British, Cold War - 1955 Dated, 30mm ADEN Practice Cartridge Case – ROF Radway Green / Swynnerton – PRAC 2Z – Inert Aircraft Cannon Ammunition

*British, Cold War - 1955 Dated, 30mm ADEN Practice Cartridge Case – ROF Radway Green / Swynnerton – PRAC 2Z – Inert Aircraft Cannon Ammunition*

An original British Cold War-era 30mm ADEN revolver cannon practice cartridge case, retaining its fired primer and clearly marked to both Royal Ordnance Factory Radway Green (RG) and Royal Ordnance Factory Swynnerton (SWN). This example is a desirable early production case dating from 1955, later loaded and assembled into a complete practice round in 1957. It represents the type of ammunition used with the famous 30mm ADEN aircraft cannon, one of Britain’s most successful post-war autocannon systems.

The ADEN (Armament Development Establishment, Enfield) cannon entered service during the early Cold War and armed many iconic RAF aircraft including the Hawker Hunter, Supermarine Swift, English Electric Lightning, Hawker Siddeley Harrier, and early variants of the F-4 Phantom in British service. Derived from the wartime German Mauser MG 213C revolver cannon concept, the ADEN became a standard aircraft weapon across NATO and Commonwealth forces.

The markings read:

PRAC 2Z SWN 28/57
30MM RG 55

Marking breakdown:
PRAC – Practice loading (inert training ammunition)
2Z – Practice Mk.2 type with nitrocellulose propellant designation
SWN – Royal Ordnance Factory Swynnerton, Staffordshire; loading and assembly facility
28/57 – Lot 28, assembled/filled in 1957
30MM – Calibre designation
RG – Royal Ordnance Factory Radway Green, Cheshire
55 – Brass case manufactured in 1955

Approx. Measurements – Height: 11 cm. Base diameter: 3.2 cm.

History Note:
ROF Radway Green manufactured the cartridge case itself, while ROF Swynnerton—one of Britain’s major ammunition filling factories—assembled and loaded the finished practice cartridge. Swynnerton had been built during the Second World War and remained a major munitions facility throughout the Cold War. Practice rounds such as this allowed pilots to train with realistic ammunition handling and ballistics without the expense or danger of live explosive projectiles.

*Condition*
Brass case displays age-related handling wear, surface scratches, minor staining and areas of verdigris around the primer. Fired condition with neck opening visible from projectile removal. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.

A good early Cold War RAF aviation and ordnance display piece associated with some of Britain’s most famous jet aircraft.

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