German Explosive Ordnance - Pyrotechnics (Part 3)

German Explosives

Mark S Flare, Types 1 and 2

Type 1

Overall Length: 11.5 inches

Body Diameter: 7.5 inches


Type 2

Overall Length: 7.5 inches

Body Diameter: 7.5 inches

Colours and Markings: The candle unit is unpainted aluminum or cardboard; the buoyancy chamber is unpainted steel.  If the 67/V fuze is used, the delay is marked on the buoyancy chamber.


Construction: Each flare is composed of a buoyancy chamber, a candle unit, and a fuze.  The buoyancy chamber is constructed of sheet steel and is roughly cylindrical in shape with two flattened surfaces to facilitate packing within the container.  It is sealed at both ends by a sheet metal plate.  Through the center and welded to these plates is a sheet which provides protection and support for the portion of the candle unit extending below the buoyancy chamber.

The candle units consist of two candles fitted within the center tube and secured in place by a wooden wedge.  The main flare composition is contained in a waxed cardboard tube which in some cases fits within an aluminum outer casing.  Both flare candles are sealed at the base with either a thin coating of red plastic paint or fabric coated with shellac or in some cases left open exposing the flare composition.

At the head of each candle and set within the main flare composition is an aluminum cup filled with grey powder.  Above this is positioned a cardboard washer primed with coarse grained black powder.  If fuzed with the 67/V the head of the candle unit is enclosed by a metal cap.  Passing from the fuze between the metal cap and the body of the flare candle is a length of safety fuse which terminates within a shalloon bag containing black powder.  This bag is positioned in the center of a wooden collar.  The fuze itself is secured to the frame by a bracket.  Attached to the base of the fuze is a bakelite adapter to which is fitted the safety fuse from the head of the first candle.

A static cord from the fuze arming pin is secured to a bracket in the lower section of the container.  If fuzed with a pull igniter, the candle head is fitted with brass wire gauze beneath which are fitted one and a half inflammable biscuits.  The head of the candle is open exposing the cardboard washer primed with coarse grained gunpowder.  The igniter is secured to the bracket at the head of the buoyancy chamber so that its nose makes direct contact with the inflammable biscuits.  The static cord runs from the igniter to a bracket in the flare container.

Type 2 flares may be found without either a fuze or igniter in which case the head of the first candle is closed by a metal cap in which are two holes.  Beneath the cap is a wooden collar housing two shalloon bags, the first containing normal black powder and the second a light green compound.  Exactly how these unfuzed flares are ignited is not known.



Operation: When the container opens, the flares fall free.  The static cord functions either the arming device of the 67/V or the pull igniter, whichever is fitted to the flare.  The flare enters the water and returns to the surface, floating with the head of the flare just clear of the water.  When the first candle is three-quarters burnt, a piece of safety fuse running to the second candle is ignited and after a short delay the second candle is ignited.  Each candle has a burning time of approximately 2 and 3/4 minutes which, allowing for overlap when both candles are burning, gives a total continuous burning time of 5 minutes for each flare.



Suspension: The flares are carried in "Mark 70 S" and "Mark AB 70-1" containers; two Type 1 and one Type 2 flare in each container.







Smoke Flares - Orange 160, Orange 80

Orange 160

Overall Length: 4 inches

Body Diameter: 1.8 inches
Wall Thickness: 1/16 inches (approx.)
Weight of Filling: 52 grams
Total Weight: 132 grams
Charge/Weight ratio: 40%

Orange 80

Overall Length: 3.4 inches

Body Diameter: 1.5 inches
Wall Thickness: 1/16 inches (approx.)
Weight of Filling: 37 grams
Total Weight: 74 grams
Charge/Weight ratio: 50%


Filling: Smoke composition



Construction: The outer case of the flare is an aluminum cylinder with base.  A push-on type lid is held in place over the top of the case by a strip of adhesive tape.  Inside the flare, at the base is a locating piece with a raised section at the center over which slides a perforated aluminum cylinder.  On the outside of this cylinder is wound a length of quickmatch, the upper free end of which projects into the top of the cylinder.

Between the perforated cylinder and the outer case is the smoke filling.  The perforated cylinder is positioned at the upper end by a loose-fitting disc over which sits a metal ring.  The igniter is located in an inverted cap, held in place by a locknut.  The cap has four smoke escapes covered by cellophane.

The orange 80 differs from the 160 in that the aluminum locating discs and ring of the 160 have been replaced by similarly shaped cardboard pieces.  The inverted cap to which the igniter is secured contains six holes instead of four.  The outer cap is held by a bayonet joint and adhesive tape.



Operation: Both igniters function on the same principle.  The igniter containers hold a compressed powder pellet (in the orange 160) or a rubber tube containing a length of safety fuse.  Above the powder pellet or safety fuse is a friction cap through which passes the friction wire.  The friction wire is coiled at its lower end to resist the pull.  A pull-chain is attached to the ring at the top of the friction wire.  When this is pulled, the friction wire passes through and ignites the cap which in turn ignites the powder pellet or safety fuse.



Suspension: Placed and ignited by hand.



Remarks: These flares are used as wind drift indicators





1. Smoke Signal Flare; 2. Smoke Signal Flare A. R. D. R.; 3. Distress Signal Torch

Smoke Signal Flare

Overall Length: 4.9 inches

Length of Body: 3.6 inches
Diameter of Body: 1.8 inches
Thickness of Wall: 0.04 inches

Smoke Signal Flare A.R.D.R.

Overall Length: 8.8 inches

Length of Body: 8 inches
Diameter of Body: 3.4 inches
Thickness of Wall: 5/64 inches

Distress Signal Torch

Overall Length: 12.5 inches

Length of Body: 11.3 inches
Diameter of Body: 1.4 inches


Filling: Flare composition

Color: [1] Painted yellow; cap of igniter is red.
[2] Painted to indicate color of smoke, so far either red or violet
[3] Painted red with white paper strip around body at location of white flares

Construction:
[1] Case is a sheet aluminum cylinder with base formed as part of the cylinder and with upper disc crimped to the body.  The filling is contained in a ribbed plastic cylinder.

[2] Case is a sheet aluminum cylinder with both base and top plates crimped into the body.  A lower and an upper spacer disc with hollow cylinders attached locate four perforated aluminum tubes.  A cardboard disc is painted with black powder and rests on the upper disc.  A metal ring holds the cardboard and spacer disc in place.  The filling is divided into layers by discs.

[3] Case is a sheet aluminum cylinder.  The base is a cement disc secured by four screws and retains the folding handles.  The top  plate is crimped into the body and the igniter is covered by a cap held in place by adhesive tape.  Above the cement base disc are three pressed cylinders of flare composition which burn respectively red, white, and red.  On top of the upper flare cylinder is a disc of ignition mixture.  A cardboard washer above this is held in place by a metal cylinder.


In all three types, the igniter is held in place by two lock nuts.  The closing disc of the flares may have one or more holes to emit smoke.



Remarks: [1] and [2] are used as navigation aids by pilots; [3] is used as a distress signal.








Photographic Flash Bomb BLC 50 (30kg)

Overall Length: 43 inches

Body Length: 26.4 inches

Body Diameter: 7.8 inches
Wall thickness: 3/32 inches
Tail Length: 16 inches
Tail Width: 11 inches

Filling: Flare composition

Color and Markings: The bomb case may be painted yellow or aluminum with "BLC 50" and manufacturers' markings stenciled in black.  The tail assembly is painted dark grey.


Construction: In exterior appearance, this bomb is similar to the SC 50kg Type I except that the case is made of sheet steel with a heavy nose section.  There is a circular steel plate just forward of the fuze pocket and the nose section is not filled.  The base plate is attached by shear screens.  The tail is similar to that of the SC 50kg bomb consisting of four vanes welded to a cone which is riveted to a base plate.



Suspension: Vertical or Horizontal

Next Time: Pyrotechnics (Part 4)

Source: German Explosive Ordnance Vol. 1: Bombs, Rockets, Grenades, Mines, Fuzes & Igniters

German Explosive Ordnance - Pyrotechnics (Part 2)

German Explosives

Mark C 50 FA Parachute Flare

Overall Length: 42 inches

Body Diameter: 7.85 inches


Colours and Markings: Body is black overall.  Stenciled on body in green paint: "Mark C50FA" or "Mark 50 F/A". The parachute is marked:

LETTERUNGS--N5 6
EESFELD
ANGEFEITIGT SEP. 193
B.G. TEXT 12 WERKE
K. G. S. HENKING
BERLIN--TEMPLEHOF

Construction: The flare body is an aluminum cylinder with no tail fins.  The nose is a flanged and slightly domed cap secured to the body by four shear screws.  A nose eyebolt is attached to the nose cap.  The interior of the nose cap is lined with a felt pad.  Between this pad and the fuze pocket lies the cotton parachute.  The parachute, vented at top, has a circumference of 21 feet, 4 inches and is made in 8 sections.  The parachute shrouds are arranged in two groups of four, each group being connected to a suspension cable.  The two suspension cables are attached to two brackets which are bolted to the candle unit lid.

An old flat type locking ring secures the 59A fuze in the fuze pocket.  The ejector cup is a sliding fit in the flare body but is prevented from movement by the indentations (until the ejector charge functions).

Retained in position at the base of the fuze pocket by a small grub screw is the quickmatch holder mounted in plastic material.  The bundle of quickmatch is placed centrally down this holder to connect at right angles with the quickmatch relay.

The quickmatch relay "lead-in" tube, which is for some distance of rubber and then of aluminum alloy, passes through slots in the intervening plates, and extends the length of candle unit to the ejection charge.

The candle unit measures 22 by 4 inches diameter and bears marking similar to those found on the flare body.  It is primed at the base with an ignition composition.

Placed between the candle unit ejector disc and the termination of the quickmatch relay is a further layer of ignition composition.

The ejection charge consisting of "pebble" gunpowder is contained within a felt holder.  The remaining space in the base of the flare is occupied by two packing washers, one of felt, and one of clay.

Riveted to the flare body is the domed base closing cap which is further secured by an inward turning-over of the cylindrical body to overlap the closing cap.



Operation: During the fall of the parachute flare, the aerial burst fuze functions and the flash is passed to ignite the quickmatch within the quickmatch holder.  It is relayed via the rubber tube and the aluminum alloy tube to ignite the priming composition.  This in turn initiates the gunpowder ejection charge.

The gases formed by the burning of the gunpowder force the ejector disk and with it the candle unit ejector cup, and parachute toward the nose cap.  The pressure of the parachute against the interior of the nose cap shears the four screws permitting the parachute and candle unit to be ejected from the flare body.

Simultaneously, the flash from the burning gunpowder has ignited the priming composition at the bottom of the flare to ignite the flare composition.

No information has been received regarding the burning time of the candle unit.









Mark 50 Kask Target Indicating Flare

Overall Length: 41 inches

Body Diameter: 7.7 inches
Tail Length: 15 inches
Tail Width: 10.3 inches

Filling: Illuminating composition, black powder expellant charge; smokeless powder ignition disks.



Construction: The body is a cylinder of sheet metal with a constant external diameter.  A truncated cone of concrete is firmly fixed to the nose by a 0.75-inch bolt.

The fuze pocket contains a drilled hole to allow passage of flame to the rear of the container.  Immediately to the read of the fuze pocket is the charge containing plate, so positioned that the hole in it is directly over the flame port int he fuze pocket.  A bag of black powder lies in the charge containing plate.

To the rear of the charge and resting on the charge retaining plate is the pressure plate.  This pressure plate has a central flash hole through it and also has an extension welded to a cutaway semicircle on its circumference to allow for movement of the plate without hindrance from the internal portion of the suspension eyebolt.

Resting on the pressure plate is the first of three ignition partitions.  Each partition consists of two perforated cardboard plates, between which are pressed discs of smoking powder.

A bundle of 20 target indicating flares rests on the ignition partitions.  Each flare is approximately 6 inches long and 1 and 1/2 inches in diameter.  The outer covering of each flare is waxed cardboard and there is a smear of quick-fire composition at one end.  The flares are places so that the end on which the quick-fire composition is located is toward the fuze pocket.

Above the layer of 20 flares there is another ignition partition, then a bundle of 21 flares, followed by still another ignition partition and 21 flares, making a total of 62 individual flares contained in the body.

To the rear of the last bundle of flares are two pads of felt and one cardboard pad.  The top plate retains all the contents in the container and is fixed to the body by means of four light aluminum shear rivets.  The tail consists of four stabilizing fins welded at 90 degree intervals around the body.



Suspension: A single standard German eyebolt screwed to the side of the body supports the "Mk 50 Kask" in the plane.


Remarks: As the missile falls to Earth after release, it maintains a nose down position in flight due to the weight of the concrete nose piece. The fuze functions while falling.  The expellant charge is ignited, blows the pressure plate to the rear, shearing the retaining rivets, and top plate falls free, ejecting the individual flares.  At the same time that the ejection is occurring, the flash from the propellant charge is transmitted to the ignition partitions which ignite the target flares.

Once ignited, the flares burn with a white flame for 1 second and then with a red flame.





Parachute Flare, Single Candle Flare (Pull Friction Igniters)

Overall Length: 42 inches

Body Diameter: 7.8 inches
Filling: Flare composition

Color: The casing is painted black over aluminum.  Three panels on the outside surface are left unpainted and the following typical markings are stenciled in on black:

Nur fur etc 50 V III
DEPYFAG--M
39. Lief 6.


Construction: This flare is similar in size and general construction to the Mark C 50 F/A flare.  The principal difference is that the candle is reversed and ignited by pull friction igniters instead of a black powder charge which ejects it from the main casing.

The friction igniters are similar in design to ZDSCHN and 29 pull igniter with the addition of a pyrotechnic delay of 3 and 1/2 seconds screwed into the base.  Around the end of the pyrotechnic tube of both igniters a length of quickmatch is secured by this cord.  Immediately below this quickmatch a thin cardboard disc holding a black powder primer closes the base of the flare candle.  Thin cords connect the igniters to the eye for the parachute shackles; each of these cords is knotted around the weakened centers of the wooden detents before passing through slots in the metal disc.  The detents act as a safety device by fouling the metal disc should the cords be pulled while the candle is still in place.


Operation: A pre-set time after release from the aircraft, the (59) B fuze operates and via the quickmatch train fires the ejection charge.  Rivets retaining the nose closing cap are sheared and the parachute and candle ejected.  The pull of the parachute is first taken by the friction igniter cords and the candle is ignited after 3 and 1/2 seconds, by which time it is suspended normally from the parachute.  The candle burns for 5 minutes.


Suspension: Vertical or Horizontal








Single Candle Unit, Parachute Flare (White)

Overall Length: 13.25 inches

Body Length: 13.25 inches

Body Diameter: 2.4 inches
Wall thickness: 0.05 inches

Filling: Flare composition

Color and Markings: Unpainted aluminum.  Longitudinally near suspension lug marked:

FERTIGUNFIRMA dbc
LIEFERUNGSNUMMER 46/42


Construction: The body is an aluminum cylinder closed at both ends.  The nose closing cup is approximately 2 inches long by 2.25 inches in diameter and is crimped in position by four indentations.  It is open at the nose end and perforated at the base where it is sealed by a sheet of tin foil.   Centrally in the base of this cup is secured an internally threaded bush to accommodate the (31) igniter.  The 3/4-inch deep tail closing cup is secured by means of 8 rivets and carries a suspension eyebolt centrally.  The parachute, attached to this eyebolt by means of a wire cable 36 inches long, is 4 feet in diameter with a 3.75-inch air vent in the center.  Eight shroud lines from the parachute terminate in a loop which is in turn attached to the (31) igniter.

The candle unit consists of a cylindrical pressed cardboard case approximately 10.75 inches long and 2.3 inches in external diameter.  This case, 0.1 inches thick, contains the flare composition at the head of which is a cardboard washer with a priming of black powder.


Operation: On release of the container from the aircraft, the aerial burst fuze Zt Z (89) B operates to open the container and to scatter the 41 flares.  The parachute on each individual flare opens, thereby exerting a pull on the (31) igniter firing cable.  The slotted striker cylinder is pulled back, compressing the striker spring, until the four steel balls are ejected into the recessed end of the fuze body and the hollow steel ball-shaped clip is pulled free.  This releases the spring-loaded striker which is impelled onto the detonator.  The flash from the primer cap ignites the black powder primer which in turn ignites the flare composition.



Suspension: 41 of these single candle flares are contained in the Mark 250-BK container.



Remarks: This flare is believed to be similar in size and construction to the red single candle flare carried in the Mark 250-BK container.







Parachute Flare, Single Candle Flare, I White and II Red

White

Overall Length: 19 inches

Body Diameter: 3 and 3/8 inches

Red

Overall Length: 13.3 inches

Body Diameter: 3.4 inches


Filling: Flare composition


Construction: The body of the white flare is of aluminum with a sheet steel cap at the top secured by adhesive tape.  The flare is fitted with two pull igniters, one in the side of the case and one in the top of the flare candle.  There are two black powder charges in each flare, one to blow out the parachute, housed in the top of the case, and the other o ignite the candle.  When the airburst fuze causes the container to open in mid-air, each flare falls away and in so doing operates the side pull igniter which fires a black powder charge blowing out the parachute.  As the parachute opens, the pull igniter at the top of the candle operates.  This fires a short length of safety fuze which burns for about 16 seconds, before initiating the second black powder charge which ignites the candle.  This flare burns with a white light.

A flare has been recovered which is similar in construction except that the case has been cut 1/4 inch above the metal ring washer and turned over the washer to secure it in position.  The overall length is thereby reduced and only one igniter remains.  On release from the container, the parachute opens and operates the friction igniter.  The flash ignites the safety fuze and after a predetermined delay the igniter and ejection charges force off the nose cap and eject the candle which simultaneously is ignited by the priming layer composition.  There is no ballast in the nose of this flare.  It burns for approximately 6 minutes with a red light.



Suspension: Ten of the white flares are fitted into the ABB 500 M10 container or nine flares plus six SD2 bombs are fitted into the Mark 500 Body 6 SD2 container.  The red flare was found in close proximity to a 250 BK container.  Each flare is attached to the container by a short length of wire cable, secured at one end to a bracket in the container and at the other to the pull igniter in the side of the flare.

Next Time: Pyrotechnics (Part 3)

Source: German Explosive Ordnance Vol. 1: Bombs, Rockets, Grenades, Mines, Fuzes & Igniters

German Explosive Ordnance - Pyrotechnics (Part 1)

German Explosives

Pyrotechnics




Introduction


This series will describe German aircraft pyrotechnics.  It includes flares, photographic flash bombs, markers, smoke generators, etc.

Basically, German flares consist of a cylindrical container housing an illuminating element, which upon being ignited by a pull friction igniter or time fuze, burns vigorously producing great illumination and intense heat.  The flare may or may not have a parachute, depending upon the use for which it is intended.  The illuminating element consists either of a single or a multiple candle unit which varies in intensity of illumination and color, according to its purpose.  Methods of carrying flares vary with the individual sizes.  Large flares may be suspended horizontally while small flares may be carried in containers.

German photographic flash bombs are similar in external appearance to conventional 50-kg bombs and parachute flare cases.  Their fillings may be either flare composition or incendiary mixture, ignited by electrical or mechanical aerial burst fuzes.

Markers used by the Germans consist principally of cylindrical cardboard containers, filled with a colored flare composition which is ignited by an impact type fuze.  A few individual markers do not follow this pattern of construction.  Some are merely containers of brightly colored powder, which are dumped into the sea from low altitudes to mark positions.  Others are modified parachute flares of various colors.

Fundamentally, German smoke generators are smoke pots modified for dropping from aircraft.  Each consists of a cylindrical aluminum case, containing a smoke producing composition which is ignited by a pull friction igniter.  A parachute is used in some cases to retard the fall of the generator.  Large smoke generators may be suspended from racks while small ones, known as smoke pots, are carried in containers.

LC 10  Single Candle Parachute Flare

Overall Length:15 inches

Body Diameter: 3 and 5/8 inches


Construction: The LC 10 single candle parachute flare consists mainly of an aluminum cylinder, the flare candle contained in a cardboard liner, an 89 clockwork fuze and a parachute.  The fuze is located in a steel sleeve at the nose end of the flare body.  This sleeve is attached to the body by three screws.  An aluminum cap fits over the steel sleeve leaving the fuze exposed.

The parachute is located in the tail end of the flare body.  The opening at the tail is closed by a steel cup.  The suspension eye bolt is secured to the end of the cup.


Operation: The 89 fuze begins to function when the flare is dropped.  At a predetermined time the fuze fires and ejects the candle and its parachute from the body.  The candle is ignited by the same action.



Suspension: ABB 500 incendiary containers.








Parachute Flare FB 50 (Single Candle) and LC 50 F Ausf. C (Four Candle)

Overall Length: 42.5 inches

Body Length: 42.5 inches

Body Diameter: 8 inches
Wall Thickness: 3/32 inches
Filling: Flare Composition
Total Weight: 76 pounds

Color and Markings: The body, tail fins, and domed cap may be unpainted aluminum or painted black all over.  Manufacturer's markings may be stenciled on the case near the domed cap.


Construction: The body consists of a case made of seamless aluminum tubing, a pan-shaped plate over which the tube is crimped and secured by 24 aluminum rivets, and a dome-shaped cover secured to the tube by six brass shear screws.  A concave steel plate stiffens the nose for vertical suspension.  A felt disc supports the parachute which is stowed behind a paper sleeve.  The fuze pocket is of steel and contains the fuze and wooden quickmatch holder.  Eight semicircular fibre pads and one disc are wedged around the fuze pocket. 

Four strands of quickmatch pass from the holder via a rubber tube and an aluminum tube to a black powder charge in the tail-end.  Immediately behind the ejector cup are two fibre discs, shaped to allow passage of the rubber quickmatch tube, the parachute suspension wires and to accommodate the side suspension block.  The four candles are held together by a steel plate in the form of a cross bolted on to them.  There are four eyebolts screwed to each arm of the cross to take the parachute wires.  A 3/16-inch steel wire welded around the cross ensures easy passage of the candles on ejection from the casing.  Each candle is provided with a match igniter at its base.

On release, the pyrotechnic delay in the fuze is ignited.  This fires the quickmatch which in turn ignites the black powder charge in the tail.  The charge ejects the candles by shearing the brass screws, the candles simultaneously being ignited through perforations in the ejector plate.

There are no tail fins on the case of the single candle flare but the four candle flare has four fins riveted to the case, two of which are 16 inches long and two 3 inches long, all being 2 inches wide.

These are located at the far end of the case from the parachute.  The parachute is of celanese, 13 feet in diameter.  It is attached to the candles by 12 silk shroud lines 10 feet long and woven steel wire.



Suspension: Vertical or horizontal


Remarks: The flare composition is:
-16.5% Aluminum
-75.8% Barium Nitrate
-7.7% Sulphur
-0.2% Volatile Matter

Both flares burn slightly longer than 5 minutes.

Candlepower:
-Single candle: 216,000
-Four candles: 600,000





LC 50 F Ausf. E Parachute Flare

Overall Length: 42 and 1/8 inches

Body Length: 42 and 1/8 inches

Body Diameter: 7 and 11/16 inches
Filling: Flare composition

Flare Candle
Overall Length: 20 and 3/8 inches
Diameter: 4.8 inches
Weight: 23.14 pounds

Stabilizing Fins: 2 and 3/4 inches (x2); and 16 inches (x2)

Color: Exterior painted black with one marking "Ausf.E" stenciled in on a silver patch just forward of the fuze pocket.  The markings on the parachute are: Gerat LC 50 F Ausf.C.



Construction: The container of the parachute flare is a drawn steel cylinder 1 mm thick compressed circumferentially to form two internal flanges.  The forward end is enclosed by a dome cover and the after end by a plate.  A cardboard disc separates the fuze pocket from the 12 pounds of clay ballast in the nose.  The cardboard disk is retained by a ring which has an L-section and is spot welded to the inside of the container.  The domed cover which fits inside the container is located near the forward flange.  It is secured by the rim at the forward end of the container.  The fitting in the cover is threaded to take a suspension lug.

The wooden block beneath one fuze has a central hole and a side channel through which the flash from the fuze ignites the powder train in the rubber tube.  This in turn ignites the black powder charge in the diaphragm.  The diaphragm is positioned by the after internal flange and the plaster of paris cylinder.  The single flare candle is within this cylinder and sealed by the washer.  The parachute shrouds are wound around the top of the candle and a cardboard ejector disc is placed below the folded parachute.  A tight fitting felt pad is inserted above the parachute and is held in place by the end plate.  This latter is secured by six soft metal screws which are easily sheared.  Of the four stabilizing fins on the tail of the container, one pair is 2 and 3/4 inches long while the other is 16 inches long. 

The candle is an aluminum tube closed at one end, with a paper liner containing the compressed flare composition.  A light aluminum container inserted in the concave end of the candle contains the black powder igniter.  At the other end of the candle a heat insulating layer, consisting of cast plaster, is provided to protect the shrouds of the parachute.  The latter are arranged in two groups connected by two 4-foot lengths of S.W.R. to the closing plate, which is riveted to the container.

The parachute, 4 feet in diameter, is made out of 12 sections of artificial silk and vented at the center.



Suspension: Horizontal








LC 50 F Ausf. G Parachute Flare

Overall Length: 43 inches

Body Diameter: 7.87 inches
Tail Width: 11 inches
Filling: Flare composition
Total Weight: 32 kilograms (approx.)

Color: Body and tail are dull black.  "LC 50 F Ausf. G" is stenciled in 40 mm white letters on two sides of body 35 mm behind the suspension lug.



Construction: The body of the LC 50 F Ausf.G parachute flare is constructed of sheet aluminum,  The base is closed off by a flat plate and secured to the cylinder by 12 rivets.  A parachute closing cap forms the forward end of the container.

The parachute is found in the forward part of the container between the parachute closing cap and the fuze pocket.  The suspension lug is located a few inches aft of the fuze pocket.  The suspension lug brace contains the black powder puff and also connects the flash channel from the fuze pocket to the central igniter train.  The remaining part of the container aft of the suspension lug is filled with flare composition.


Operation: After release, the airburst fuze functions to explode 3 grams of black powder in bakelite gaines which in turn lights pyrotechnic delay to explode a powder puff.  Pressure exerted by the resultant gases forces the parachute against the parachute closing cap to shear the retaining rivets, and so permit the ejection of the parachute into the air stream.  Simultaneously the flash from the powder puff ignites the igniter train leading centrally through the flare candle to the five igniter stars which in turn ignite and ensure a substantially even ignition of the flare composition.  It appears that the gases produced by the ignition of the igniter stars exert sufficient pressure to shear the rivets retaining the flare composition closing disc.



Suspension: Vertical or horizontal



Remarks: Information on this flare is based upon translation of a German document.

Next Time: Pyrotechnics (Part 2)

Source: German Explosive Ordnance Vol. 1: Bombs, Rockets, Grenades, Mines, Fuzes & Igniters