Experiments are described in which cylindrical tubes were perforated normally at their central section. Quasi-static tests were performed using mainly square-section punches possessing pointed pyramidal heads of semi-angle 30 deg, the tubes being supported along their support generator. The dynamic tests comprised high-speed penetration of tubes using conically headed cylindrical projectiles. The equipment and experimental procedures are briefly described and results are presented showing typical punch load-penetration curves, the variation of punch load with tube length and that of a nondimensional characteristic punch load (defined later) with length-to-diameter ratio of the tubes. Typical specimens and the sequence of events during the course of a penetration process are also illustrated. The characteristics of petalling and plugging modes of failure together with those effects which are specifically dynamic in character are reported.