DATA:

OVERALL LENGTH

59.5 in.

DIAMETER

WIDTH OF TAIL

GENERAL:

M23 cluster adapter are used in forming 500 lb. aimable clusters of incendiary or chemical bombs. Clusters may be carried by planes equipped to handle 500 lb. bombs. They are designed for use in high and medium altitude bombing, the flight characteristice resembling that of the M38A2 practice bomb.

DESCRIPTION:

The cylindrical halves of the cluster wall are joined at the top by a suspension bar and at the bottom by a burster shield support bar. Cluster bars, fitted into the end plates, hold the bombs in position inside the adapter. Ballast weights are bolted by studs to front and rear of the adapter's end plates. Nine steel straps drawn tight and fastened by a metal connector, are attached to release buckles which are pla-ced on alternate sides of the suspension bar. The buckles are held closesd by two release wires attached to a release lever, which in turn is attached to a stud on the tail cone. The tail assembly is comprised of a modified box type fin on a conical support with two tai fuze adapters attached to opposite sides of the cone. The long stud that extends through the rear ballast weight, supports the tail assembly.

The Primacord wiring of the adapter is in two sections. A metal tube channels a 60-inch length of primacord from the forward end of the burster shield, through the tail cone, and into the base of the 'long' fuze adapter. A 31-inch length extends from the tail cup into the 'short' fuze adapter. (See Remarks).

BOMB CLUSTERS:

Bombs are clustered in two sections, 19 bombs in each, with the nose to the front of the cluster.

E67 Cluster

(38)

M77 (HC) Smoke bombs

FUZING:

Two mechanical time fuzes are used, one being placed in the 'long' and on in the 'short' fuze adapters. Two M153 fuze are now used but are being replaced by two M152 fuzes.

OPERATION:

On release, the arming wires are withdrawn and the two fuzes arm. Upon expira-tion of time setting, the 'short' fuze operates to set off the booster and primacord, which is channeled to the fin retaining cup. The cone is blown off by the primacord detonation, thereby withdrawing the buckle release wires and opening the cluster.

Upon failure of the 'short' fuze to function, the 'long' fuze operates 2 seconds la-ter. This detonates the primacord extending the length of the cluster which shears the steel straps and releases the bombs.

REMARKS:

Some lots of adapters were shipped without buckles and release wires, the re-lease of the bombs being dependent on the severing of the steel strapping bands. The primacord from the 'short' fuze is taped at a right angle to the primacord lead-ing from the 'long' fuze, to form one primacord assembly. Operation of either fuze would detonate the primacord extending the length of the cluster, thereby severing the steel strapping bands and releasing the bombs.

This cluster adapater is not precured by the Navy.