Question for armourers please.......
Thread Starter
Question for armourers please.......
Hi,
just another question on something I've ended up with. Can someone please ID the specific type of ordnance this safety device would have been used on.
Hope you can help me out, thanks in advance.
Cheers, John
just another question on something I've ended up with. Can someone please ID the specific type of ordnance this safety device would have been used on.
Hope you can help me out, thanks in advance.
Cheers, John
Looks like the safety device from a practice bomb. The bomb would be loaded into a Carrier Bomb Light Store (CBLS) along with up to three others. The bombs were 3kg, 14kg or 28lbs and had a small flashbang in them. They were supposed to simulate the ballistics of the various 1000lb dumb bombs.
3Kg practice bomb as far as the UK goes...g00gle has some good images.
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m...kgPraccopy.jpg
14Kg had a wing nut rather than a knurled one, at least on GR4s anyway.
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m...kgPraccopy.jpg
14Kg had a wing nut rather than a knurled one, at least on GR4s anyway.
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3kg practice bomb had those didn't they.
Picture here
http://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=817
I still remember a radio corporal carrying a box of them across the apron to put on the pack up trailer for Deci and the bottom falling out the box, followed by half a dozen bombs..... Never seen anyone that white since.
Picture here
http://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=817
I still remember a radio corporal carrying a box of them across the apron to put on the pack up trailer for Deci and the bottom falling out the box, followed by half a dozen bombs..... Never seen anyone that white since.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
The 3Kg had a weight in the nose behind a drawn frangible cap. On the back of the weight was a striker pin and a 3-legged spider like spring.
The 'explosive' like a shot gun cartridge was in a large bobbin like aluminum slug. This is held off the striker by the spider's legs. The safety pin was an additional ground safety device.
When dropped on a target the nose, weight, and striker would stop and the slug would continue, squash the spider and bang. It was cheap and reliable. I was told the plastic body was biodegradable and the whole cist about £18.50.
Many components were undamaged after use but there was no interest in recovery and reuse.
The 'explosive' like a shot gun cartridge was in a large bobbin like aluminum slug. This is held off the striker by the spider's legs. The safety pin was an additional ground safety device.
When dropped on a target the nose, weight, and striker would stop and the slug would continue, squash the spider and bang. It was cheap and reliable. I was told the plastic body was biodegradable and the whole cist about £18.50.
Many components were undamaged after use but there was no interest in recovery and reuse.
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That label reads to infer that if it is loaded onto a carrier and isn't being dropped, then you leave them in, which of course you didn't.
I did often wonder at what speed the label assembly would detach as they dangled in the air stream. They do seem to be over engineered for what was in effect a disposable asset.
Still, it beats the young lady on a certain VC10. who during a resupply flight with a full load of proper bombs on board, spotted the remove before flight tabs and promptly did, she then enquired on the flight deck as to what she should do with them.
I did often wonder at what speed the label assembly would detach as they dangled in the air stream. They do seem to be over engineered for what was in effect a disposable asset.
Still, it beats the young lady on a certain VC10. who during a resupply flight with a full load of proper bombs on board, spotted the remove before flight tabs and promptly did, she then enquired on the flight deck as to what she should do with them.
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RAF Germany at night and doing target for the Lightnings with my mighty T17 Canberra. Lightning finishes his bit, AEO calls "Turn now" and there is the Lightning 100m in front. Pressed the button, called "Gotcha" and went back to base - except Lightning jock was not the mate off 88 Entry at the Towers I thought it was - 'twas the boss of 92 who went all tight lipped.........
