DESCRIPTION. The main purpose of this fuze is for use in parachute flares and other air-burst munitions. It has been used in H.E. bombs but not with too much success. It gene-rally resembles fuzes of the 59 and 79 series, but is externally distinguished from these by the possession of a rotary switch in the head. This switch is located between but slightly off-set from the two charging plungers. The switch can be turned to two positi-ons marked "58" and "41" respectively.

Internally the fuze differs from the ones mentioned above by having three igniters in-stead of the conventional two. The short delay circuit and igniter are under the A plun-ger while the other two circuit are under the R plunger. A choice between the two circuit under the R plunger can be made by means of the rotary switch.

There are two pytrotechnic time-rings joined in series and each of the three igniters can ignite this pyrotechnic train at the an appropriate point giving three posible delays. (See fig. 175.)

OPERATION. The igniter under the A plunger is in such a position as to give a 12-second delay. The other two igniters are under the R plunger and give 41- and 58-second delays respectively. If the short is required, both plungers are charged and when the missile is released from the aircraft, the igniter under the A plunger fires, giving the minimum 12-second delay. If a longer delay is necessary, only the R plunger is charged and then the actual delay received is dependent upon the rotary switch setting.

Figure 175 – (59) B Electrical Aerial Burst Fuze