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| BRITISH EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE |
| Part 1 - Chapter 20 |
| Aircraft Pyrotechnics |
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Navigation Flame Float Mk I (Obsolescent) |
| Data |
| Fuzing | None; water initiated |
| Color markings | Cylinder painted red with yellow label on lid |
| Over-all lenght | Extended, 17 in.; collapsed, 8 in. |
| Body diameter | 3.7 in. |
| Filling | Calcium phosphide |
| Filler weight | 2 lb. |
| Total weight | 3.2 lb. |
| Burning time | 5 min. |
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Description: The float consists of a cylindrical tin-plate canister with a tin-plate lid, having a central aperture, soldered over the top of the canister, and a slotted brass sealing patch soldered over the aperture. Soldered to the lid is an iron gauze tube, which extends axially mearly to the bottom of the canister, and is closed at its lower end. The annullar space outside the gauze tube is filled with granular calcium phosphide. At its base the canister is closed by a cap, which fits over its outside. The canister is surroun-ded by an outer fabric bag, which is considerably longer than the canister. Secured by a double row of stitching inside the outer fabric bag and above the canister, is a second fabric bag, termed the inner fabric bag. Two eyelets are located above the top of the canister in the walls of the inner and outer fabric bags at different levels. The pull-off line passes through the aperture in the leather patch at the top of the inner fabric bag and through the neck of the outer fabric bag. The aperture has a fairly snug fit on the line. |
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Functioning: When the flame float has been prepared for use by removing the brass sealing patch and has been dropped into the sea, water enters the caniter through the aperture in its lid and passes through the eyelets. The water enters the gauze tube, through which is penetrates into the calcium phosphide filling. Phosphine is then evolved, inflating the inner fabric bag, and providing sufficient buoyancy to bring the flame float to the surface of the sea. The gas escapes from the neck of the outer fabric bag, and takes fire sponatneously on contact with the air, producing a highly luminous flame. |
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Remarks: The flare may be dropped from any height and gives a reasonably and bright flame for about five minutes. A flame continues for an additional 15 minutes, but it becomes increasingle feeble and intermittent. If the sealing patch of the canister has been removed, the flame float must be dropped or removed to a safe place for dispoal. |
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Figure 90 - Navigation Flame Float Mk I |
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