(Fig. 35)

The fuze is designed to be used with 1 Kg and 2 Kg incendiary bombs of the 2 Kg Spez-zoni H.E. bomb to enable Italian crews to destroy their aircraft when forced down in territory under British control. The bomb, fitted with the fuze for this purpose, is securely attached near the petrol tank or other vulnerable part of the aircraft and should be re-moved complete with fuze when found. The fuze can be removed by unscrewing the standard fuze adapter of the bomb, complete with the fuze. This removes the main de-tonator.

Fig. 35

The fuze consists of a cylinder (1) (dimensions not yet available) divided into halves by a diaphragm (2) and fitted with an adapter at the base (3) for insertion in the standard fuze adapter of the abovementioned bombs. Pivoted in the centre of the upper side of the diaphragm is an arm (4) carrying a striker (5). The arm is cut away on the underside for the loose attachment of the lanyard and prepared to receive one end of a spring, the other end of which is attached to the diaphragm. The diaphragm is also bored and fitted with an initiator (6) attached to a length of fuze (7) which is housed in the lower half of the cylinder. The length of fuze is led to the adapter at the base and gives a delay of 90 seconds. The lanyard (8), 23 feet in length, is housed in the upper compartment of the cylinder and is led through a central hole in the closing disc for attachment to the cover.

The cylindrical cover (9) is a close fit over the upper half of the fuze body and is fitted with a loop for the attachment of the outer end of the lanyard. A hole (10) is provided in one side of the cover, which is used in conjunction with a similar hole in the fuze body for the insertion of a safety pin. The presence of the safety pin prevents the turning of the striker arm on its axis.

After withdrawing the safety pin, the fuze cover is removed and carried away a far as the attached lanyard will permit, i.e., 23 feet. On pulling the lanyard further the striker arm is rotated on its axis, thereby putting further tension on the spring. When the striker arm has passed the central position the striker is driven on the initiator by the spring and the lanyard becomes detached. The length of the fuze is ignited by the initiator and at the end of 90 seconds the bomb explodes.