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AFEO Bulletin 5
AFEO Bulletin 5
) FUZE a
EXPLOSIVE
ORDNANCE
BULLETIN No. 5
CONFIDENTIAL
This document is issued to the sraduetes of the homb r'isposal
-el-cel and the Advanced vuze '• "xrlcsive crdr.ar.ee course by
t'-e officer ’n C'-ar -e, "a-’v Porch rir-osal -e' ool, unce- auth-
-rit- of -ureau of rrc-a-ee letter ^41-6(1) dated 22 April
^44 It <s for ir.for-stlon e-d -uldance only and !e not
a nvreau of Ordna-ce rvhllcaMcn. This document shall be
deetroveo bv burnin’ .-den-5- has ful illec its nurnose.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pag*
BOMBS;
incendiary Bombs;
AN-M52 2
AN-M50 2
AN-M50X 4
AN-M5OA1 4
AN-M5OX-A1 4
AN-M50A2 4
AN-M5OT-A2 4
AN-M50X-A2 6
AN-M50X-A3 6
AN-M54 6
AN-M54X 9
AN-M54X-A1 9
AN-M69 9
M74 (E5) 13
AN-M47A1 16
AN-M47A2 16
Mk 28 17
M70 17
AN-M76 17
Incendiary Clusters:
AN-M6 20
M7 20
AN-K8 21
M9 21
MIO 22
Mil 22
AN-M12 22
AN-M13 22
M17A1 23
E6R2 25
incendiaries - Tactical Use of 27
Chemical Bombs:
M78 30
AN-M79 32
FUZES;
MISCELLANEOUS;
Needle Valve Ml for M78 and AN-M79 Bombs 32
Rockets - Tactical Use of 38
Zero Length Rocket Launcher, Mk 5 Mod 1 38
BOMBS
INCENDIARY BOMBS
INTRODUCTION
With this Issue of the Bulletin, an effort has been
made to compile as complete a picture as possible on all Incendiary bombs
and their tactical use which are currently being used by both the Army and
the Navy. For the benefit of Bomb Disposal personnel In the field, some of
the obsolescent or obsolete bombs are covered in the event that it becomes
necessary for such personnel to handle them.
Incendiary bombs are of two types, those released in
clusters for area bombing and those released Individually for point bombing.
In some of the smaller bombs such as the magnesium alloy incendiaries, the
metal case serves as the main charge, while in others the charge is contained
in a sheet metal body and requires an explosive burster to open the body and
distribute the charge.
BOMBS RELEASED IN CLUSTERS
Bombs designed for use In clusters are similar in the
following respects;
1. Their else ranges from two to ten pounds.
2. They are usually hexagonal In shape rather than round to
permit solid packing in the cluster.
3. in most cases they use an Integral Inertia type fuse which
Is armed when the bomba are released from the cluster. The
arming mechanism of the fuse consists of a safety plunger
or arming plunger which Is held depressed against spring
action by the adjacent bomb In the cluster. When depressed,
the plunger prevents freedom of the firing pin to move toward
the primer.
If a cluster should break up In handling or otherwise
accidentally release Its bombs, It is to be noted that such bombs are armed
and deserve considerable respect. Dropping them from several feet may cause
the fuze to ignite the bomb.
Shipping and packing:
AN-M52
Status; Army - standard
Navy - Obsolete
Description;
The AN-M52, 2 lb. incendiary bomb, Fig. 1, has a
hexagonal body 9513 long and a sheet metal tall. The bomb Is 14522 long
overall and 1569 across the flats. The main charge consists of the magnesites
alloy body which weighs 1.13 lbs. Inside the body Is a 0.4 lb. charge of
thermate* and the first fire charge.
The sheet metal tall Is fixed to the body by three
screws. Three holes are drilled through the upper part of the body which
act as a vent for Initial burning. The body has a circumferential purple
band and lettering.
Operation;
While In the cluster, the spring loaded safety plunger
Is depressed by the adjacent bomb thereby preventing freedom of the striker.
Upon release from the cluster, the spring loaded safety plunger jumps out.
On Impact the weight of the striker causes the thin brass cross to collapse
and thus allow the striker to hit the primer cap which In turn Ignites the
first fire charge and subsequently the thermate and the magnesium case. The
thermate burns for 65 seconds, melting and igniting the magnesium alloy case
which continues to bum for a total burning time of 8 minutes. This bomb
requires a dron of 30 feet or more to Insure functioning.
AN-M50
AN-M6OA1
AN-M50T-A2
Status; Army - Standard
Navy - Service
The chemical Warfare Service has carried on a consider
able amount of development work to find a satisfactory toxic agent for
AN-M60X-A2
Status: Army - Limited stsndard
----------- Navy - service
Description;
The AN-MSOX-A2, Pig. 5, is the same as the AN-M60A1
with the addition of an explosive head. The magnesium alloy body filled
with thermate, the sheet metal tail and integral fuse are of the same con
struction as the AN-M5OA1 bomb. The explosive head consists of a steel nose
cap which houaea throe tetryl pellets, a detonator and a delay fuse. Types
A and B indicate minor manufacturing differences and are marked accordingly
on the outside of the body.
Operation;
After impact the bomb burns for about 1.5 minute a at
which time the delay fuse la Ignited. The burning fuse provides a delay
ranging from a few seconds to several minutes and ignites the detonator
which explodes the tetryl pellets and projects fragments of the steel shell
and particles of burning magnesium.
AN-M50X-A3
Status; Army - Stsndard
Ilavy - Service
Description;
The AN-M5OX-A3, Pig. 3, Is the latest modification used
by both Army and Navy. It Is Identical to the AN-M5OX-A2 except that the
aesembly around the primer cap and the first fire charge has been water
proofed for extra protection.
Bealdes the minor manufacturing differences between
Types A and B, the length of burning varies, prou the time of ioqpaot until
the explosion of the head, the Type A bomb burns for from two to four minutes
Type B, burns for only 60 to 70 seconds. Note the differences in arrangement
of the explosive heads in pig. 3.
Operation;
Same as the AN-M5OX-A2.
AN-M64
Status; Army - Substitute standard
waw - Obsoleacent
®s
Hi
SB
*----- 1'.'69 —J
Description;
The AN-M54, 4 lb. incendiary bombs. Fig. 4, are called
"substitute" because they were pressed into service as a result of a
shortage of magnesium some time ago. For naval use, they are considered
obsolescent.
The body is a steel cylinder having a hexagonal nose
plug and hexagonal hollow sheet metal tail. The bomb is 21JS long overall
and 1569 in diameter. The body ie filled with 1.6 lb*, of thermate and
the first fire charge. The fuse le installed in the tail plug assembly
located between the end of the body and the hexagonal tail. The tall plug
assembly le fitted to the bomb by means of screws as indicated In Fig. 4.
Operation!
when the safety plunger la released, the firing pin
rides on its creep spring. On impact, the firing pin overcomes the spring
and strikes the primer cap which seta off the first fire charge and sub
sequently the thermate. After its ignition, the thermate burns for about
one minute at a temperature of 4,S3O° Farenhelt. This heat melts the steel
body and releases molten iron.
LN-M54X
Status; Army - Limited Standard
Navy - Obsolescent
Description;
This Is a substitute bomb similar to the AN-M&4 except
that next to the hexagonal nose plug a small portion of the thermate charge
Is replaced by a steel capsule containing 170 grains of black powder.
Operation;
The ignition Is the seme as that of the AN-MS4. After
the bomb has burned for approximately one minute, the black powder charge
explodes, scattering the molten Iron.
AN-M54X-A1
Status; Army - Substitute Standard
Navy - Obsolete
Description;
The AN-M54X-A1 Is a substitute bomb similar to the
AN-M54 except that just Inside the hexagonal nose plug there Is a steel
cylinder containing a tetryl high explosive charge with a delay fuze and
a detonator. A thin spacer of magnesium Is placed between the thermate
and the fuse opening of the explosive cylinder.
Operation;
Ignition Is the same as the AN-M54. After one minute
of burning, the fuze is ignited and after a delay of several seconds, the
explosive Is detonated.
Description:
The M74, Pig. 7, formerly the E5, is a ten-pound
incendiary, the same else and shape of the AN-M69 6 lb. oil Incendiary.
It is hexagonal in shape, 1925 long and 27872 in diameter measured across
the flats. This bomb has a telescope type tail which is ejected under
spring pressure when the bombs are released from the cluster, in addition
to having an incendiary filling of IM or NP, the bomb may also be filled
with mustard gas (H), or white phosphorus (WP) with internal structural
variations as indicated in Fig. 7. The bomb uses the all-ways action
fuse M3, which, unlike the Ml fuse in the AN-M69, screws into the nose
along the axis of the bomb. Components of the bomb are as follows:
1. A sheet steel leak-proof casing extending the entire length
of the bomb.
2. A nose cup which fits into the front of the casing, having
a dome which in turn houses the fuse.
3. In bombs filled with IM or NP, a small chemical container
located issued!ately behind the dome, filled with white
phosphorus. This serves the double purpose of aiding
ignition and producing smoke.
4. Filling. In bombs filled with IM or NP, the filling la
enclosed In a cheesecloth sock, in bombs filled with white
phosphorus the filling Is enclosed In Impregnated paper
tubes Inside the casing.
5. A tall cup which fits inside the rear end of the casing.
A threaded hub inside this cup retains a well extending
five inches into the body of the bomb. This well In turn
holds the tall sleeve of the fin when the tall Is compressed
for clustering, in the compressed position, the fin portion
fits Inside the tall cup.
6. M3 Nose Fuze, Pig. 8. This is an all-ways action type fuze.
Its safety features consist of a spring loaded arming pin
and a safety pin. The body and head are zinc alloy casting.
This fuze Incorporates the M29 percussion primer and a built-
in delay charge comprised of 60% black powder and 40% collo
dion, offering a delay of from one to two seconds. The
booster cup is made of clear, transparent cellulose nitrate
and is filled with one gram of fuze powder. The body is
37032 long and 170 in diameter.
Operation;
The retaining pin is removed when the fuzed bombs are
assembled in the cluster. While the bombs are in the cluster, their
proximity holds the arming pin in the body of the fuze, when the bombs
are released, the arming pin is forced out by its spring, permitting the
safety pin to enter the cavity in the striker, impact forces the striker
and sleeve together, piercing the m29 percussion primer, which initiates
the delay charge and subsequently, the fuze powder in the booster cup.
CAUTION: ONCE THE ARMING PIN JUMPS OUT, THE FUZE IS
ARMED AND ANY ATTEMPT TO REINSERT IT MAY CAUSE
THE FUZE TO FIRE.
FK
74
EA
4-43
LOT
123
Description:
In outward appearances the 500-pound AN-M76, pig. 9,
resembles the 500-pound AN-M64 0. P. bomb. It Is 5952 long overall and
14518 In diameter. The body Itself la 4553 long.
The filler consists of a thick oil gel weighing 180
pounds. The mixture Is called PTi and liberates heat at a rate about four
times that of IM (Isobutyl methyl methacrylate). The composition of PTi Is
AN-M5
WHITE
PHOSPHOROUS LOT [][
IGNITER
U.S. BOMB
SHIPPING
BANDS
FROM-EDGEWOOD ARSENAL
ARMING TO-QUARTERMASTER
WIRE
LANGLEY FIELD,VA.
FOR-ORDNANCE OFFICER
LANGLEY FIELD ,VA.
SHIPPING TICKET
NO,
LBS.
9.GCU.FT. PURPLE
BAND
WELD
Figure 3
US. 5OOLB..AN M76
INCENDIARY BOMB.
ADAPTER - BOOSTER
HOLDER ASSEMBLY.
Make certain that both the nose and tall fuse will
function with Instantaneous action.
The AN-MS Igniter should be handled with reasonable
care. Under no circumstances should the filling plugs In the Igniter or
the filling plugs In the bomb be removed.
No disassembly of any of the bomb components should be
permitted.
SHIPPING AND PACKING:
The complete round components are shipped as follows:
1 Bomb, AN-M76, unfused and without fin, having two
shipping bands
4 Igniters, AN-MS per box.
6 Adapter booster holder assemblies with the M115
adapter boosters and fin lock nuts In a box.
25 Nose fuses AN-M103 In a box.
25 Tall Fuses AN-M101A2 In a box.
25 Bursters AN-M14 In .a box.
1 Fin assembly In standard G. P. fin crate.
1 Package arming wire assemblies (not shipped In tall
fin crate).
TACTICAL USE:
The AN-M76 500-pound Incendiary bomb was originally
requested by the Eighth Air Force to serve two main objectives:
1. penetration. A bomb of this kind, due to its
comparatively heavy case, can be used effectively
*NOTE: At the time these tests were conducted, the M74 (E5) had
not yet been developed sufficiently to be included in the
tests. Hence, this article omits mention of this 10 lb
incendiary, when details of its tactical uses are avail
able, they will be published in the Bulletin.
All the bombs tested are susceptible to drift under the influence of winds.
Drawing*:
AN-MM OhM. mrfare Drawls* MO. C14-0-1M
an-mboai a as * ■ • * 014-6-10T
an-msoxajb atas • • • ■ laia-s-sn
AN-104 ■ ■ • » 014-6-44
AS-MA9 & IQ ruse • • • C14-S-18S; KU-1B-S
AH-MT4 a M3 Fuse - • ■ 014-8-445; C14-5-3M; C14-6-378; H14-15-32
AN-M76 Ortaanoe Dept. Drawing Mo. al-0-100; 8S-14-4T
Clusters - AN-MS and M? MavOrd Chart No. AV-18-43
AN-M8 and MB • • • AV-14-U
AH-Mia A AN-M13 ■ " " AV-15-48
M17A1 Cham, mrfare Drawing No. 014-33-830
MBS « " ’ ’ 05-379
nriiuai liio 5
CONFIDENTIAL
REFERENCES:
M78 - (1) TB 9X-36
(2) Ordnance Dept. Drawings 82-14-51, 82-3-489, and 82-0-115
AN-M79 - (1) TB 9X-27
(2) Ordnance Comnlttee item No. 23072
(3) Ordnance Dept. Drawing No. 82-14-46
(4) Ordnance Dept. Drawing No. 82-0-98
FUZES
DESCRIPTION:
The Mk 243 noee fuse. Fig. 20, ie a new Navy fuse of
the arming vane type with a mechanical delay. The fuse has an appearance
somewhat similar to the AN-M103. The vanes are set at an angle of 46°
(NOTE: The modified AN-M103 vane has a 60° pitch). The vane assembly con
sists of an upper gear (23 teeth), a lower gear (22 teeth), and an Idler
gear. The arming screw la double threaded (L.H. thread) for quick arming.
A glance at Fig. 20 will show the unusual striker which consists of a long
shoulder which hits a blunt firing pin built Into the top of the delay
element. As the vanes rotate, the arming screw threads up while the arming
stem spring exerts an upward force on the arming stem. The fuse Incorporates
a safety feature In the form of a sliding detonator. It may be termed a
"discriminating fuse" since It Is designed to function upon Impact with a
steel plate, l.e., a submarine or deck plate, while It will not function
upon Impact with water at altitudes of release up to 10,000 ft. The AN-Mk
230 hydrostatic fuse may be used In the tall to function In case of a near
miss. For Navy G. P. bomba, the Mk 229 should be used as a companion fuse.
OPERATION:
Upon withdrawal of the arming wire, the vanes and the
vane cup rotate. The pinion gear runs around both the upper and lower
gears. As the vane assembly turns, the arming screw moves up and the
arming stem moves up accordingly under pressure of the arming stem spring.
After 130 turns of the vanes, requiring approximately 400 feet of air travel,
the fuse Is fully armed; that Is, the arming vanes fall away, the arming
stem has moved out of Its cavity In the detonator slider permitting the
detonator slider to align Itself below the delay element*. The detonator
slider Is then locked in place by a spring loaded detent (See detail sec
tion XX), and the slider locking pin. Upon Impact, the striker body Is
forced Inward, shearing both the locating pin and the shear threads and
permitting the striker to hit the blunt firing pin. The delay element
affords a delay of .013 seconds and Initiates the firing train, consisting
of the detonator, booster lead-in, and the booster.
REMARKS:
This fuse Is designed for use In the following bombs;
Army Navy
AN-M64 SOO lbs. G. P. Mark 12 Mod 2 600 lb. G. P.
AN-M65 1000 lb. G. P. Mark 13 Mod 2 1000 lb. G. P.
AN-M66 2000 lb. G. P.
When using this fuse the vanes should be checked by
simply turning back and forth a few times In order to determine that the
arming mechanism operates easily. The fuse may be considered armed If
the space between the vane cup and the vane cup support Is 5/16 inch. ______
Ths fuse will serve its purpose best when used against
submarines or ships, but It Is to be noted that the fuse may not function
If the angle of obliquity on Impact Is less than 45°.
~lt" Is recdtmnAndB'ff'that this fuse should not be dis
assembled in the field.
The Bureau of ordnance will prepare a curcular letter
covering this fuse, and further details concerning It will be Included In
the Bulletin as soon as they are made available.
SECTION X-X
It need cause little trouble, since standard dispersion for the rocket
Is a six-mil circle (50$ of rounds fall Into a circle 12 feet In diameter
at 1,000 yards).
The chief danger to be apprehended from the use of
rockets Is accidental firing. Pilots and air and ground ''raws must learn
all safety rules and obey them scrupulously. At high temperatures rockets
are likely to explode instead of burning. The safe temperature range is
marked on the rocket case. An explosion Is likely to damage the wing, but
Is unlikely to prevent the aircraft from reaching its base.
SURFACE TAROETr. A?’D LAND J NSTALI ATI UN5:
1. Types of Aircraft
Present plans call for equipping all types of opera
tional aircraft with rocket launchers. If rockets are thought of merely
as additional heavy fire power which can conveniently be added to prac
tically any plane, it is apparent that their uses will become veiled and
wide-spread.
2. Rocket Load
This will of course vary with the type plane Involved,
but generally the load to date has consisted of six or eight rockets
mounted three or four on each wing. The F6F has been used operationally
in the South Pacific with a load of elrht plus two 500 lb. bombs. Although
pilots of VC-7 after the Marshalls Operation reported the TPF as sluggish
with eight H. E. Rockets plus three 500 lb. tombs, the plane has been
successfully flown on short missions with the same rocket load plus four
quarter-ton bomba.
Reports on early operations of VMTB-134 have shown
that TBF's carried loads of half 355 (solid head) and half 5!0 H. E.
Rockets. Although there may be good reason for carrying both solid and
H. E. Rockets, it is recommended that each plane be limited to one type
because of the different trajectories when released at anything more than
point blank ranve. Of course tils difference is not a factor at minimum
range, but since the various contingencies dictating release range cannot
be foreseen in every case, it is believed that mixed loads should be
avoided.
3. sights
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