CANISTER LENGTH

CANISTER DIAMETER

MOTOR LENGTH

MOTOR DIAMETER

USE:

The purpose of the Type L Apparatus is to lay a curtain of aerial mines in the path low-level or dive-bombing aircraft.

DESCRIPTION:

Canister Mk I: This assembly consists of a conical upper container, which is connec-ted to the tail of a 2 inch rocket motor by a short rod and a stirrup. In the upper con-tainer are a parachute to bring down the spent motor, etc., the main support para-chute, a bomb steady parachute, and the bomb. These items are all held in position by three retaining cords which are controlled by an explosive link. The swivel on the lower end of the bomb is connected to the top end of a 1000 ft. coil of steel piano wire, which is contained in the lower container. The wire from the bomb passes to the top of the coil through a slot cut in the central tube. The central tube is provided to aid in unspooling the wire and avoid failures due to kinking. The lower end of the 1000 ft. coil of wire passes through the slot in the central tube and is connected to a long light shock absorber, whose lower end is attached to the drag parachute assembly. This lat-ter consists of a 32 in. drag parachute housed in a bag and prevented from opening on the initial jerk at pick-up by four retaining cords controlled by an explosive link. The junction between the upper and lower containers is effected by crimping parts of the base of the upper container lightly over the top of the lower container. The electric leads for igniting the electric delay fuses extend from the base of the lower container and terminate in a two-pinned plug which fits into a socket on the projector.

Tails Propelling 2", Mks IVB & VB: This motor consists of a slightly modified 2 inch standard rocket motor. A closing plug is placed in the shell ring and the electric leads terminate in a two-pin plug, which engages a socket on the projector. The propelling unit is connected to the Canister Assembly by a 12 inch steel stirrup and a steel con-necting rod 18 inches long. A quick-fastening bolt is provided in the top of the canister for rapid connection to the connecting rod.

Bomb, H.E., A.A.D., No. 8 Mk I: The bomb consists of a light sheet steel cylinder fil-led with explosive. A detonator is held in a shutter which is normally kept out of align-ment with the striker by a clock spring. An arming vane is attached to the outside of the bomb casing, and this vane, by means of a pinion wheel, is enabled to move the shutter sufficiently to align the detonator with the striker. When the bomb strikes the aircraft, the firing pin is forced downwards by the universal striker ring, firing the deto-nator.

OPERATION:

When the projector switch is closed, the rocket itself and the delay fuzes on the upper and lower explosive links are ignited simultaneously. The rocket motor tows the top container into the air, and the wire is unspooled from the lower container, which remains fixed on the projector. At the end of unspooling, the drag parachute assembly is picked up, the snatch tension being kept within safe limits by the long shock absor-ber. The upper and lower explosve links are timed to operate when the container has reached a height of about 2000 ft. On operation of the exlosive link in the top contai-ner, the bomb and parachutes are released and pulled out of the container. Ejection of the rocket support parachute is facilitated by a very weak cord connection between the rocket parachute is fully withdrawn. The operation of the lower explosive link remo-ves the constraint from the drag parachute and leaves the parachute free to open when a plane makes impact with the wire. When a plane hits the wire, the drag para-chute opens, and the weak link securing the 6 ft. support parachute will part. The bomb is pulled downwards on to the wing of the plane by the drag parachute.

REMARKS:

(1) This rocket should not be fired outside of the temperature range of 0-120° F.

(2) The Mk II canister is identical to the Mk I except that no shock absorber is fit-ted, on side of the slot in the central tube is slightly flared to assist unspooling, and the length of the piano wire coil is 1500 ft. instead of 1000 f.t

(3) Proposed new nomenclature for the rocket motors is "Motor, Rocket, 2", No. 3 Mks I & II".