DATA:

BOMBS USED IN

FUNCTIONING

ARMED CONDITION

FUZES USED WITH

ARMING TIME

OVERALL LENGTH

BODY DIAMETER

MATERIAL

castings.

GENERAL:

This fuze is unique in American aviation ordnance in using centrifugal force as its arming device. The rotational velocity required to arm the fuze is acquired by the offset tail fins on this small bomb.

OPERATION:

Two pairs of centrifugal detents are employed, one pair supporting the striker, and the second pair positioning the slider with primer detonator out of line with the firing pin. At a rotational velocity of 1500 r.p.m.'s the detente move out of the way, com-pressing their springs and allowing the slider freedom of movement. The slider is mount-ed with its center of gravity away from the axis of rotation, so when the detents move out of the slider, centrifugal force carries the slider into line with the firing pin. Upon impact the firing pin is driven into the primer detonator, initiating the explosive action.

REMARKS:

The Mk 34 bomb and Mk 227 fuze were designed for air-to-air bombing, but have not proven succesful in this use. Howevers, it has had limited use against parked aircraft and has been dropped for its nuissance value on night raids during the early stages of the war in the Pacific.