DATA:

OVERALL LENGTH

56.0 in.

DIAMETER

WIDTH OF TAIL

FUZING:

GENERAL:

The cluster adapter is streamlined in shape, and when filled it becomes a 500 lb. aimable cluster designed to be carried by any plane equipped to carry a 500 lb. bomb. Clusters formed with this adapter are the M14 which contains 110 AN-M50TA2 incendiary bombs, and the M17A1 which contains 88 AN-M50A2 and 22 AN-M50XA2 incendiary bombs.

The cluster adapter consists of a thin metal case with a channel bar extending through the center, and a standard tail fin fixed to the aft and plate by means of a single, heavy bolt. At the forward end, a rounded nose fairing is fastened to the forward end plate. From the fuze seat, a length of primacord extends through a thin metal tube to the aft end of the adapter. The adapter is equipped with three sus-pension lugs, the center lug added for use in British plane.

When the cluster adapter is loaded the bombs are packed around the channel bar and the assembly is held in place by nine metal straps.

OPERATION:

On release, the arming wire is pulled allowing the fuze to arm and fire at the pre-set time. When the fuze fires, the primacord is detonated, breaking the metal straps holding the assembly together and allowing the bombs to fall free.

REMARKS:

The cluster adapter is filled and shipped to the field with a single cluster in each crate. Further assembly consists primarily of fixing the tail in place and installing the fuze and arming wire. The fuze is put in the cluster after it is loaded in the plane.

The M10A1 cluster adapter is similar in appearance to the E6R2, but differs inter-nally. The bombs in the M10A1 are packed around a channel bar while in the E6R2 cluster bare surrounding the bombs hold them in place.