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| BRITISH EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE |
| Part 1 - Chapter 5 |
| High Capacity Bombs |
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H.C. 4,000-lb., Mks II and III (Obsolescent), and Mks IV, V, and VI (Service) |
| Data |
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Fuzing |
Three Nose Pistols, No. 27, 42, or 44; side fuze pockets on Mk II not used |
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Color markings |
Dark green over-all; ½-in. red band 8 in. from nose; 2-in. light green band 2 in. from nose. |
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Tail No. |
No. 24 Mk I |
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Over-all length |
110 in. |
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Body length |
82 in. |
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Body diameter |
30 in. |
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Wall thickness |
0.31 in. |
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Tail length |
27 in. |
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Tail width |
29 in. |
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Total weight |
3,930 lb., Amatol filled |
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Charge/weight ratio |
75% |
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Body Construction: The body consists of a fabricated steel, cylindrical shell with a domed plate welded to the nose end, parallel sides, and a closing plate bolted to the an-gle ring, which is welded in position a short distance inside the after end. The closing plate has a central adapter for a screw-in plug and two drop handles. The nose dome houses three exploder containers, the center one of which is extended through the body by a central tube. The Mk II has two side fuze pockets near the rear of the body. Mks II and III have strengthening beams running fore and aft, welded to the inner surface of the body, and acting as a pad for the suspension lug and hoisting brackets. The Mk IV has steel blocks to support the suspension lug and hoisting brackets, and has no beam. |
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Tail Construction: The tail is a cylinder of light-gauge plate, closed at the rear by a diaphragm plate which is welded in position. Tail securing screws thread into correspond-ing holes near the rear edge of the body shell. The forward portion of the cylinder has saw-cuts between adjacent screw clearance holes, so that the tail can be sprung into the rear of the bomb body. |
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Suspension: A single suspension lug, 43 in. from nose dome, is bolted to the bomb body and the steel support block. |
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Explosive Components |
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Detonator – (See Part 2, chap. 4, Detonators.) |
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Exploders – C.E. pellets in exploder containers and central tube. |
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Filling – Mk II, 2,954 lb. Amatol 60/40; Mk III - IV, 2,960 lb. Amatol 50/50 or 60/40; 3,070 lb. RDX/TNT 60/40, 3,088 lb. Minol 2, or 3,294 lb. Torpex 2. |
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Remarks: The bomb may be fitted with a nose attachment to retard them in flight, consisting of a light-gauge plate around the forward end of the body shell which projects beyond it around the nose piece. The side fuze pockets on the Mk II are usually not used but might contain a Time Pistol No. 47. |
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The Mk V is the same as Bomb Mk IV, but was made and filled in the U.S. The Bomb Mk VI was made in U.S., and has a metal box for lugs and other fittings welded to the rear of the bomb body. |
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Figure 21 – H.C. 4,000-lb. Bomb Mk IV |
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