DATA:

OVERALL LENGTH

BODY LENGTH

BODY DIAMETER

WALL THICKNESS

TAIL LENGTH

TAIL WIDTH

TAIL WEIGHT

WEIGHTS:

Type of Filling

Weight of Filling

Total Weight

Chg/Wt. Ratio

FUZING:

Nose:

AN-M103A1, AN-M103, M139, M139A1, AN-M139A1, M140, M140A1,
AN-M140A1, M163, M164, M165

Tail:

T75, T75E2

Bomb Construction:

The VB-1 is a guided bomb employing a 1000 lb. G.P. body to which a special tail unit has been attached replacing the standard tail assembly. The VB stands for "Vertical Bomb" and indicates that the bomb is normaly released from high altitude by use of a conventional bomb sight and that the guided action for the bomb is re-latively small, so that direc-tion of the trajectory at time of impact is essentially vertical.

TAIL UNIT:

More popularly known as the "Azon" bomb since it can be controlled only in azi-muth 2000-3000 ft. on either side of the normal point of impact, the VB-1 has its controls in a radio receiver housed in the tail unit. A radio transmitter, operated by the bombardier, in the parent aircraft sends signals to the receiver which in turn activates a servo motor controlling the movement of the rudders in the tail fins. Also incorporated in the tail is a gyro and solenoid system which prevents the bomb from spinning by changing the pitch of the small ailerons in the fins.

Guide flares attached to the aft end of the tail unit assist the bombardier in fol-lowing the flight of the VB-1. Three flares, the T6E1 (white), T7E1 (red), and T8E1 (green) with an intensity of 1,000,000 candlepower each, are electrically armed and ignited three to four seconds after release and burn from one to two minutes. Three mechanically armed and ignited flares, T21, T22, and T23 are un-der development.

SUSPENSION:

Suspension lugs are welded to the case in a manner similar to the G.P. bombs. See Introduction, page 37.

COLOR AND MARKINGS:

The Markings are those of the 1000 lb. AN-M65 G.P. bomb. See Introduction, page 37.