AN-Mk 8 and Mods

Length, inches

Diameter, inches

Weight, pounds

Burning time, minutes

Color

Intensity, candlepower

Maximum release altitude, feet

Rate of fall after ignition, ft./min.

500

Use: This flare was developed specifically for night antisubmarine warfare.

Description: This flare is the same as the NAVY Flare Mk 4, except that the over-all length is two inches shorter and the illuminant in the Mod 0 and Mod 1 has a 90-second delay fuse through its center or a 120-second delay fuse in the Mod 2.

Operation: This flare is similar to the NAVY Flare Mk 4, except that, when the ignition wire attached to the suspension cable is pulled, it pulls the friction wires in the Ensign Bickford fuse igniter, igniting the delay fuse running through the center of the illuminant. When the parachute opens, the illuminant is pulled out of the flare case, and the flare case falls away. The sudden shock caused by the opening of the parachute is taken up by a shock absorber of the solder balls and aperture type employed on the Flare Mk 4. Full suspension of the flare occurs approximately 30 to 50 feet below the plane, and 90 or 120 seconds later the first fire of the illuminant is ignited by the delay.

Remarks: The Flare Mk 8 Mod 1 and Mod 2 can be launched at speeds up to 220 knots, but the Flare Mk 8, which does not have the snubbers for the shock-absorber ef-fect, should not be launched at speeds greater than 150 knots.

Figure 182. Flare AN-Mk 8 Type