FUZING

COLOR & MARKINGS

OVERALL LENGTH

MAX. BODY DIAMETER

TOTAL WEIGHT

BURNING TIME

CANDLE POWER

DESCRIPTION:

Mk I - The flare consists of a flare candle unit contained in a thin metal case which is fitted with a heavy nose and closed at the tail end by a metal closing cap. Housed in the rear of the casing is the parachute attached by the shackle to the candle unit. A metal tube containing a primed cambric tube connects the powder puff in the nose of the flare with the candle cap. A length of Bickford fuze, sealed at each end with a cel-luloid cap contained in the nose of the candle. Attached to the side of the candle unit is a frame to which is fixed the sheet asbestos hood. The form which folds around the candle unit has square cross-section when open and extends beyond the ends of the candle unit. The tail end of the hood is partially closed by a deflector.

Mk II - Heavy nose and suspension band are omitted, thereby reducing the weight.

SUSPENSION:

Mk I - Carried single by suspension lug on a band fastened around the body.

Mk II - Four flares carried in Cluster No. 3, Mk I.

FUNCTIONING:

On release from the aircraft the flares falls in a normal manner until the fuze funct-ions. The flash from the fuze magazine forces the parachute and candle unit out of the metal case, at the same time igniting the primed cambric. The primed cambric ignites the celluloid cap of the Bickford fuze and after a short delay the Bickford fuze fires the gunpowder charge in the nose of the candle. The explosion of the gunpowder forces off the candle cap at the same time igniting the flare composition. The short delay in the Bickford fuze allows the parachute and hood to open before the flare functions.