FUZING

COLOR

CONTENTS

TAIL NO.

OVERALL LENGTH

TAIL LENGTH

DIAMETER

TOTAL WEIGHT

DESCRIPTION:

This cluster is heyagonal in shape, and contains fourteen 30 lb. type "J" incendiaries, in two faggots of 7 bombs each, the bomb being placed nose to nose and arranged in super-imposed rows of 2, 3, and 2 in each faggot. The bombs are retained in position by the front and rear end plates, the top and bottom beams, the side fairings, tension-ing straps and the retaining bar. The front and rear end plates secure the spring-loaded covers of the bomb parasheet containers. Lateral pins on the retaining bar engage with and hold in position the tabs of the tensioning straps. A shear wire near the end plate acts as a safety device for the retaining bar. To the rear end of the retaining bar is se-cured the pivoted lever, the lower end of which engages with the piston in the fuze adapter.

The fuze adapter is fixed to the channel plate which, in turn, is fastened to the rear end plate. A nut welded to the center of the rear end plate receive the tail tie rod to which the tail unit is secured by a tension nut. A nose fairing is secured to the front end plate and fairings are fitted to the top beam, the fairing adjoining the rear end plate being slotted to receive the fuzing lanyard of the fuze and the safety wire of the tail unit.

TAIL UNIT:

The tail unit No. 44, Mk I, measuring 25.75" long and 15" in diameter, is located by the two dowel pins and is provided with two inspection windows to ensure correct alignment of the arming forks.

SUSPENSION:

A suspension lug is fitted to the top beam and tapped holes are also provided for the fitting of American lugs where necessary.

FUNCTIONING:

On release from the aircraft, the fuze setting control link withdraws the safety wire from the tail unit and at the same time, breaks the shear wire of the fuze by means of the fuzing lanyard. The cluster falls normally until the fuze functions. The explosion in the magazine forces the piston forward in its housing to cause a rocking movement of the pivoted lever. The sudden movement of the pivoted lever exerts a pull on the re-taining bar to break its shear wire and disengages the lateral pins form the tabs of the tensioning straps. The straps, thus released, fly outwards, to release the 14 bombs which, on impact, funciton normally.

REMARKS:

This cluster projectile is designed to replace the Small Bomb Container as a means of carrying 30 lb. type "J" Incendiaries.