T708 (Tail Pistol)

Bombs

Functioning

Armed condition

Fuzes used with

Arming time

Body diameter, inches

Over-all lenght, inches

Color

brass

Description: This pistol is a simple impact mechanism consisting of a brass body with a central channel to accommodate a heavy striker. The striker is retained by a small brass cross which is fastened to the top of the striker by a copper pin. In the normal condition, the four tabs of the brass cross extend outward over the top of the pistol body, preventing the striker from descending. Two arming-wire holes are drilled in sepa-rate planes at 90° to each other. The hole to be used is that which gives the more fa-vorable angle of pull-off for the arming wire from the pistol to the fuzing unit. Parallel to one of these arming wire holes, and about 1/4 inch above it, is located a safety-pin hole.

Operation: When the bomb is released from the aircraft, the arming wire is withdrawn from the pistol, leaving the striker supported only by the brass cross. On impact, the inertia of the striker bends the tabs of the brass cross, allowing the striker to move for-ward and pierce the detonator.

Remarks: The use of this pistol is restricted to high-level bombing operations, as there is danger of non-functioning from low altitudes.

Three of these pistols, located 120° apart in the base plate, are used with the 12,000 -pound G.P. bomb.

The striker used with this pistol is of the needle type; thus only sensitive-type deto-nators can be used.

Figure 357. Tail Pistol T708