specific application.

This short demonstrates the disassembly of an inert MK2 'pineapple' style grenade. It highlights safety markings like a drilled hole and blue paint on the fuse. The process involves removing the pin and spoon, then unscrewing the fuse housing to reveal the hollow body designed for fragmentation.

This video details the unique 'French Finger Trap' issue with the MAS-36 rifle's bayonet, where two rifles can become unintentionally locked together. A 1951 French arsenal memorandum identified this problem, proposing a simple modification to the bayonet handle. Drilling a small hole allows a tool, like a firing pin, to depress the internal spring, enabling the separation of locked rifles.

The M134 Minigun is a scaled-down 7.62 NATO rotary cannon, requiring 24V DC power and consuming 1.5 kW. Its high rate of fire (3,000+ RPM) is essential for aircraft engagement windows. The complex delinker mechanism is critical for feeding ammunition, and practical hand-held use is impossible due to weight and recoil. Live fire demonstrates rapid ammunition consumption and the need for indirect aiming.

The H&K G11 is a revolutionary prototype assault rifle designed in the late 20th century, notable for its caseless ammunition and unique rotating drum bolt mechanism. Despite advanced features like a 2000 RPM burst fire rate and integrated optics, its development was ultimately halted by geopolitical shifts and cost concerns.

This video demonstrates the assembly and live-fire of the German 1936 pattern light mortar (L.Gr.W.36). It highlights the mortar's leveling mechanism for accuracy and the difficulty in visually tracking its 50mm projectiles after firing. The content showcases historical military hardware and its operational use.