BOMBS USED IN

G.P. 50 lb, Mk I

G.P. 500 lb. Mks I - III

FUNCTIONING

ARMED CONDITION

FUZES USED WITH

VANE SPAN

MAX. BODY DIAMETER

OVERALL LENGTH

COLOR

DESCRIPTION:

The pistol consists of a brass body, a steel striker, and a copper safety pin. The body has two spanner flats above the threads, and the lower end is threaded to re-ceive the detonator. The striker rides on a creep spring and has four longitudinal groo-ves in the body, three of which are air escape grooves and the fourth containing a guide key to prevent rotation of the striker. The upper part of the striker is threaded to receive the vanes and the vane collar, attached to which is a cap to prevent dust from accumulating in the striker threads. On the upper end of the threaded striker spindle is a neck which is painted red. A transit spring rests between the vane collar and the pis-tol body; and the safety pin fits through the pistol and striker bodies.

OPERATION:

The transit pin is removed before the bomb is put in the plane and the safety pin when the bomb is placed in the rack. On release, the vanes are freed and rotate off, leaving the end of the striker exposed. On impact the creep spring is overcome and the striker hits the detonator.

REMARKS:

(1) These pistols are of similar construction except for the vane span. The Mk I pis-tols are converted No. 5B pistols.

(2) These pistols are obsolete, as are the bombs in which they are used.

(3) Pistol No. 22 Mk. I is being reintrodruced into SERVICE use, to be employed in the tail of the G.P. 250 lb. bombs, Mks. I, II, & III, which also have been recalled to service status.