A. The fuzes can be set by remote control immediately prior to the instant of firing. Dead time is eliminated in time fuzes, and impact fuzes can be set for instantaneous or delay-ed actions as each bomb is used.

B. Electrical impact fuzes are extremely rapid in action because the only mechanical part, the trembler switch, has but little inertia and friction. With an "instantaneous" fuze set-ting, a bomb can be made to explode without deep penetration of the target.

C. The electrical scheme has great flexibility. The same components were used in a va-riety of time and impact fuzes having nearly identical appearance but a wide range of characteristics.

D. The fuzes are safe to handle, ship and store. Whereas in most mechanical fuzes the source of energy to ignite is always present (as a stresses spring, for instance), energy is not introduced into the electrical fuze until the moment of use. Extensive trials were made with voltages as high as 2,000,000 volts, which showed that properly designed electrical fuzes are not affected by atmospheric electricity.

E. The electrical fuzes are less expensive to manufacture than mechanical fuzes having the same characteristics, when made in comparable quantities. The cost ration is about two to three. Another feature which reduces the cost per unit is the fact that parts which are out of tolerance for time fuzes could be used in the impact fuzes.

Methods of Securing the Fuze in the Bomb

Three methods were used for this purpose; the bayonet joint type, the securing pin type, and the locating and locking ring type. The latter was most commonly used during the war. In this type, the locating ring keeps the fuze in the proper position in the fuze pocket and the locking ring secures it there. (See fig. 124.)

Figure 124 – Methods of Securing the Fuze in the Bomb

Fuzes generally have the markings on the fuze shoulder, although certain older designs had the markings on the fuze head. The markings on German fuzes must be noted very carefully for in most cases they are the only means of identification. (See fig. 125.)

The most important marking on the fuze is the number, which is usually circled. This number designates the type of fuze. The units digit is the type number; that is, type 5 fuzes are electrical impact fuzes; type 7 fuzes are time fuzes; type 0 fuzes are protec-tive fuzes, etc. This number is preceded by number of abbrevations; thus, El.A.Z. means Electrical Impact Fuze. The letter Z is usually found just at the locating pin with the number designation following.

The "ccp 1941" is the factory designation and the date of manufacture. The "1b" is the factory lot number and the German eagle stamping is the inspector's stamp. Any of the last three may be ommitted.

Figure 125 – Fuze Markings

A. Extension Caps (fig. 126). – These are used on large SC bombs, and all PC bombs.

Figure 126 – Extension Caps

B. Dummy Fuze Heads (fig. 127.). – These are used on the SD 250 and on the various C 250 incendiaries.

Figure 127 – Dummy Fuze Heads

D. Transist Cap (fig. 128.). – These are fitted on all German fuzes prior to loading the bombs in the aircraft.

Figure 128 – Transit Caps

E. Charging Heads (fig. 130). – These are used on certain incendiary, anti-personnel, and PC–RS series bombs.

Figure 130 – Charging Heads