7-in. Hooded Reconnaissance Flare No. 1 Mk I, No. 2 Mk I, No. 3 Mk I, and No. 4 Mk I (Service)

Description: The Flare No. 1 consists of a flare-candle unit contained in a thin metal case, which is fitted with a heavy nose, and closed at the tail end by a metal closing cap. Housed in the rear of the casing is the parachute attached by the shackle to the candle unit. A metal tube containing a primed cambric tube connects the powder puff in the nose of the flare with the candle cap. A length of safety fuse, sealed at each end with a celluloid cap containing a small gunpwoder charge, passes through the candle cap to the gunpowder charge contained in the nose of the candle. Attached to the side of the candle unit is a frame to which is fixed the sheet asbestos hood which directs the light downward and shields the eyes of the bombardier from the glare. The form, which folds around the candle unit, has a square cross section when open and extends the ends of the candle unit. The tail eind of the hood is partially closed by a deflector.

In the Flare No. 2, the heavy nose and the suspension band are omitte, thereby re-ducing the weight. The Flare No. 3 is the same as the No. 1 except that it incorporates a 2½-min. delay; and the Flare No. 4 is also the same as the No. 1 except that it has three 14-ft. parachutes.

Functioning: On release from the aircraft, the flare falls in a normal manner until the fuze functions. The flash from the fuze magazine forces the parachute and candle unit out of the metal case, at the same time igniting the primed cambric. The primed cambric ignites the celluloid cap of the safety fuse, and after a short delay the safety fuse fires the gunpowder charge in the nose of the candle. The explosion of the gunpowder forces off the candle cap, at the same time igniting the flare composition. The short delay in the fuse allows the parachute and hood to open before the flare functions.

Suspension: The Flare No. 1 is carried singly by a suspension lug on a band fastened around the body. Flares No. 2, 3, and 4 are carried in Cluster No. 3 Mk I, four flashes in each cluster.

Remarks: The Hooded Flares No. 2, 3, and 4 are each fuzed with a 5-sec. Delay Ini-tiator No. C.5 Mk I. These initiators are ignited by the functioning of the cluster fuze to give simultaneous and individual initiation to each flare after the cluster has disintegra-ted.

Figure 89 – 7-in. Hooded Reconnaissance Flare No. 1 Mk I