German Explosive Ordnance - Incendiary, Smoke, and Practice Bombs (Part 3)

German Explosives

NC 50 Smoke Bomb

Overall Length: 26.75 inches

Body Length: 10.75 inches

Body Diameter: 7.75 inches
Wall Thickness: 0.16 to 0.24 inches
Tall Length: 16 inches
Tail Width: 11 inches

Filling: Light grey smoke-producing powder, smelling strongly of camphor.

Total Weight: 109 pounds



Construction: The body is a normal 50-kg bomb seamless steel tube with a cast steel nose welded to it.  The circular hole in the wall of the bomb which normally gives access to the fuze pocket is covered over by a steel disk welded flush with the bomb wall.  The base plug is secured to the bomb body by eight screws and is pierced by hole by four brackets welded to the fuze and the base plug.  Beneath the plug and covering the filling is a thin metal plate also pierced by five holes; 4.5 inches from the tip; from there, four one-inch white bands run back to the shoulder.

"N.C.50" is stenciled on the body and is believed to be an abbreviation for "Nebel Cylindrisch 50kg" (Smoke Cylinder 50kg)

NC 50 WC NC D/SEE - Smoke Marker Bomb

Overall Length: 3 feet 7 inches

Body Diameter: 7.75 inches
Tail Width: 11 inches

Filling: Smoke producing composition


Color: Bomb casing is painted aluminum; the tail is olive green; the protruding portion of the central cylinder is yellow.  "NC 50 WC" is stenciled transversely across the body just forward of the shoulder. "Nich fur Senkrecht-Aufhangun" stenciled longitudinally from nose after to the other marking.


Construction: The bomb consists of four main parts: the outer casing, tail cone, nose and a central cylinder which protrudes from the nose and extends after to the forward part of the tail cone where it is terminated by a fuze housing crimped to it.  This fuze housing extends the full length of the tail cone.  The outer casing is empty except for metal ribs and braces which locate and support the central tube.  The four tail fins are tack welded to this cone.

The central cylinder contains the smoke producing agent.  It is held in the outer casing by six bolts at the nose; a rubber washer waterproofs this joint.  The igniter is contained in a pocket at the rear end of the central tube immediately below the fuze.  The fuze housing is located by four set screws to insure that the correct distance is maintained between the flash cap and the igniter.

The fuze has a spring loaded strike held away from the flash cap by retaining ball.  They are held in place by a release rod passing down through the center of the striker.  At the tail end, this rod passes through a circular plate and is held by a split pin.  The circular plate is fastened by three screws to a drogue plate which is lipped over the tail fins.  It is fastened to the tail by four projections from the fins which pass through the slots and are then bent over.  Waterproofing at the tail is provided by a rubber seal.  On impact with the water, the tail drogue is wrenched off and carries the fuze release rod with it.  The fuze fires and the smoke producing agent is ignited.  When the bomb floats to the surface, heat destroys the rubber seal and smoke is emitted.



Suspension: Vertical or horizontal



Similar Bombs:
-NC D/See: This bomb, a floating 50kg smoke bomb, is constructed similarly to the NC 50 WC.  It gives off a white fog or smoke.  The overall weight is approximately 22kg.  It is fitted with the AZ (46) fuze.  As the fuze is installed when the bomb is shipped, the safety precautions must be highly respected.








NC 250 S Smoke Bomb

Overall Length: 5 feet 3 inches

Body Diameter: 14 and 1/2 inches

Wall Thickness: 1/16 inches
Tall Length: 25 inches
Tail Width: 20 inches

Filling: Mixture of chlorosulphonic acid (40%) and sulphur trioxide (60%)


Color: The body is silver, the tail olive drab.  The forward part of the nose, a 3/4-inch stripe part-way back on the nose, and a 1-inch stripe just aft of the suspension lug are painted white.  "NC 250 S" is stenciled aft of the second band.


Construction: The NC 250 S is similar in size and construction to the German C 250 (Flam) bomb.  The central tube contains a wooden block 20 and 1/2 inches long and 4 and 1/4 inches in diameter, cardboard disks, and a circular block of TNT 9 inches long and 4 and 1/4 inches in diameter.  The bomb is fuzed with a ElAZ (26) which has a normal gaine and one picric acid pellet.  The fuze operates directly on impact detonating the burster charge of TNT in the central tube.  The main filling is scattered to give a large concentration of smoke.



Suspension: Horizontal.



Remarks: The filling is a corrosive mixture which, when in contact with the air, emits white smoke.






SD 1 Type Practice Bomb

Color: The specimen examined was unpainted and devoid of markings.



Construction: The bomb resembles the SD 1 H.E. bomb and is of approximately the same weight and size.  The body is constructed of concrete reinforced with irregularly shaped metal chippings.  A normal eight-vane type of tail unit is secured to the body by a bolt embedded int he concrete cast.

In the nose of the bomb, a length of concrete-filled metal tubing is inserted to the resemble the AZ (73) A fuze.  Lengths of iron wire soldered to the tail securing bolt and tot he metal tubing in the nose of the bomb serve to strengthen the cast concrete.







SD 2 Practice Bomb

Color: The body, metal band and drogue of the specimen examined are painted black, and are devoid of markings.



Construction: The bomb consists of a normal unfilled SD 2 bomb case and is secured by a nut and bolt.  Welded vertically to the upper surface of this band is a length of steel tubing.

Secured to the steel tubing is a short length of steel cable which is attached to the normal drogue retainer.  The drogue is formed of a curved sheet steel pressing.

Next Time: Incendiary, Smoke, and Practice Bombs (Part 4)

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