BOMBS USED IN

G.P. 40 lb.

FUNCTIONING

ARMED CONDITION

FUZE USED WITH

ARMING TIME

VANE SPAN

MAX. BODY DIAMETER

OVERALL LENGTH

COLOR

DESCRIPTION:

The pistol consists of a vane cap, body, and body extension. The pistol is similar to the No. 44 Pistol, but the pistol itself and all its parts are smaller to that it may fit in smaller bombs. Six vanes in pairs are riveted to the black vane cap. A steel stop on the inside of the vane cap engages a similar pin on the top of the pistol body to prevent the cap from screwing down too tightly and binding. In the upper part of the pistol body there is screwed a steel retaining disc, in which are drilled seven holes to allow air passage. Located under the disc is a sheet brass diaphragm to which is soldered a steel needle striker, which extends into the body extension. There are two air pressure holes in the side of the body which equalize the pressure above and below the diaphragm as the bomb falls. Around the pistol obdy is a brass locking ring.

OPERATION:

The safety pin is removed when the bomb is loaded aboard the plane. Upon release, the arming vanes rotate, and after 12 revolutions the vane cap and vanes fall away leaving the retaining disc and diaphragm exposed. On impact, the diaphragm is reversed by the compressed air beneath the fuze, and the striker is driven into the detonator. The blast wave of the preceding bomb may fire the pistol.

REMARKS:

1. If, on examination, it is determiend that the diaphragm has been reversed, it must be assumed that the pistol is in a fired condition, with the striker imbedded in the deto-nator.

2. No. 45 Mk.II: similar to the Mk. I except that the two air vents in the side of the pistol body are replaced by the three air vents in the base of the pistol body.

3. No. 52 Mk. I: similar to the No. 45 Mk. II except that only five vanes are used, and the vanes and vane cap are of unpainted brass.

4. No. 52 Mk. II: similar to the No. 52 Mk. I, except as follows: (a) the vane cap is retained by a new type spring safety clip, the hook end of which locates in a hole in one of the arming vanes, while the plain end passes through the single hole in the vane cap and engages a safety pin groove in the pistol body; (b) the two safety pin holes in the cap and the four notches in the fuze body are omitted; (c) the air pressure relief groove is diametrically opposite the safety pin groove and extends from the top of the body to a point level with the top of the safety pin groove.