M142A1 (Nose, All-Ways Action)

Bomb

Functioning

Armed condition

Fuzes used with

Arming time

Body diameter, inches

Over-all length, inches

Material

Steel head, zinc alloy die casting

General: The Nose Fuze M142A1 replaces the M142 for use in the 10-pound Incendi-ary Bomb M74, since the latter cannot be "re-safed" after the release pin is expelled. The M142A1 can be readily re-safed by pushing the release pin back into the unarmed positi-on and inserting the retaining wire or other wire which will hold the release pin in the safe position.

The Nose Fuze M142A1 is similar to the Nose Fuze M142, except that the head and the arming-pin retainer have been changed; two retaining balls in the M142A1 have re-placed the safety pin in the M142, and the bottom contour of the M142A1 booster cup is concave rather than flat.

Operation: The retaining wire is removed when the fuzed bomb are assembled in the cluster. While the bombs are in the cluster, a spring-loaded release clip holds the release pin in the body of the fuze. Upon release from the cluster, the release clip springs off, allowing the release pin to jump out under action of the arming-pin spring. This action permits the retaining balls to move inward, freeing the striker from the sleeve and arming the fuze. Impact forces the striker and the sleeve together, causing the striker to pierce the Percussion Primer M26, which, in turn, initiates the caviry charges and booster char-ge.

Figure 351. All-Ways Action Nose Fuze M142A1