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| GERMAN EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE - BOMBS, BOMB FUZES, ROCKET, LAND MINES, GRENADES AND IGNITER |
| Chapter 1 |
| GERMAN BOMBS |
| SINGLE CANDLE UNIT, PARACHUTE FLARE (WHITE) |
| DATA: |
| Over-all Length: 13.25 in. |
| Body Length: 13.25 in. |
| Body Diameter: 2.40 in. |
| Wall Thickness: 0.05 in. |
| Filling: Flare composition. |
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Fuzing: A number (31) pull-percussion igniter is used to ignite the flare candle; a ZtZ (89) B clockwork aerial burst fuze opens the container. |
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CONSTRUCTION. The body is an aluminum cylinder closed at both ends. The nose clos-ing cup is approximately 2 inches long by 2.25 inches in diameter and is crimped in posi-tion by four indentations. It is open at the nose end and perforated at the base where it is sealed by a sheet of tinfoil. Centrally in the base of this cup is secured an internally threaded bush to accommodate the (31) igniter. The 3/4-inch deep tail closing cup is secured by means of 8 rivets and carries a suspension eyebolt centrally. The parachute, attached to this eyebolt by means of a wire cable 36 inches long, is 4 feet in diameter with a 3.75-inch air vent in the center. Eight shroud lines from the parachute terminate in a loop which is in turn attached to the (31) igniter. (See fig. 78.) |
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The candle unit consists of a cylindrical pressed cardboard case approximately 10.75 in-ches long and 2.3 inches in external diameter. This case, 0.1 in thick, contains the flare compostion at the head of which is a cardboard washer with a priming of black powder. |
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OPERATION. On release of the container from the aircraft, the aerial burst fuze ZtZ (89) B operates to open the container and to scatter the 41 flares. The parachute on each individual flare opens thereby exerting a pull on the (31) igniter firing cable. The slotted striker cylinder is pulled back, compressing the striker spring, until the four steel balls are ejected into the recessed end of the fuze body and the hollow steel ball-shaped clip is pulled free. This release the spring-loaded striker which is impelled onto the detonator. The flash from the primer cap ignites the black powder primer which in turn ignites the flare composition. |
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REMARKS. This flare is believed to be similar in size and construction to the red single candle flare carried in the Mark 250-BK container. |
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SUSPENSION. 41 of these single candle flares are contained in the Mark 250-LK contai-ners. |
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COLOR AND MARKINGS. Unpainted aluminunm. Longitudinally near suspension lug mar-ked: |
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FERTIGUNGSFIRMA dbc |
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Figure 78 – Parachute Flare (White) – Single Unit |
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