German Explosive Ordnance - Containers (Part 1)

German Explosives

Introduction

German containers can be subdivided into (1) those designed to scatter their contents before impact and (2) those intended to carry their contents safely to earth.  The latter are few in number and simple in principle.  They are a means of getting limited quantities of supplies to a specific location.  In general, they consist of a compartment to house the supplies and a parachute to bring it safely to Earth.  No explosive opening devices are incorporated.

Containers designed to scatter their contents from a height can be subdivided upon either of two bases:

a. Droppable containers and containers retained in the aircraft; or,

b. By content, as bombs, flares, or a combination load of both bombs and flares.

Non-droppable containers may be jettisoned by are primarily intended to be used repeatedly.  They are constructed to carry and scatter a great number of small incendiary bombs, the release mechanism being such that desired spacing of the bombs is possible.

Droppable containers are fitted with fuzing and opening devices designed to release the contained missiles after a predetermined time of fall from the aircraft.  Some of these containers are merely clustering devices, some are bomb shaped and hinge at the after end, others release missiles through large ports.

The contents of bomb containers are chiefly small anti-personnel or incendiary bombs and flares, the 1-, 1.3-, and 2-kg electron incendiary bombs, SD1, SD2, and SD10 A/P bombs being the ones most frequently used.  A common practice is to include a small number of SD2 bombs in a container of flares.

BDC 10, Cluser Container

Body Diameter: 10 inches

Filling: 5 - SC10; 5 - SD10A bombs

Construction: The bombs are held together by a band of metal 5 and 1/2 inches wide, and by a double "spider" which hooks through their suspension lugs, the outer spider being connected to the safety pins by small chains.  The top half of the band is attached to a beam carrying the suspension lug and a charging head similar to a Rheinmetall fuze head.  A lead from one plunger in this head goes to a socket, and into this socket fits a plug from the release device.  The lower half of the band is attached to the upper by wire hinges held together by two safety pins, one on each side.  These pins are attached to the outer arming spider by small chains.  The lower half of the band is split and held together by two "bottle screws" forming a means of tightening the band around the bombs during assembly.


Operation: On release from the aircraft, an electric cap in the arming spider is fired; this, after a short delay, ignites a small charge which blows off the from spider, thus pulling out the safety pins of the individual bombs and also the safety pins which hold the band together.  The bombs then separate and arm as they fall.  This carrier gives a much closer "pattern" on the ground than could be obtained by dropping the bombs in a stick.





AB 23 SD2 Container

Overall Length: 43.5 inches

Body Diameter: 8 inches
Tail Width: 11 inches
Total Weight: 101 pounds (estimate)

Filling: 23 SD2 bombs; strips of metal coated paper.


Color: The body is painted dark green and has two red bands running longitudinally the length of the tail fins.  Between the tail fins and suspension lugs are stenciled in white the following letters:

(79) B
o.V. fur 1000 bis 1900 M
m.V. fur 1900 bis 2500 M
2 cmal 42

In large black letters: AB23SD2

Between the fuze pocket and nose, in white:

79A Fur

m.V. fur 1000 bis 1900 M

Settings for fuzes are also stenciled on bomb.

Construction: The container holds 6 bombs in the forward compartment and 17 in the after compartment.  Compartments are created by sheet metal discs held in place by steel rods.  The case is divided into two halves longitudinally.  When the bombs are placed in the container, these two halves are held together by a shear wire which passes through a steel anvil, in the lower part of the fuze pocket.  When the aerial burst fuze operates, this wire is sheared by the explosion of the small exploder under the fuze.  The case opens and allows the bombs to fall out.  The fuze pocket is surrounded by a row of rivets which hold the steel washer in place to support the pocket.

By removing the two bulkheads on either side of the fuze pocket, these containers can be employed to drop strips of metal coated paper for disrupting radar operations.


Suspension: Horizontal by means of an eyebolt.







AB 24T SD2 Container

Color and Markings: Light grey or sky blue.  Stenciled on body in red:

"Vorn"; "Norfuraussen Aufhangungen"

In black: "AB 24T SD 2"



Construction: The AB 24T container has seven main parts: the safety pin, the spring-loaded locking pin, the cotter pin securing the spring-loaded locking pin, the locking arms, the retaining cotter pins, the suspension lug (secured to the locking pin) and the double "barreled" container.  Each "barrel" contains 12 SD2 bombs.  This container is very similar to the AB 70-3 container except for the release mechanism.

After the container has been loaded on the plane, the safety pin is removed.  On release, the spring-loaded locking pin, locking arms, and suspension lug assembly move downward.  This movement in conjunction with the force exerted by the 24 sets of SD2 wings causes the two outboard sides of the double "barreled" container to fly open, thereby releasing the SD2 bombs.


Suspension: Horizontal.


Remarks: The container is not suitable for release above 300 feet.  At this height bomb cover an area of 60 to 100 feet wide, and 100 to 200 feet long with greatest concentration in the center.

A German document states container cannot be jettisoned safely but aircraft are permitted to land with container.




AB 36 Container

Overall Length: 42 inches
Body Diameter: 8 inches
Filling: 36 1-kg 1B's or 24 2-kg 1B's


Color: Dark green overall


Construction: The AB 36 container is of sheet steel construction.  It is divided along its longitudinal axis into two halves which are welded to a hinged bottom plate.  The opening device is usually an electrically fired cartridge with a powder train delay; however, a clockwork release mechanism may be used.

The container is release.  After a short delay, the opening device functions.  The two halves of the container hinge outward and the bombs fall free.


Suspension: Horizontal




BSK 36 Container

BSK 36
Overall Length: 43 inches
Body Diameter: 8 inches
Filling: 16 2-kg 1B's



Color: Grey or aluminum overall


Construction: The BSK 36 is a rectangular aluminum container with a 43-inch vertical rod running up through the center.  The road carries three trays with felt pads on which the incendiary bombs are stacked vertically around the rod.  When released, the rod and the bombs fall away; the rectangular container stays with the plane.


Suspension: Vertical.  The rod carries a lug at its top end which is engaged with the bomb rack of the carry aircraft.




Three-Sided Container

Overall Length: 42 inches
Body Diameter: 8.5 inches
Filling: 36 1-kg 1B's


Color: Grey or black overall.  The clockwork release mechanism has inscribed on it:
"Achtung!" (note)
"Versogerungswerk Auf Ziechen" (Wind up retarding mechanism)


Construction: The three-sided container is of sheet steel construction.  It consists of three side pieces and a separate piece which together form a cylinder.  A clockwork release mechanism is used to dump the load by separating the cylinder parts.


Suspension: Vertical or horizontal.




AB 42 Container

Overall Length: 28 and 1/2 inches
Width: 7 and 3/4 inches
Height: 9 inches
Filling: 42 1-kg incendiaries


Color: Black or grey overall.  "AB 42" is stenciled in red on the end.


Construction: The container is constructed of wood with small metal fittings.  Three double compartments 13 and 3/4 inches long are formed by four wooden partitions 7/16 inches thick.  Compartments are rectangular in shape with corners cut off.  The top and bottom spars are made up of five thin pieces of wood glued and nailed together.  They are of flat cross sections and their inner sides are shaped to form a seating for two rows of 1-kg incendiary bombs.  The three center spars are of circular cross section 1 inch in diameter.  They pass through holes in the inner partitions and are glued into recesses cut in the end partitions.  Each compartment contains 14 1-kg incendiary bombs held in a cluster against the round wooden spars by a steel securing band which passes through slots in the top and bottom spars.  The top spar carries a suspension lug block, the charging head and the fuze holder.  Two insulated wires passing through a channel cut in the top spar connect the fuze with the charging head.

From the side of the fuze holder a short metal tab projects through a slot in the side of the metal cover plate.  A bowden cable, passing through three aluminum channel guides, is connected to the tab at one end and a weak anchorage on the remote end of the container at the other.  The cable has three small steel blocks, each located by two small bolts.  Each bomb securing band is fastened by a release catch on one end of the band, which passes through a slot in the other end, and which has a small hole drilled in it.  Securing pins passing through these holes lock the bands.  These pins are carried by three small plates, which are threaded on the bowden cable.  Adjusting screws are provided for the band assembly.

On release from the aircraft,t he fuze is charged.  After a set delay, the fuze fires, forcing off  the part of the fuze holder to which the metal tab is attached.  The bowden wire is torn away from its anchorage at the remote end and the three blocks bearing against the flanges of the plates effect the withdrawal of the securing pins.  The securing bands are then free to open and release the bombs.


Suspension: Horizontal

Next Time: Containers (Part 2)

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