DEPTH CHARGES

USED IN

FUNCTIONING

ARMED CONDITION

MAX. BODY DIAMETER

OVERALL LENGTH

COLOR

DESCRIPTION:

The depth charge pistol consists of a valve unit, distance tube, and pistol mechan-ism. The valve unit is made of brass and is cylindrical, being threaded internally in the upper part to receive the valve cover and externally on the lower end to fit into the connector of the distance tube. Centrally through the valve cover is drilled a hole for the valve spindle, and around this hole are 4 smaller ones acting as water entry ports. Around the upper end of the valve spindle there fits the safety clip which has flattened arms which cover the water entry ports. On the lower end of the valve spindle is a shoulder to which is seated a valve washer held on by a cotter pin. The washer seats on a shoulder of the lower valve body. Continual pressure is being exerted downward by the compressed valve spring which rides between the valve cover and the shoulder on the valve spindle. The valve cover is held in place by a shakeproof washer and a set screw. The pistol mechanism is cylindrical and fits into the primer tube. The pistol cover is held into the pistol body by a locking ring and is screwed into the lower end of the distance piece. Around the sides of the pistol body are drilled 6 water entry ports, and there are also entry ports in the brass distance ring which fits in the rubber diaphragm. This diaphragm fits between an inner and an outer sleeve. The diaphragm is double act-ing and is separated from the distance piece by a lead foil ring which keeps it from sticking. In the inner sleeve are drilled two holes which contain two retaining balls en-gaged with a grooved neck of the spring-loaded striker. The striker spring rests bet-ween a shoulder on the lower end of the striker and the outer sleeve, so that as the diaphragm expands and moves the two sleeves apart the striker spring is compressed. To the lower end of the pistol body is threaded the detonator carrier and detonator.

OPERATION:

On release from aircraft the safety clip is pulled allowing the compressed valve spring to close the valve, and unconvering the water entry ports. On water travel en-ters the holes in the upper valve body and passes out through those in the bottom of the valve cylinder into the primer tube. It then enters the water entry ports in the sides of the pistol body and in the distance piece. This expands the rubber diaphragm and moves the inner and outer sleeves apart until at the set depth (20-24 ft.) the balls in the inner sleeve are cammed out into a groove in the outer sleeve, and the compres-sed firing spring forces the striker into the detonator. When dropped safe the safety clip covers the water entry ports preventing the entry of water into the primer tube. Any leakage, moreover, cannot cause the diaphragm to expand, because the valve is still up and pressure will be exerted on both sides of the diaphragm.

REMARKS:

1. The Mk XVI* is the same as the Mk XVI, except that (1) it is modified to be se-cured more easily into the Mk VIII or IX depth charges, (2) an inertia safety clip is fit-ted, (3) the distance tube is sweated to the adjuster body to prevent leakage into the distance tube.

2. The Mk XIV* has the same modifications of the Mk XIV as the Mk XVI* has of the XVI.