FUZING

COLOR & MARKINGS

OVERALL LENGTH

MAX. BODY DIAMETER

PARACHUTE DIAMETER

TOTAL WEIGHT

DURATION OF DRIP

DESCRIPTION:

The flare has a tubular body containing the candle unit and the Mk V parachute. The tail end of the body is closed by a closing dome and has four tail fins attached. The nose end of the body is closed by a diaphragm to which a bush is secured. The transit plug or the nose fuze is screwed into this bush.

A flash hole in the diaphragm is covered by a paper disc and gives access to a "powder-puff" consisting of a primed cambric bag containing gunpowder. The powder puff is secured to a perforated disc. Its purpose is, with the aid of the perforated disc, to eject the candle unit and parachute from the flare body and to ignite the flare candle.

The candle unit comprises a steel container closed at the top by a lid and at the bottom by a dished washer. In the container is a magesium alloy candle body contain-ing a small quantity of gunpowder, some priming composition, and a quantity of incen-diary composition. The hole in the washer is closed by a primed cambric disc.

The candle unit is held in place in the flare body by a felt washer, felt strips, and three wooden slats. The slats extend beyond the top of the candle unit and the closing dome and, when the flare is functioned, push off the closing dome to permit the candle unit and parachute to move out of the flare body. A shackle attached to the lid con-nects the candle unit to the suspension rope of the parachute.

SUSPENSION:

A suspension band with two removable suspension lugs is secured to the flare body. The lugs are secured to the suspension band by screws having a locking wire passing through their heads. A crutch pad is also secured to the flare body.

FUNCTIONING:

When the fuzed flare is released "live" from the aircraft, the fuze is set in operation, and the flare falls freely until the magazine charge explodes. The flash from the charge passes through the flash hole in the diaphragm and ignites the powder puff.

The gases formed by the burning of the gunpowder in the puff exert pressure on the under side of the perforated disc, forcing the candle unit toward the closing disc so that the wooden slats push off the dome. The candle unit and parachute are ejected from the flare body, which falls away along with the expended fuze. The flash from the puff passes through the holes in the perforated disc to ignite the primed cambric disc and the gunpowder at the nose of the candle. The gunpowder ignites the priming com-position, which in turn ignites the incendiary composition. As the incendiary composition burns, the magnesium alloy candle body also burns, and pieces of the burning candle fall away, giving the appearance of a vertical chain of white lights in the sky.

REMARKS:

1. These flares are similar in external appearance to the Mk IV 4.5" Reconnaissance Flare (see external on page 116).

2. Mk II Flare: This flare is similar to the Mk I, except that just below its lid, the candle unit is provided with a container filled with gunpowder. This gunpowder is ignited by the incendiary composition and ejects any magnesium alloy which remains in the candle unit when the incendiary composition is expended. This insures that odd pieces of burning magnesium alloy do not continue to fall after the flare has served its pur-pose.

3. Mk III Flare: This flare is identical to the Mk II, except that the burning time has been increased to 120 secs. by use of a different type of incendiary composition and of a steel container and magnesium alloy candle body which are 3" longer than those in the Mk II Flare. The increased length of the candle unit is accommodated by reducing the space occupied by the parachute.