Instalaza rifle grenade

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The Spanish munitions company Instalaza made two models of rifle grenade during the 1960s. As well as being used by the Spanish Army, the Portuguese Army also used them in the colonial wars that took place in its colonies in Africa.

Type I Model 61
TypeRifle grenade
Place of originSpain[1]
Service history
Used bySpain, Portugal
Production history
ManufacturerInstalaza
Specifications
Mass700 g (25 oz)
Length395 mm (15.6 in)
Diameter64 mm (2.5 in)

Filling weight342 g (12.1 oz)
Type II Model 63
Typerifle grenade
Place of originSpain[1]
Service history
Used bySpain, Portugal
Production history
ManufacturerInstalaza
Specifications
Mass510 g (18 oz)
Length333 mm (13.1 in)
Diameter40 mm (1.6 in)

Maximum firing range425 m (1,394 ft)
Filling weight88 g (3.1 oz)

The Type I could penetrate 250 mm (9.8 in) of armour, whereas the lighter Type II could penetrate 150 mm (5.9 in) of armour.[1]

Each was propelled by being mounted atop a rifle's 22 mm grenade launching adapter, and being launched by a ballistite (blank) cartridge.

The Type II was enhanced further, with a bullet trap to accept 5.56×45mm NATO and is known as the FLV.

Instalaza grenade and other rifle grenades as encountered during the South African border war in Angola and Namibia
Instalaza rifle grenades on display at the military museum, Valencia

Sources and references edit

  1. ^ a b c Archer, Denis H R, ed. (1976). "Grenades". Jane's Infantry Weapons (Second Edition) 1976. London: Macdonald and Jane's. p. 467. ISBN 978-0354005319.

External sources edit

Article (in Spanish) with reference to the Instalaza rifle grenades