D.C. 250-lb. Mk VIII (Obsolescent)

Fuzing

Color markings

Over-all length

Body length

Body diameter

Wall thickness

Tail length

Tail width

Total weight

Charge/weight ratio

Body Construction: The body conists of a welded cylindrical outer case to which a convex nose is welded. The bomb is sometimes fitted with a concave nose attachment. The rear end of the body is closed by an end cover dished inwards, which houses two filling holes that are closed by bungs. On the cover are six equi-spaced lugy for attach-ing the tail A primer tube fits into the rear cover and extends approximately half the length of the body. It has 3.5 in. internal diameter, and contains the primer, pistol and depth adjuster.

Tail Construction: The tail is an open-ended, cylindrical, sheet-metal tail supported internally by a spiral wire stiffener. A strengthening band on the forward end carries six brackets, which are attached by studs and nuts to the six lugs on the closing cover of the depth charge. Three equally spaced ports are provided in the tail, through one of which is passed the fuze-setting control link when the depth charge is loaded on the air-craft. The tail breaks off on impact with the water.

Suspension: The bomb employs horizontal suspension by a lug welded to the body at the center of gravity. It may be fitted with two additional lugs for suspension from U.S. aircarft bomb racks.

Explosive Components

Detonator – Mk VII, A.S.A. mixture and C.E.

Primer – Mk VIII, one solid and one perforated pellet of C.E.

Filling – 160 lb. Amatol.

Remarks: This depth charge is dropped from a maximum height of 500 ft. and at a maximum speed of 173 m.p.h.

Figure 34 – D.C. 250-lb. Bomb Mk VIII