Mk 4 and Mods

Length, inches

Diameter, inches

Weight, pounds

Burning time, minutes

Light intensity, candlepower

Color

Maximum release altitude, feet

Rate of fall after ignition, ft./min.

350

Use: Primarily, this flare is used to illuminate an area to permit the landing of aircraft. Occasionally, it is used for reconnoitering, bombing, and blinding antiaircraft defense.

Description: The complete flare consists of a parachute and illuminant contained in a shellac-impregnated chip-board tube closed at the ends by chip-board discs which are held in place by gummed cloth and sealed with paraffin. There are two metal steadying bands fastened around the case, against which the steadying forks of the bomb rack rest. The complete flare is used in a waterproof metal container.

Operation: The NAVY Flare Mk 4 may be released from bomb racks or shackles, from an adaoter, or manually. As the flare is dropped from the plane, the arming plate of the rip cord is retained by the plane and the rip cord is pulled from the side of the flare case to which it is fastened by gummed cloth tape. As the flare continues to fall, the rip cord, which is wound around a wooden spool inside the end of the flare case, is unwound, tearing away the end of the flare case. The end disc and spool fall away as the para-chute tube is pulled from the flare case and retained by the rip cord. The parachute is pulled out of its tube by the weight of the illuminant and flare case, which causes the parachute and parachute shrouds to straighten out. When the parachute and parachute shrouds are fully extended, a small cord attached to the release key pulls the release key down, allowing the rip cord to slip through the key, and the flare falls free.

An ignition wire is attached to the suspension cable in such a manner that it is pulled before the cable is fully extended. Four friction wires are attached to the ignition wire and run through primer cups of match compound. This ignites a double quick-match train, which burns down the outside of the illuminant case and ignites the primer composition, which, in turn, ignites the first fire and illuminant. When the parachute opens, the illumi-nant is pulled out of the flare case, and flare case falls clear. Full suspension and ignition occur about 30 to 50 feet below the plane.

Figure 178. Flare Mk 4 Type