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| BRITISH EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE |
| Part 1 - Chapter 21 |
| Cluster Projectiles |
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Cluster Projectile 350-lb. No. 23 Mk I, and 500-lb. No. 24 Mk I (Service) |
| Data |
| Fuzing | Tail Fuze No. 885 Mk I |
| Color markings | Dark green over-all; one tensioning strap painted red |
| Contents | No. 23, 14 modified U.S. 20-lb. fragmentation bombs; |
| No. 24, 20 modified U.S. 20-lb. fragmentation bombs; | |
| Tail No. | No. 23, No. 64 Mk I; No. 24, No. 66 Mk I |
| Over-all length | Nos. 23 and 24, 62.25 in. with blunt nose; No. 24, 71.75 in with streamlined nose |
| Body diameter | No. 23, 11.1 in.; No. 24, 14.5 in. |
| Tail length | No. 23, 27.5 in.; No. 24, 30.5 in. |
| Total diameter | No. 23, 12.6 in.; No. 24, 18.0 in. |
| Total weight | No. 23, 335 lb.; No. 24, 467 lb. |
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Description: These clusters are identical in construction, and function in a similar manner. The Cluster No. 23 Mk I, however, is approximately hexagonal in cross-section, while the No. 24 Mk I is roughly octagonal. |
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The bombs forming the cluster are retained in two fagots of 7 bombs each in the No. 23 and 10 bombs each in the No. 24 by means of top and bottom beams, front and rear end plates, side fairings, and four tensioning straps. The tensioning straps are held in po-sition by lateral pegs on the release rod, which is carried on the top beam. The release rod is connected to a lever and piston mechanism, the cylinder of which also forms an adapter for the barometric fuze and is located on the rear end plate. Before the fuze is fitted, the adapter is closed by a washered plug. |
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The cluster is converted into an aimable cluster by the addition of a blunt nose fairing and a durm-type tail. A streamlined nose fairing is designed only for the Cluster No. 24 Mk I, when it is to be stowed externally on the aircraft. |
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Tail Construction: The Tail Unit No. 66 Mk I of the Cluster No. 24 consists of a tail cone having an approximately octagonal base to which is circular strut is attached by seven tail fins. The cone is fitted with the conventional arming assembly consisting of arming vanes, arming spindle, and an arming fork. The tail is fastened to the cluster by a tie rod, and has two dowel holes in its base to position it. The cone is fitted with two inspection windows. |
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The Tail Unit No. 65 Mk I is similar to the No. 66 Mk I except that it has a hexagonal base, and only six tail pins. |
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Functioning: On release from the aircraft, the cluster falls until the fuze functions. The explosion in the magazine forces the pistoon forward in its housing and causes a rocking movement of the pivoted lever. The sudden movement of the lever exerts a pull on the retaining bar and breaks teh shear wire, disengaging the lateral pins from the tabs of the tensioning straps. The straps are thus released and fly outwards, releasing the bombs. |
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Suspension: A British type suspension lug is fitted to the top beam, and two crut-ching pads bolted to the beam are used when a British type bomb carrier is fitted to the cluster. Two sets of four tapped holes are provided in the top beam for the attachment of American type suspension lugs. Two of the four holes at the nose end of the beam normally houses the bolts securing one of the crutching pads to the beam. If American type lugs are fitted, the British type lug and crutching pads must be removed. |
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Figure 116 - Cluster Projectile 500-lb. No. 24 Mk I |
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Figure 117 –Assembled Cluster Projectiles |
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