A.T. 9-lb. Mk I (Obsolete)

Body Construction: The body is made of thin metal, approximately rectangular in shape,, having a squar cross section with rounded corners. It tappers shlightly from the rear toward the nose. The body is closed at the nose end by a front cover housing a nose cup, which is taped and cemented in place. The nose cup of the rear bomb forms a safety device for the fuze in the  front bomb of a pair, as bombs are dropped in pairs. The rear cover is located approximately in the middle of the bomb. The bomb incorpor-ates a steel, cone-shaped charge.

Tail Construction: The tail is integral with the body, being only a continuation of the thin metal case. The rear bomb of a pair has a retarder plate to pull the rear bomb free of the front one when dropped from the container. The tail also has a safety tube of light-gauge metal with a cardboard inner sleeve, forming a safety device for the fuze of the rear bomb of a pair. A locating plate near the rear of the safety tube locates the tube in the tail of the bomb.

Suspension: These bombs are carried in the 250-lb. Small Bomb Container, which holds 24 bombs. They are loaded in pairs, with the nose of the rear bomb housed in the tail of the front bomb.

Explosive Components

Exploder – C.E. pellet housed in the bottom of the exploder container

Filling – Nobel's explosive No. 808, with shaped charge effect

Remarks: The bomb is designed for use against tanks and armored vehicles. It will blow a hole approximatel nine inches in diameter in armor plating 2 in. thick, and is effec-tive at striking angles up to 45 degrees.

The 9-lb. A.T. Practice Bomb Mk I is appriximately the same shape, size, and filled weight, and has the same approximate ballistic characteristics. However, it has either exploder nor detoantor. Its body breaks up on impact with the target to release a white filling, clearly visible from the air.

Figure 66 - A.T. 9-lb. Bomb Mk I