FUZING

COLOR & MARKINGS

TAIL NO.

OVERALL LENGTH

MAX. BODY DIAMETER

BODY LENGTH

WALL THICKNESS

TAIL LENGTH

TAIL WIDTH

TOTAL WEIGHT

CHARGE/WEIGHT RATIO

BODY CONSTRUCTION:

The bomb body is manufactured of cast steel, with a solid nose plug and with three exploders fitted 120° apart in the tail. The bomb bodies are issued with exploders inser-ted, and the exploder tubes are sealed with shipping plugs.

The tail is attached to the after end of the bomb body by 12 studs. A cylindrical metal cowling, placed between the bomb body and the tail cone, enhances the stream-lining of the bomb.

The bomb body contains an explosive filling of Torpex with a 1 in. layer of T.N.T. topping added to the after end. Four inches of woodmeal/wax composition is then ad-ded, and the filling sealed with a ½ in. plyboard washer. The three exploders pass through holes in this washer and are held in place by a heavy base plate, which is se-cured by bolts to the bomb body.

TAIL CONSTRUCTION:

The special tail unit, No. 78 Mk. I, is constructed of light alloy and consists of a cone to which are attached four fins of streamline cross-section. The fins are set at an angle of 5° to the axis of the tail cone, giving a slight right-hand spin to the bomb as it falls. The tail fits over twelve 7/16" studs fitted into the bomb body and is securely fastened to the studs by Simmonds nuts. Three hand-holes in the tail cone give ready access to the three tail pistols.

SUSPENSION:

The bomb is suspended in the plane by twin suspension links. Each link is coupled beneath the bomb by a special Vickers release clip, capable of either electrical or ma-nual operation. In addition to the suspension links, the bomb is positioned in the plan by a standard crutching system.

EXPLOSIVE COMPONENTS:

Detonators: Sensitive type - delays up to 60 mins., as required operationally.

Exploders: Primary - 2 ring and 2 solid C.E. pellets; 4 solid R.D.X./Beeswax pellets.

Secondary - 2 ring and 2 solid large R.D.X./Beeswax pellets (placed in a

special exploder tube into which the standard exploder con-tainer fits.)

Filling: Torpex - approx. 5200 lbs., surmounted by a 1 in. topping of T.N.T.

REMARKS:

1. This bomb is designed for special operational uses, and its employment will be res-tricted to certain specified bomb commands. The initiales "D.P." signify its deep pene-tration characteristics, although the bomb is not designed for armor or concrete peric-ing. Rather it is intended to produce heavy shock waves as a result of the explosion of its heavy main charge deep within the earth.

2. The bomb is carried on specially adapted Lancaster aircraft.

3. The striking velocity of the bomb, when released at an altitude of 18,000 ft. and an air speed of 200 m.p.h., is etated at 1097 ft./sec., at which speed it has developed a rotational velocity of 300 r.p.m.

4. The filling and exploder system of this bomb is identical to that of the 22,000 lb. D.P. Bomb "Grand Slam", illustrated on page 185 d. The two bombs are identical in all respects, the 22,000 lb. D.P. being merely an enlarged version of the 12,000 lb. D.P. Bomb.