German Explosive Ordnance - Containers (Part 4)

German Explosives

BSB 360 Incendiary Bomb Container

No picture available

Overall Length: 7 feet 9 inches

Body Length: 1 foot 8 inches

Wall Thickness: 0.06 inches

Filling: 320 1 kg 1B's

Total Weight: 435 kilograms

Colour and Markings: Black overall

Construction: The BSB 360 is a sheet steel cylinder with a blunt nose and tapered tail section.  The cylinder is divided into four compartments, each containing eight bombs.  The two doors of the container are opening manually by a cable, each door opening two compartments and releasing bombs in groups of 180.  This container generally remains in the aircraft after dropping the load.


Suspension: Horizontal. Container retained in plane.






BSB 700 Incendiary Bomb Container

No picture available

BSB 700

Overall Length: 10 feet 3 inches

Body Length: 2 feet 2 inches

Wall Thickness: 0.06 inches

Filling: 702 1 kg 1B's

Total Weight: 900 kilograms

Colour and Markings: Black overall.

Stenciled on body:

Betadezant 700-5

Leengewicht 205 kg

Gesamtgewicht 900 kg

Construction: The BSB 700 is a sheet steel cylinder with a blunt nose and conical tail section.  The cylinder has six compartments, each containing 117 bombs.  The contents of each compartment are released by means of trap doors operated from an axial spindle, the release mechanism being controlled electrically through a solenoid.  Bombs are released in batches of 69 and 48 from each compartment.  Each compartment has an expendable outer door and inner rotating door (rotated by action of the solenoid).  This container remains in the aircraft after dropping the load.

Suspension: Horizontal. Container retained in plane.






BSB 1000 Incendiary Bomb Container

Overall Length: 8 feet 11 inches

Body Length: 2 feet 2 inches

Wall Thickness: 0.09 inches

Filling: 570 1 kg 1B's

Colour and Markings: Light khaki or grey overall.  "Leerewicht 210 kg" is stenciled on the body.

Construction: The BSB 1000 has a sheet steel cylindrical body.  The blunt nose and conical tail sections are attached by bolts and rivets.  The nose and tail sections are recessed to take a transport loading bar.  The main body is internally divided along its longitudinal axis by a hollow central bulkhead which houses the release rods.  Each half of the main body is further divided into 5 compartments by bulkheads, thus making 10 compartments.  Ten spring loaded compartment doors are hinged to the underside of the container.  These doors are held by hook releases which are connected by the release rod to the electrical release units fitted with manually operated release switches for use in loading.  No fuze is fitted and it is assumed that the electrical lead passes into the junction box and selection mechanism housed in the tail, the latter functions to space the 570 bombs as desired.

In operation, the electrical charge passes through the junction box and causes the selector mechanism to function.  Current is passed to release units, and these open the release hooks through the medium of the release rod.  The weight of the bomb forces doors open and bombs fall, the spring loaded doors then closing the preserve streamlined containers.  This container also remains in the aircraft after dropping the load.


Suspension: Horizontal. Container retained in plane.






AB 500-1 Container

Overall Length: 80 inches

Body Diameter: 18 and 7/8 inches
Wall Thickness: 1/8 inches
Tail Length: 28.75 inches
Tail Width: 24 and 3/8 inches

Filling:
-37 SD 10A; or
-392 SD 1; or
-184 1-kg incendiary; or
-28 SD 10 FRZ; or
-116 2-kg incendiary.


Color: Light khaki overall

According to contents, the following stenciling is found on the body:

AB 500-1
Fur 184 B1.3EZ
Fur 116B ZEZ
89B
69E

AB 500-1
37 SD 10A
Gew 47 kg
69E
89B

DB 500-1
392 SD 1
Gew 415 kg
89B
69D

Construction: The container is divided along its longitudinal axis into two halves hinged at the tail.  The nose compartment contains the fuze assembly, the central compartment accommodates the bombs, and the tail compartment being empty, forms part of the tail structure.  A metal strip is welded to one-half the container and forms a spigot for the two halves to close on.  A pressed metal plate having a central channel runs the length of the central compartment.

The internal structure varies as to bombs carried.  When SD 10 FRZ bombs are carried, they are loosely packed.  Fifteen bombs are carried in the rear of the central compartment and thirteen forward.  They are not secured by bands.  Containers for SD 10A bombs are divided internally into two compartments.  The central compartment of the container is divided into two halves by a plywood sheet.  Eighteen bombs are accommodated in the forward half and nineteen bombs in the rear half.  Each cluster is secured by steel bands which clip into the channel on one side and are wedged in by the wood strip.  On the other side the bands are secured together by split pins which pass through loops at the ends.  Metal strips looped around the steel bands split the pins.  Wooden packing blocks are recessed to receive the bands.  In the forward compartment the cluster of bombs is divided by slats of wood and the suspension strut.

The sheet metal tail fins of each half are braced by a bar welded between them.  The charging head Ladekopf MVOV 500-1 is housed in a steel block welded to the container wall about midway down.  A four-core electric cable from the charging head to the nose is carried in a metal tube welded to the inner wall.  The cable enters the nose compartment through a hole drilled in the forward bulkhead.  The fuze pocket is located in the nose by two brackets and welded to the forward bulkhead and sides of the container.  The lower end of the pocket receives the anvil retained by the shear wire.  A tubular extension to the anvil is arranged to receive the bolt, which secures the closed container after assembly.  Welded to the side of the fuze pocket is a short length of tube which contains the Z 69E fuze; the bayonet fitting three pin plug closes this tube and connects the fuze with the charging head.  A Zt (89) B fuze is held in the fuze pocket by usual locking and locating rings and is connected to the charging head by a charging attachment.  Access to the fuze assembly is gained by a hole cut in the wall of the nose, and closed by a cap having a bayonet fitting.



Operation: On release from the aircraft, an electrical charge is transmitted via the charging head to either or both fuze.  After a predetermined delay, depending on the fuze selected, the fuze operates to detonate the bursting charge.  This overcomes the shear wire and forces the anvil from the fuze pocket.  The two halves of the container swing back on the hinge and the contents spill out.


Suspension: Horizontal.


Remarks: In containers filled with SD 1's, the 69D has been painted out and a wooden plug replaces the 69D fuze.






AB 500-3A Cluster Adapter

Overall Length: 31 and 1/4 inches

Body Diameter: 16 and 1/2 inches by 17 and 3/4 inches

Filling:

-4 SD 50 kg; or

-4 SK 70 kg; or

-50 kg and 100 kg French bombs.

Color and Markings: Khaki overall.  Stenciled in black on body: AB 500-3A.



Construction: The cluster is built around two longitudinal channel plates 1/8 inch thick.  They are pressed into splayed U-shaped channels at the top and the bottom of the assembly respectively and joined together by two steel plates which form a central longitudinal bulkhead with a double wall.  Triangular plates welded between the bulkheads and the outer ends of the upper channel act as stiffeners.

At about the middle two plates, forming the bulkhead, are then shaped to form a rectangular compartment.  It is presumed that when German bombs are carried this compartment contains a junction box and charging attachment for the Rheinmetall fuzes mounted in the bombs.  Holes are punched in each side of the compartment and are shaped to take fuze head attachments.  A hole is drilled in the top main supporting plate to enable a connecting cable to be threaded through the bulkhead.

At each end of the top channel a pair of shaped steel crutch pads are pivoted on either side of the plate.  They are to fold over the top bombs and act as pressure plates for steadying brackets in the aircraft bomb rack.

Wood packing, shaped like saddle pieces for the bombs, are clipped to the sides of the central bulkhead.  Two wide thin sheet steel carrying bands are hinged to the top channel and locked into the bottom channel by the release mechanism.  Each band is in two halves coupled by an adjustable right and left handed screw which functions as a turnbuckle.  Suspended from the nose of the top channel is a rigid structure of steel strip in the form of two inverted Y's.  This is presumed to carry a locking device for mechanically armed nose fuzes, mounted in French bombs.

The container has an electropyrotechnic fuze of the 69 series.  A Ladekopf charging head is mounted on a steel pressing, welded within the top channel towards the rear end.  An electric cable passes from this, through the central bulkhead to the 69 fuze which is mounted on the side of the release mechanism, within the bottom channel.  A second cable may be connected to a junction box within the rectangular compartment, when the container is loaded with German bombs.

A rectangular pressed steel box is secured to the end of the suspension bar, within the bottom channel, by a nut.  Steel box angles slotted to engage round the bar, and which are riveted to the loops, slide into one another and beneath the steel box.  The loops are hinged to the bottom of the carrying bands.  Steel wedges are riveted to the reverse sides of the loops to keep the assemble wedged within the channel.  Small steel triangular boxes are welded tot he bottom of the carrying bands to facilitate release.  The assembly is locked while there is upward tension on the suspension bar.

On either side of the assembly, two brackets are welded within the channel.  A third bracket supports the fuze pocket.  A steel pin, attached to the remote end of the fuze pocket is threaded through holes drilled on the bracket and locks the suspension bar and assembly in the "up" position should tension on the bar be released.  When the container is released from the aircraft, an electric current is pressed via the charging head to the 69 fuze.  After a set delay the fuze fires, forcing off the remote end of the fuze pocket, which carries the locking pin with it.  The tension on the carrying bands then forces the suspension bar down and the locking assembly is released.

When German bombs are carried, a second circuit from the charging head passes the electric current, via a junction box, in the central rectangular compartment, to the Rheinmetall fuzes in the bomb.

Next Time: Containers (Part 5)

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

German Explosive Ordnance - Containers (Part 3)

German Explosives

AB 250-2 Container

Overall Length: 63.7 inches

Body Diameter: 14.7 inches

Tail Length: 19.7 inches

Tail Width: 14.7 inches

Filling: 244 SD 1 bombs, 17 SD 10A bombs, 144 SD 2 bombs.

Total Weight: 221 kilograms

Colour and Markings: Khaki overall with two red stripes on tail cone.

Stenciled on container for SD 1 bombs:

AB 250-2

224 SD

Gew 215 kg

(79) A

(69) D

Stenciled on container for SD 10A bombs:

AB 250-2

17 SD 10A

(69) E

(89) B

Construction: The body is of mild sheet steel in two longitudinal halves hinged at the tail.  It is divided into three compartments; dome-shaped nose compartment, cylindrical central compartment, and cone-shaped tail compartment.  The nose compartment houses the fuze pocket welded to a bracket which, in turn, is welded to the upper half of the container.  The two halves of the container are presumably held together by a securing nut and a shear wire which passes through an anvil in the lower half of the fuze pocket.

The sheet steel tail of four fins, braced by two bars riveted to opposite fins, is welded to both the central cylindrical and cone-shaped tail portions of the container.   

The SD 1 bombs are housed in the central compartment.  No packing pieces have been found.  When the SD 10A bombs are carried, a three plywood or cardboard partition is inserted making two compartments.  The front compartment holds eight bombs and the rear nine.  The bombs are positioned by a wooden structure placed in the center of the compartments.  The odd bomb at the rear is stowed within this structure.  Each cluster is held by small wooden blocks bound by two steel tapes.

Suspension: Horizontal.  Welded to the lower half at the point of balance of the loaded container is a stout metal transverse suspension strip provided with a metal plate tapped to take a suspension lug.






AB 250-3 Container

Overall Length: 63.7 inches

Body Diameter: 14.7 inches
Tail Length: 19.7 inches
Tail Width: 14.7 inches
Filling: 108 SD 2 bombs
Total Weight: 250 kilograms


Color: Dark green overall with two longitudinal red stripes on the tail cone.

Stenciled on Type I:
AB 250-3     (89) B
       108 SD 2ZT;  Gew 250kg

Stenciled on Type II:
AB 250-3     (89) B
105 SD 2ZT           

Construction: The container is similar in construction to the AB 250-2.  It however, has been modified by adding an additional pair of stabilizing fins and is fitted with side trunnions for employment with dive bombers.  Type II has a dummy fuze pocket added.


Remarks: The SD 2 bombs found in one container were of the modified design, without drogue and with the arming vanes cut to a triangular shape.






AB 250 KZ Boden Container

Overall Length: 49 inches

Body Diameter: 14.5 inches

Wall Thickness: 0.075 inches

Tail Length: 19.5 inches

Tail Width: 13.5 inches

Filling: 19 Parachute Flares, 3 SD 2 bombs

Color and Markings: Khaki

Stenciled on body:
AB 250 KZ Boden
19 Mark SB2



Construction: The container body is made of sheet steel.  It is built in two pieces, hinged at the tail.  A subsidiary container for 3 SD 2-kg bombs is secured to the bottom half of the container by means of a wire cable secured to the base of the suspension strut.


Operation: On release from the aircraft, the clockwork mechanism of the fuze is initiated and after the predetermined delay period the fuze functions to initiate the bursting charge.  This shears an unusually heavy shear pin and then the container opens on the tail hinge.  The flares fall away and are ignited via friction pull igniters attached by eight cord loops to the main shroud lines.

The subsidiary SD 2 container falls away and on reaching the end of its cable receives a jerk causing the locking wire to break.  The container opens and spills the three SD 2 bombs.

The flares are the metal cylindrical type, 13.5 inches long, 3.25 inches diameter.


Suspension: Horizontal.






MK 250 LK and MK 250 BK Flare Container

Overall Length: 49 inches
Body Diameter: 14.5 inches
Wall Thickness: 0.075 inches
Tail Length: 19.5 inches
Tail Width: 19 inches

Filling:
-LK: 41 single candle parachute flares
-BK: 25 modified red flares and three SD 2 bombs


Color: Both containers are khaki overall.

Mk 250 LK is marked:

Mk 250 LK
41 Weiss
(89) BOF

Mk 250 BK is marked:

Mk 250 BK
3 SD 2

A red bar 8 inches long and 1 inch wide is stenciled immediately above the nose weld.



Construction: The Mk 250 LK is constructed in two halves, which open along the longitudinal axis and which is hinged at the tail.  The nose and tail cone is secured inside the body by spot welds.  On the lower half of the body, a strengthening rib is welded to the bottom longitudinally.  Seven locating plates are welded inside the joining edges of the two halves to insure alignment.

The fuze pocket is welded to the upper half of the container.  The lower end of the fuze pocket is increased in wall thickness.  Inserted into the lower part of the fuze pocket, and secured by a 5/32-inch steel shear pin, is the steel anvil.  Around the base of the anvil is a collar upon which the base of the fuze pocket is seated.  A steel tube, welded tot he underside of the anvil, is internally threaded to receive the container locking bolt.  A steel collar is inserted in the fuze pocket and rests on the top of the anvil, and when assembled the fuze gaine locates inside this collar.

The container is held closed by the locking bolt.  Locking bolt is held in the tube which is welded to the anvil.  The anvil is held by the shear pin.  When the container is dropped, the fuze initiates the burster charge.  The explosion forces the anvil down.  The shear wire is broken.  The locking bolt is then forced out and the container opens.

Four tail fins are spot welded to the cone, the two on the upper half being slotted to facilitate loading on the bomb rack.  An ordinary strengthening strut is riveted between the pairs of fins on each half of the tail cone.

The Mk 250 BK differs from the Mk 250 LK in that no cutaway portion exists in the upper tail fins and that it contains a subsidiary container for three SD 2-kg H.E. bombs similar but of approximately half the length of that described under the Mk 500 Boden 6SD.  This container is secured to the bottom half of the larger container by means of a double wire cable secured around the base of the suspension strut.  Large container operates the same as the Mk 250 LK.  The SD 2 container falls until it reaches the end of its cable.  The resultant jerk causes the locking wire to break and it then opens.



Suspension: Horizontal.  The suspension lug threads into a suspension block welded to a suspension strut which itself is welded to the bottom of the lower half of the container.  A rectangular plate is welded over the top suspension block and bears on the underside of the upper half when the container is closed.

Next Time: Containers (Part 4)

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

German Explosive Ordnance - Containers (Part 2)

German Explosives

AB 70-1 OR Mark 70 S Container

Overall Length: 43 and 1/2 inches

Body Diameter: 8 inches

Wall Thickness: 1/16 inches

Tail Length: 16 inches

Tail Width: 11 inches

Filling: 3 Mark S Flares

Colour and Markings: Light Khaki overall.  Dull red stripes between tail fins.

Stenciled on container:  Either Mark 70 S or

"Rot" or "Weiss" (Red or White)

When container is stenciled "Brenndaner 0-5" flares are normally fitted with friction non-delay igniters.  If stenciled "Brenndaner 5-15" the flare in the front compartment functions as above but the two remaining flares are fitted with 67/V fuzes set to function after 5 and 10 minutes.

Construction: Container is identical in external construction to the AB 23 SD 2 container.   The bottom section of the container is divided by two walls, forming three compartments.  The forward compartment houses a shortened version of Mark S flare.  The center compartment provides clearance for the fuze pocket and the rear compartment houses two Type 1 Mark S flares.

When charge is passed to fuze, predetermined delay starts running out.  Fuze then fires initiating burster charge within gaine.  Explosion forces anvil from the fuze pocket, shearing the shear wire and causing the container to hinge open.  Static cords connect each flare fuze to the container.  When the flare falls away, flare fuze is thus initiated.


Suspension: Horizontal or vertical.  An internally threaded suspension bolt is welded to the nose of the bottom section and a twin bar of steel, surmounted by an internally threaded suspension eyebolt housing is welded to bottom section 2 inches in rear of the rear wall.






AB 70-3 Container

Overall Length: 39.75 inches

Body Diameter: 7.5 inches
Wall Thickness: 0.06 inches
Total Weight: 52 kilograms
Filling: 22 SD2 bombs.


Color: Light brown overall.

Stenciled in black:
(69)D AB 70-3F
22 SD 2 Stor.
Gew 52 kg

Construction: The container consists of a center beam and two casings, each of which are attached to the center beam by two hinges.  The center beam consists of two sheet steel plates, spot welded together along their longer flat axis, then forming divergent arcs that conform to the curvature of the SD 2 bombs.

A U-shaped bracket is fixed between the two steel plates of the center beam by means of rivets.  This bracket serves as an attachment for the suspension eyebolt, the fuze assembly and the bomb release unit.  A steel tube, parallel with the lateral axis of the container, is secured to the two steel plates of the center beam, within the U-shaped bracket by means of flanged surfaces at the ends of the steel tube.

The two upper arc-shaped portion of the center beam each have 11 U-slots to permit, dependent upon the methods of stowage, the protrusion of either the arming cables or safety pin lugs of the vanes of the SD 2 bombs.  Two steadying brackets are welded to the center beam.  The charging head is screwed to a small steel platform welded to the center beam.  A flanged strengthening plate is welded to the lower arc-shaped portions of the center beam.  The rectangular flanges, at the extremities of the main beam and the casings, retain the SD 2 bombs within the carrier in the longitudinal axis.  A steadying plate is spot welded to each of the casings.  There is a small slot in each of the casings opposite the U-shaped bracket to accommodate the two securing rods.

The base plate of the fuze pocket is secured to the U-shaped bracket by means of two nuts and bolts.  The fuze pocket and enclosed spring-loaded electric terminal are secured to the base by two screws.  A steel circlip around the 69D fuze provides the negative contact for the fuze.  Two red covered cables, enclosed in a yellow waterproof cover, complete the electric circuit from the charging adapter to the fuze assembly.

A strong steel sleeve, with a threaded steel cap, is a sliding fit over the fuze pocket.  The threaded steel capo is fitted with a small circular polystyrene window for visually checking that the fuze is present.  The steel release rod is attached to the steel sleeve by means of a steel clip.  This release rod passes through an aperture in the fuze pocket base and thence through the opening in the U-shaped bracket and steel tube.  When assembled, the steel sleeve is secured to the fuze pocket by wire.  Two securing rods, with "eyes" formed at either end, secure the casing to the central beam after the loading of the SD 2 bombs.  The inner eyes enter the steel tube in the central beam, in which position the end of the release rod passes through the eyes, thereby retaining the securing rods.  The outer eyes pass through the slots in the respective casings, and are secured on the outside of each casing by the steel split pins.  The container is loaded with 11 bombs between the center beam and casing on each side.

Operation: On release from the aircraft, an electric charge is imparted to the 69D fuze via the charging adapter; after a delay of 1 second, the propellant charge within the fuze is ignited.

The gas pressure generated drives forward the steel sleeve, disengaging the release rod from the inner eyes of the securing rods.  The casings are forced outwards by the weight of the bombs and the tendency for drogues to spring open.


Suspension: Horizontal.







AB 70D1 Container

Overall Length: 43.5 inches

Body Diameter: 8 inches

Wall Thickness: 0.03 inches

Tail Length: 16 inches

Tail Width: 11 inches

Filling: 50 SD 1 bombs

Total Weight: 56 kilograms

Color and Markings: Field grey or olive green overall.

Stenciled (near tail): AB 70D1
Stenciled (forward of the fuze pocket): Gewicht CA 56 kg



Construction: In the forward compartment between the forward and central bulkhead are stored a cluster of ten bombs, loosely held together by a strip metal cluster band.  The forward bulkhead is perforated by 11 holes but bomb fuzes do not protrude through these holes.

In the after compartment four clusters of bombs are stowed.  Each cluster loosely held by a strip metal cluster band.  Of these four after clusters, the fuzes of the first protrude through the 10 perforations in the after bulkhead.  While the fuzes of the remaining clusters are inserted in the hollow tails of the cluster in front.

When the aerial burst fuze operates, wire is sheared by the explosion of the small exploder under the fuze.  The case opens and the bombs fall out.


Suspension: Horizontal or vertical.


Remarks: A German document states that the AB 70D1 loaded with SD 1 bombs are not entirely safe in transport.  Aircraft are not permitted to land with AB 70D1 containers.  It is impossible to jettison AB 70D1 safely.  Minimum height of release is 150 meters.






AB 250-1 Container

Overall Length: 64 and 1/4 inches
Body Diameter: 15 and 1/8 inches
Wall Thickness: 3/32 inches
Filling: 92 SD 2 bombs


Color: Dark green overall


Construction: The container consists of a center beam to which are attached three pairs of semicircular casings.  The whole forming a cylinder bisected vertically by the center beam.

The center beam is composed of two mild steel pressings, welded together to form, in cross section, an octagonal tube extending to an upper and a lower double-sheet web which open at their extreme extremities to form V-channels.  The upper and lower channels are reinforced by pressings welded within the V-channels.

Spaced within the octagonal tube are four pairs of octagonal plates, grooved at right angles on their inner faces.  When fitted together, the grooves correspond and make four interconnected radial tubes in the form of a cross.

Holes drilled in the center beam correspond with each horizontal tube,  Extensions to the vertical tubes are formed within the upper and lower webs.  Guide plates centrally drilled are spaced within each lower vertical tube.  The holes cut in the wall of the center beam accommodate the arming cables of the SD2 bombs.  Distance pieces are fitted to the external faces of the central beam.

A release plate hinged at its forward end is fitted to the outside of each casing.  A small slot cut in the release plate corresponds with a similar slot cut in each casing.  Bomb positioning ribs are welded to the inner face of each casing.

After loading the container, the holes cut in each casing permit the withdrawal of the bomb safety clips.  The nose fairing and the tail dome are formed by welding metal pressings to the front and rear pairs of casings respectively.  The charging adapter is screwed to a small stud plate fitted within the upper channel.  The suspension lug platform, containing the suspension lug housing, is welded to metal arms riveted to the walls of the upper channel.

The lateral guides within the lower channel, form seatings for the bracket of the front, central and rear release rods.  The steel link rods are formed with "eyes" at each end.  The inner eye enters a horizontal tube, in which position the appropriate release rod passes through the eye, thereby securing the link rod.  The outer eye passes through the slots in the casing and release plate and is secured on the outside by a steel split pin.  Double compression springs are fitted in the lower vertical tube between the guide plate and the release rod bracket.  The base plate of the fuze pocket is secured within the lower channels by means of two nuts and bolts.

A fuze pocket and enclosed spring loaded electrical terminal are secured to the base plate by two screws.  A steel circlip around the fuze provides the negative contact for the circuit.  One red covered and one yellow covered cable enclosed within a red waterproof cover complete the electric circuit between the charging adapter and the fuze assembly.  A strong steel sleeve with a threaded steel cap, is a sliding fit over the fuze pocket.  The threaded steel cap is fitted with a small circular polystyrene window for visually checking the presence of the fuze.

One extension rod passes through the front lateral guide and front release rod bracket, thus retaining the front release rod.  The longitudinal bracket forms a guide for the release piston.  The release piston rod, passing through the central lateral guides, retains the central release rod.  The release piston springs are compressed between a sealing machined on the release piston rod and the central lateral guide.

The bell crank lever pivoted in the longitudinal bracket has a small metal plate laterally attached to its long arm.  The nose of the bell crank lever, passing through the longitudinal bracket, retains the release piston.  The notched plate at the tail of the bell crank lever being retained by the extension rod prevents the rotation of the bell crank lever.  A similar mechanism to the rear of the central release rod provides for the operation of the rear release rod, the exception being that the rotation of the second bell crank lever is prevented by the release piston rod.



Operation: On release from the aircraft, the fuze fires after the approximately 1-second delay propellant charge is ignited.  Pressure drives the steel sleeve downward, the steel sleeve extension, and extension rod.  The extension rod disengages from the front release rod bracket.  The front release rod under the influence of its spring moves downward and fires the link rods.  Airflow passing under the release plate causes the casings to move outward, thus firing the bombs.  This movement is assisted by the weight of bombs and the tendency of the drogues to spring open.  The first bombs then fall away.  As the extension rod moves forward, it is also disengaged from the notched plate at the tail of the bell crank lever.

The bell crank lever is now free to rotate and the release piston moves forward under the influence of its springs and bears on the nose of the bell crank lever rotating it out of the piston guide.  This releases the piston rod bracket, thereby releasing the central casing.  The rear casings are now freed in a similar manner.  The small plate on the bell crank lever appears to prevent the simultaneous release of the casings.  On release of the first pair of casings, the bell crank lever rotates until the small metal plate bears against the casing.  The bell crank lever is now unable to rotate further  until the front casings are clear of the lower channel.  This momentarily delays the release of the second pair of casings.  This serves to increase the scatter of the bombs.

Next Time: Containers (Part 3)

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