115. Three types of double star signal cartridge are now being issued to motor torpedo boats of identification to friendly aircraft or other friendly surface vessels. They are the Signal Cartridge Mk 3 Mod 3, Aircraft Double Star Signals AN-M28 to AN-M33, inclusive, and Aircraft Double Star Signals AN-M37 to AN-M42, inculsive. All are used with Pyro-technic Pistol AN-M8, which is described in the section of this manual under Submarine Pyrotechnics, paragraphs 103 to 105. The signal cases and their internal contents will be seen in Fig. 51 and 52. All these signals are 1.5 inches in diameter and between three and four inches long. Some have shell cases of aluminum, and others have paper or plas-tic shell cases. It is recommended that the aluminum shell cases be saved after firing and returned to the nearest ammunition depot or air station, when possible. The aluminum shell signals all have bases grooved to fit the ejector of Pyrotechnic Pistol AN-M8. See Fig. 44.

Figure 51. – Aircraft Star Signals

(a) Signal Cartridge Mk 3 Mod 3, Fig. 51, is made up of a standard 1.5-inch shotgun-type case with a brass base to hold the primer. Two colored bands around the shell indicate the colors of the two stars, in order of appearance as read from the closing wad toward the base. The colors are also indicated on the closing wad. The signals are available in color combinations shown in Fig. 51. No means of color identification in darkness have been provided.

(b) Aircraft Double Star Signals AN-M28 to AN-M33, are differentiated by number to show the color combination of the stars within then. They are made in aluminum shell cases with standard primers. Around the base is a groove which fits the ejector of Pyro-technic Pistol AN-M8. The series is marked with colored bands or triangular dots on the aluminum cases, and colored closing disc, to identify the color combinations. In addition, the closing discs are embossed in capital letters, which abbreviate the colors of the star signal. The series, color combinations, and abbreviations are shown in Fig. 52.

(c) Aircraft Double Star Signals AN-M37 to AN-M42 are made of standard rocket paper shells with brass bases. The are differentiated by number to show color combinations and also identified as to color by bands around the shell corresponding in color and firing or-der as read from the closing wad toward the base. For series and color combinations see Fig. 51. It is expected that eventually Aircraft Double Star Signals AN-M37 to AN-M42 will be the only signals issued for the above purposes.

Operation

116. All the signals listed in paragraph 115 above are for use with Pyrotechnic Pistol AN-M8. Aircraft Double Star Signals AN-M28 to AN-M33, with aluminum shell cases, are muzzle-loaded into the pistol, and unloaded from the breech. All others are breech-loa-ded from the breech. Instructions for use for Pyrotechnic Pistol AN-M8 will be found in the section of this manual under Submarine Pyrotechnics, paragraphs 103 to 105. See Fig. 46 to 49.

Figure 52. – Aluminum-Case Aircraft Star Signals (Muzzle-Loaded and Breech-Extracted when used with Pyrotechnic Pistol AN-M8)

IDENTIFICATION top for:

color

x-aluminum (marking in black)

Stowage and Packing

117. General rules for pyrotechnic stowage as given in paragraphs 9 to 12, inclusive, apply to all double star signals. Signal Cartridges Mk 3 Mod 3 are packed in paper cartons which contain ten cartridges each. Five such cartons are packed in a carton container of paper, and four such carton containers are shipped in a wood packing box. Aircraft Double Star Signals AN-M28 to AN-M33 are packed in paper cartons containing six cart-ridges, and 12 such cartons are shipped in a wood packing box. Aircraft Double Star Sig-nals AN-M37 to AN-M42 are packed in cartons containing 12 cartridges, and 12 such cartons are shipped in a wood packing box.

Safety Precautions

118. General safety precautions applying to small-arms ammunition also apply to double star signals.