There are many weapons in the world, which in itself is truly legendary. This includes the pomegranate "lemon", better known under the index F-1. Many people believe that it appeared relatively recently, while this is far from the case: it was the type that it was armed with the Red Army during the Great Patriotic War. So when did the “lemon” appear and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
Main characteristics
This grenade belongs to the class of manual defensive means. Simply put, it is intended to defeat the enemy’s manpower with fragments due to the soldier’s use of it manually, without the use of any auxiliary aids for the throw. In a word, a classic grenade, the principle of which has not changed since the time of the glorious scorer Pyotr Alekseevich. Slowdown time - from 3.2 to 4.2 seconds, quite “blurry”.
What is the difference between a defensive variety? This term means that during the explosion a sufficiently large number of massive fragments are formed, flying apart at a distance that is significantly higher than that for the throw. A soldier after throwing such a grenade must jump into a fairly reliable shelter. Otherwise, a high probability of his defeat with his own weapon. Here's a grenade called the "lemon."
External differences
A characteristic feature is a ribbed body cast from a special grade of cast iron. It is divided into exactly 32 segments. Theoretically, this should mean that under the blast all the same 32 fragments are formed, but in practice this is far from always the case. Together with the fuse of pomegranate, the lemon weighs as much as 0.6 kg. TNT acts as an explosive . Hitch - 60 grams. The fuse is characterized by its versatility, as it can be used simultaneously with grenades RG-41, RG-42, RGD-5. Its index is UZRGM.
It should be remembered that combat grenades are painted strictly in green, which can vary from khaki to dark olive. The training option is black, on the surface of the "shell" in this case there are two white stripes. In addition, the training lemon grenade has a hole in the bottom. Important! The military fuse has no indication color.
The training grenade is characterized in that it has a receipt and the entire lower part of the pressure lever is painted in scarlet color. Since you can make a training lemon (grenade) from a combat one, unscrew the fuse and "fry" the hull at the stake (explosives simply burn out without explosion), you should not forget about this feature when making an ersatz. Otherwise, someone might “catch” a heart attack in the exercises.
Where did the “lemon” come from in the Russian land?
Most likely, the prototype was a Mils grenade from the First World War. At that time, it was the most advanced weapon in its class. This assumption is probably not without a grain of truth, since they are surprisingly similar in form and design principle to the fragmentation shirt. However, there is another point of view.
F. Leonidov believes that the French F-1 (!), Which was adopted in 1915 and ... the English grenade of the Lemon system (one of the versions why the F-1 grenade is called the "lemon"), served as the direct model for the assembly. But is it really so, no one can prove it anymore.
In principle, this is not so important, because the design has sunk - primordially domestic, and the high technological effectiveness of production is a tribute to the Soviet weapons tradition. Both English and French samples of the WWI are much more difficult to manufacture and more expensive.
Different fuse options
At first it was equipped with a fuse, the author of the design of which was F.V. Koveshnikov. According to the principle of operation, it was absolutely similar to the modern one, but it was distinguished by a slightly more laborious manufacture. But its main drawback was that it was "eaten" only by a hand-held defensive grenade F-1 "lemon".
In 1941, E. M. Vitseni and A. A. Bednyakov created a model of UZRG, which is suitable for almost all domestic grenades. This design turned out to be so successful that after the war under the name UZRGM (modified) it remained in service and is still being manufactured.
Pomegranates are stored in wooden crates. Packing - 20 pieces each. Fuses are stored in the same place, but in metal cans (sealed), ten pieces per package. The weight of a fully equipped container is exactly 20 kilograms.
About flying apart fragments and luck
It is difficult to talk about the maximum throwing distance: if a soldier is a master of sports in discus throwing, it can exceed 100 meters. A physically developed person will throw it (on average) 30-35 meters. The fragments (in practice) fly about 30 meters. An important digression should be made here.
In almost all the instructions it is said that the "lemon" grenade "scatters" fragments for 150-200 meters. This is not entirely fiction: indeed, individual “flaws” can fly into such a distance. But there is no question of the zone of guaranteed defeat in this case.
Moreover, in other situations, fragments even from the RG-42 fly away for 200 meters, the creators of which did not stutter about such records. This is not an indicator. The experience of participants in real hostilities says that the zone of guaranteed destruction by mines, grenades and the like of "good" is about 35-40 meters, not more. If further - then everything here depends on individual luck. If you’re very, very lucky, then there is a chance that you will be alive a meter from the exploded “lemon”.
On the real use of grenades in battle
Experienced soldiers say that throwing grenades are extremely capricious and unpredictable. Nobody knows what to expect from her. Repeatedly, cases were recorded when people died from a fragment of their own grenade, while the enemy did not even have scratched people. This is especially true in the mountains, where in fact the very “well done” is a bayonet, since in some situations it is even dangerous to shoot there.
Of course, in a movie, the Hollywood heroes can throw up a single offensive (!) “Cracker” until the platoon of villains, inclusive. In reality, the F-1 “lemon” fragmentation grenade can cause many problems to the person who threw it, and not to his opponents.
A truly documented miracle
In 1987, in military unit 74292 there was a real case when the F-1 exploded inside (!) The T-62 tank. And the hatches were open. “Standing” exercises were held, a young soldier was in place of the tank commander, and the comrades in the rank of captain acted as the loader. So here. The commander did not receive any damage at all, and a tiny splinter flew into the soldier's hand. But the entire internal tank "tripe" was literally riddled with fragments.
The case resembles a fairy tale, but it is really documented. So hoping to “mow” a whole company of opponents with a grenade is quite an unpromising undertaking. In mountainous or wooded areas, the enemy (if he is somehow trained) will almost certainly be able to hide from the damaging factors of the explosion.
About proper use
Before use, the soldier must unbend the safety antennae, and then take the grenade so that the hand completely fixes the clamping lever to the body. Just before the throw (!) You need to pull out the check. It is possible to hold the “lemon” in this position for an unlimited time, since with the squeezed lever the capsule is not initiated, and therefore the explosion will not occur.
As soon as the target is selected, you should vigorously throw a grenade at it. The lever at that moment will turn around, freeing the combat drummer, and fly off to the side. The drummer initiates the capsule (puncture it), and after three to four seconds, an explosion will occur.
Remember how the films repeatedly showed the episode when a desperate sailor (soldier, revolutionary, partisan, etc.) in the last, desperate jerk pulls out a check with his teeth? If you decide to repeat this trick, take care in advance of having a good dentist, as you will have to change your front teeth 100%. Even with a hand, if the fixing antennae is not straightened, only Schwarzenegger can accomplish such a feat in his youth, so what kind of teeth are there ... In a word, don’t try to tear out a check like that!
Tales from the landfill, or Reviews of use
A variety of people fall into our army. Some “lemon” (a training grenade, but this does not particularly affect the situation) causes such uncontrollable horror that at the firing line they begin to create a variety of “indecencies”. Most often this is expressed in the fact that a person tightly squeezes it in his hands and does not hear any orders.
Others are capable of throwing a check at the target or, waving for a "heroic" throw, launch a grenade at a meter and a half. This is not a firecracker - a grenade! In this case, the "Limonka" is in fact mortally dangerous not for the target, but for the fighter himself.
Oddly enough, but women in the army behave when dealing with such a dangerous subject much more adequately. They are focused, diligent and diligent. Emotions at this moment do not visit them at all! But after the cast, they eagerly share with their friends about the "experienced horror" and "trembling tremors."
The advantages of f-1
Why is this weapon, which actually appeared a hundred years ago, and to this day is actively used not only in our army, but also in the armed forces of other states of the former USSR? The most important circumstances are simplicity, manufacturability and low cost of production. The process of the latter was extremely simple: the body was cast, molten TNT was placed in it, it was cooled ...
And the grenade was ready! Compare this with the release of the same RGO when steel, plastic, and other materials are used. “Lemons” could be produced by any enterprise that had at least some foundry.
In addition, the weight of the grenade allows it to be used effectively in urban conditions: when thrown with sufficient energy, it will easily fly through glass, branches, and other obstacles. In addition, the detonation does not depend on the force with which the F-1 will collide with the surface. It can fall on a tree, stone, steel, in a swamp or river, but it will explode anyway (as a rule).
In addition, the grenade F-1 "lemon" is quite powerful and lethal. What else do the military need? Oddly enough, a lot. These grenades also have disadvantages.
Cons "lemon"
First, the weight. As much as 0.6 kg! In combat conditions, this is a very significant mass. Secondly, the “fuzzy” action of the fuse: from 3.2 to 4.2 s. Moreover, in practice, samples are constantly found that can explode both in less time and in more time. In one of the parts of Transbaikalia, this circumstance almost led to a tragedy when a grenade exploded in eight seconds!
The soldier at that time had already leaned out from behind the shelter, and only by a lucky chance he was not shredded by fragments. In addition, in combat conditions, the prolonged action of the fuse can lead to the fact that a particularly “nimble” enemy will simply throw out a “gift” that has flown to him.
Thirdly, there is no option for a grenade that would be detonated immediately after contact with the target. These are the so-called mountain models. In Afghanistan, this has repeatedly led to tragedy, when an abandoned shell bounced off a stone and flew back. All these shortcomings were absent in the grenades of the Russian Geographical Society and the Russian Humanitarian Society . But they were much more expensive and more difficult to manufacture, and their release came in the period of the collapse of the USSR. So the same “efka” remained on guard.
Grenade "lemon" F1, having many positive qualities, in any case, will be in service with our army for many more years.