USE

These bombs are thin-welded and have a high charge/weight ratio. They are used for general purpose on operations where maxium blast dama- ge is required. At the present time this series in-cludes bombs of 2000, 4000, 8000, and 12,000 lbs.

FUZING

The earlier marks of these bombs are provided with side fuzing positions which are used for special operations, the bombs normally being fuzed in the nose only. The later marks of the 2000 and 4000 lb. bombs, and all of the 8000 and 12,000 lb. bombs of the series, have three nose fuzing poc-kets, all of which generally are used.

Central exploder tubes are at pres- sent fitted in all types of H.C. bombs, and where side fuzing po-sitions or nose fuzing positions off-set from the longitudinal axis of the bomb are used, auxiliary exploder tubes connect the fuzing positions to the central tube.

CHARACTERISTICS

These bombs are characteristized by dome-shaped noses and parallel sides, and may be fitted with nose attachments to retard the bomb in flight. Drum type tails are generaly used, althrough the 2000 lb. may be fitted with a parachute attach-ment, and the 12,000 lb. bombs sometime incor-porate the normal G.P. type tail assembly; i.e., tail cone, cylindrical strut, and four fins.

The body is usually welded together and the tail bolted on. The 8000 and 12,000 lb. bombs consist of two and three body sections, respectively, bol-ted together.

H.E. bombs are supplied uncrated and are fitted with transit rings. All fuzing positions are plugged with transit plugs. Tails, nose attachments, and parachute attachments are supplied in separate packages.