Imperial Japanese Navy Explosives - Bombs (Part 8)

Imperial Japanese Navy Explosives

Type 0 Model 1, Type 0 Model 2, and Cardboard Type Sea Markers

  

Fuzes: None
  

Type 0 Model 1

Overall Length: 12 and 1/2 inches

Length of body: 7 and 1/2 inches

Diameter of body: 3 inches

Thickness of wall: 1/64 inches

Material of wall: Sheet Steel


Cardboard type

Overall Length: 12 and 1/2 inches

Length of body: 7 and 1/2 inches

Diameter of body: 3 inches

Thickness of wall: 1/16 inches

Material of wall: Cardboard

  
 

Type of suspension: Dropped by hand

Suspension lug: None


Type 0 Model 1
Length of tail: 5 inches
Width of tail: 4 and 1/4 inches
Width of tail fins: 1 and 7/8 inches
Dimensions of tail struts: None

 Material of tail: Light tin

Cardboard type

Length of tail: 5 inches
Width of tail: 3 inches
Width of tail fins: 1 and 1/4 inches

Dimensions of tail struts: None

Material of tail: Cardboard
  

Type of filling: Aluminum powder, containing 6.5% zinc.  1 ounce covers 118 square feet.
No explosive

Type 0 Model 1

Weight of filling: 0.7 pound

Total weight of bomb: 3.5 pounds
Charge/weight ratio: 20%

Cardboard type

Weight of filling: 1 pound

Total weight of bomb: 3.5 pounds
Charge/weight ratio: 20%

 

Color and markings: Aluminum color.  Japanese inscription printer on a paper label which is glued to the body of the marker. (Instructions for operation of marker.)
 

Construction of body:
-Type 0: A sheet steel cylindrical body is fastened to the steel nosepiece by four punch marks.  The tail cone and body are joined by a thin disk of light wood secured by four tacks in each component.

-Cardboard type: A hollow-steel nosepiece is secured to a paper body by a strip of adhesive tape.  The body is reinforced by cardboard strips.  A cardboard tail cone is fastened to the body by adhesive tape.  Four cardboard fins are glued to the tail cone.

Situated in the hollow section of the steel nosepiece is a wooden cylinder 1 and 7/16 inches in diameter.  Fastened to this cylinder is a small wooden disk the same diameter as the inside of the body.  Located between this nose disk and the wooden disk in the tail is a connecting wooden pin 4 and 3/4 inches long.


Operation:
-Type 0: On impact with the water, the plug in the nose is forced up into the body, forcing the tail portion to be freed from the body, thereby scattering the aluminum powder.

-Cardboard type: On impact with water the container breaks up and releases the aluminum powder.

Remarks: Type 0 Model 2 is similar in construction to Model 1.  It is painted yellow overall and contains a filling of dark green powder which produces a green slick on the water.

  

  

Type 3 No.6 Target Marker Bomb
 

 
Fuzes: A-1 or A-3 series

Overall Length: 42 and 1/4 inches

Length of body: 21 inches

Diameter of body: 9 and 1/2 inches

Thickness of wall: 1/8 inches

Material of wall: Steel
 

Type of suspension: Horizontal

Suspension lug: Normal Navy suspension lug

Length of tail: 21 and 1/4 inches
Width of tail: 13 and 1/4 inches
Width of tail fins: 6 inches

Dimensions of tail struts:
-Length: 9 and 1/4 inches
-Width: 1 and 1/2 inches
-Thickness: 1/16 inch

Material of tail: Steel
  

Type of filling: The filling consists of 152 phosphorus-filled steel pellets contained in three cylindrical steel canisters.  Each canister is filled with pellets and the space not occupied by the pellets is filled with white phosphorus.  The canisters are covered with a heavy wax coating.  There is a charge of Type 98 explosive in the nosepiece of the bomb.
  

Weight of canisters:
-Canister One: 68 pellets - 56 pounds
-Canister Two: 56 pellets - 37.5 pounds
-Canister Three: 28 pellets - 13 pounds
  

Dimensions of canisters (Length x Diameter):
-Canister One: 7 inches by 8 and 1/4 inches
-Canister Two: 5 and 3/4 inches x 8 and 1/4 inches
-Canister Three: 3 inches x 8 and 1/4 inches

Dimensions of pellets:
-Length: 2 and 1/2 inches
-Diameter: 1 and 1/2 inches

Weight of filling: 107 pounds
Total weight of bomb: 155 pounds
Charge/weight ratio: 69%
  

Color and markings: The bomb is grey overall with a red band on the nose and red tail struts.  Four longitudinal grooves are painted red.
 

Construction of body: A cast-steel nosepiece is attached to a longitudinally welded steel body by a continuous weld.  The nosepiece contains a gaine well surrounded by an explosive charge which in turn is surrounded by a wooden filler plug.  The body has 4 external longitudinal grooves 90 degrees removed from each other.  The tail cone is welded to a collar which fits into the body and is held there by a single row of 16 screws.
 

Construction of tail: The tail cone is constructed of 1/8-inch steel and is welded longitudinally.  Four steel fins are welded to the cone and are braced by a single set of box-type struts.

  

  

 

Type 2 2kg Target Indicator

    

Fuzes: None
Overall Length: 17 inches

Length of body: 11 and 3/16 inches

Diameter of body: 3 inches

Thickness of wall: 3/16 inches

Material of wall: Bakelite
   

Type of suspension: Horizontal

Suspension lug: A steel suspension ring is attached to a steel band by a soldered tin strip.  The steel band fits tightly around the bomb body.

Length of tail: 4 and 7/8 inches

Width of tail: 5 inches
Width of tail fins: 1 and 9/16 inches
  

Dimensions of tail struts:
-Length: 3 and 1/8 inches
-Width: 7/16 inch

Material of tail: Sheet Tin
  

Type of filling: F.M. (titanium tetrachloride)

Weight of filling: 1 pound, 7 and 3/4 ounces

Total weight of bomb: 3 pounds, 14 ounces
Charge/weight ratio: 37%
  

Color and markings: Black body and tail.  No other color or markings present.
  

Construction of body: The bomb body is of molded bakelite construction with an opening in the after end only.  This opening is threaded to receive a bakelite stopper, the union being sealed by a black rubber washer.  The stopper is threaded internally to receive a bakelite tube which extends nearly the complete length of the bomb body.  The after end of the stopper is a slightly tapered tube and a rubber tube is cemented over it.

Cemented into the after end of the rubber tube is a glass tube through which the bomb is filled.  When the bomb is approximately two-thirds filled with liquid F.M. the glass tube is heated and sealed off.  A small wire is attached to the glass tube at the point of sealing.  Each of the cemented unions is reinforced with a wire wrapping.

A ballistic cap is glued to the nose of the bomb.  The cap is made of heavy paper and is filled with fine iron fillings to make the bomb nose heavy.

Construction of tail: The tail fins are made of sheet tin.  Pairs of adjacent fins are stamped from the same piece of metal and soldered to the forward end after circular struts.  The edges of the fins are strengthened by having a one-eight-inch turn-back.  The after circular strut (width: 1 inch; diameter: 1 and 7/8 inches) is similarly strengthened.

The forward circular strut (width: 9/16 inch; diameter: 1 and 1/16 inches) is of lighter gage tin and is secured to the fins by soldering except for one free end which is secured by a bolt and nut after the fins are assembled to the bomb.  To insure positive seating of the fins, a rubber insert extends half-way around the inside of the forward circular strut.  A single set of box-type struts (length: 3 and 1/8 inches; width: 7/16 inch) is located at the after extremities of the fins.

Operation: The bomb is released from the plane and the case fractures on contact with the target.  The smoke mixture is dispersed.

2kg Window Bomb

  

Fuzes: Pull igniter

Overall Length: 37 inches

Length of body: 37 inches

Diameter of body: 1 and 3/4 inches

Thickness of wall: 1/32 inches

Material of wall: Sheet Steel
 

Type of suspension: None, hand thrown

Suspension lug: None

Length: 12 inches
Width of tail: 2 and 7/8 inches
Width of tail fins: 9/16 inches

 

Dimensions of tail struts:
-Length: 2 inches
-Width: 3/8 inch
-Thickness: 1/32 inch

Material of tail: Sheet Steel

Type of filling: 250 paper strips, cylinder containing iron pyrite

Weight of filling:
-Paper strips: 10 ounces
-Iron pyrite and cylinder: 20 ounces

Total weight of bomb: 4 pounds, 7 ounces
 

Color and markings: Grey overall.  Two yellow labels.  One gives instructions for use, the other the following: "Silver paper scattering bomb, manufactured October 1944, Navy Air Force Arsenal"
  

Description:  Bomb consist of a nosepiece, body, and end cap.  Nosepiece is made of wood and has a hole in the center to accommodate the string attached to the pull igniter. End of nosepiece is sealed with a paper disk which is removed when the bomb is to be used.  Nosepiece is secured to the body by six nails.  Body is of light sheet metal construction, soldered longitudinally.  After end is closed by an end cap of similar metal and held in place by a sealing tape.

Filling of the bomb case consists of 250 metal coated paper strips and an inner cylinder which contains the delay element and ejection charge.  Inner cylinder is in the front end of the case.  It is of light sheet metal construction and soldered longitudinally.  A metal disk closes the nose end and another metal disk is soldered in place 1 and 5/8 inches from the tail end.  Space between the two disks is filled with iron pyrite to make the bomb nose heavy. 

Each disk has a 1/2-inch hole in the center through which a metal tube is inserted.  This houses a standard type pull igniter such as is used in the 5 kilogram parachute flare.  An 11 inch length of safety fuse is crimped into the after end of the igniter is led to an annular bag containing smokeless powder.

The 250 paper strips are just after of the inner cylinder.  Two L-shaped metal strips placed back to back hold 125 strips each.  Four heavy cardboard strips surround the paper strips to insure their smooth ejection.  The paper strips are covered on one side only by a metal foil.

Operation: The cotton tab on the nose is pulled, exposing the pull igniter cord.  This cord is pulled and the striker hits a flash cap which ignites the safety fuse.  The bomb is thrown from the plane.  The safety fuse burns for 40 seconds and sets off the smokeless powder which ejects the paper strips.

"Baka" Piloted Rocket Bomb

Bomb Data
Overall length: 19 feet, 10 inches
Wingspread: 16 feet, 5 inches


Description: The "Baka" bomb is a suicide weapon designed to be controlled by a human pilot.  It is carried beneath the fuselage of a bomber and released near its target.  Three rocket motors provide propulsion after release from the mother plane.  The entire explosive content of the Baka bomb is contained in the warhead in the nose.


Warhead Data
  

Fuzes: A-3(g), B-9(a), B-10(a), two of each.
Overall Length: 68 and 1/2 inches

Diameter: 23 and 1/2 inches

Thickness of wall: 1 and 1/4 inches

Material of wall: Steel

Suspension: The warhead is secured to the fuselage of the "Baka" bomb by four brackets welded to the base plate.

  

Type of filling: Trinitroanisol

Weight of filling: 1,135 pounds

Total weight of warhead: 2,645 pounds
  

Color and markings:  Grey overall.  Green band around nose, a brown band adjacent to it.
 

Description: The warhead is of one-piece machined steel construction.  It has parallel sides and an ogival nose.  The nose fuze pocket is 8 and 1/2 inches deep.  The after end of the warhead is closed by a base plate.  Four tail fuze pockets are grouped around a central threaded hole in a slightly raised portion of the base plate.  The center hole accommodates an arming device which the pilot operates to arm the four tail fuzes simultaneously.
    

Type 3 and Model 10 Bomb Launching Devices

Type 3

Overall Length: 40 and 1/2 inches

Maximum Diameter: 7 and 7/8 inches

Model 10

Overall Length: 33 inches

Maximum Diameter: 7 and 7/8 inches

Description: Both motors are designed as propulsion units for 60-kilogram ordinary or land-use bombs.  The motors are used to propel these bombs from crude V-shaped wooden troughs for land bombardment.  The motors are interchangeable and may be used on either the 60kg ordinary or land-use bomb.

Type 3

Weight of complete round: 92 pounds

Weight of propellant: 25 pounds
Length of propellant stick: 18 and 1/8 inches
Depth of propellant stick: 3 and 5/16 inches
Weight of ignition charge: 2 ounces

Model 10

Weight of complete round: 52 pounds

Weight of propellant: 13 pounds
Length of propellant stick: 10 and 1/4 inches
Depth of propellant stick: 3 and 5/16 inches
Weight of ignition charge: 2 ounces

Propellant: The propellant charge consists of three sticks of 343 D.T.2 and 343 special D.T.2 (code designation) for the Model 10 and Type 3, respectively.  The chemical analysis of 343 D.T.2 is 65% nitrocellulose, 30% nitroglycerine, 3% ethyl centralite, and 2% sodium chloride.  The chemical analysis of 343 special D.T.2 is not known but probably involves a small variation of 343 D.T.2.  The complete Japanese designation for 343 D.T.2 is Type 93 Mk 2 propellant.

Ignition: The propellant is ignited by an electrical squib.  Current is supplied by a hand generator.

Launcher: A crude V-shaped wooden trough mounted on a bipod forward and a steel base plate aft.  The angle of elevation can be varied.

Remarks: The variation in the size of the two motors is possible a means of varying the range.

Next Time: Imperial Japanese Land Mines

Imperial Japanese Navy Explosives - Bombs (Part 7)

Imperial Japanese Navy Explosives

5kg Parachute Flare Model 2 Modification 1

 

Fuzes: Pull igniter

Overall Length: 25 and 1/8 inches

Diameter: 3 and 1/8 inches

Material of wall: Light sheet steel
  

Type of suspension: None

Suspension lug: Thrown by hand from plane

 

Type of filling: Illuminant

Weight of filling: 5 pounds 8 ounces

Total weight of flare: 10 pounds 3/4 ounce

Composition of illuminant:
-Barium nitrate: 55.5%
-Aluminum, powdered: 11%
-Magnesium, powdered: 18%
-Wax: 9.1%
 

Color and markings: Body is grey overall.  Two labels give description and instruction for use.
 

Construction: The flare case is cylindrical and of light sheet steel construction.  It contains an illuminating candle unit and a parachute, and is closed at both ends by metal caps.  The cap on the parachute end may be removed by pulling a tear strip.

The illuminating candle unit container is cylindrical in shape and is made of corrugated sheet tin.  A copper tube extends the length of the unit and the illuminant is cast around it.  A wooden plug is fitted into the top of the flare and is held there by a metal cap and several screws.

The fuze is inserted in a hole in the plug and fits down into the copper tube.  Four black powder impregnated strips are attached to the fuze and extend down the copper tube to the base of the illuminant.  Similar black powder strips are cast in the bottom of the flare.  A wooden ring in the base of the candle unit holds it away from the bottom of the flare containers.

The fuze used is of the pull igniter type.  A tin cylinder fits over the end of the fuze and extends up through the parachute to the end cap.  The pull cord attached to the catch on the fuze is led up through the tin cylinder to the end cap.

The parachute is made of silk and is attached to the candle unit by a length of wire rope.  The wire rope is spliced and the two ends are attached to two eyes fastened to the wooden plug in the end of the illuminant container.

Operation: The tear strip is pulled and the end cap removed.  Then the igniter cord is pulled and the flare is thrown from the plane.  The striker in the fuze hits the primer which ignites the powder train.  This burns slowly down to the black powder strings cast in the base of the illuminant, igniting the illuminant.  The expanding gases expel the candle unit and the parachute from the container.  The unit burns for approximately 1 minute and 30 seconds giving off a brilliant white flame.

 

 

 

Type 0 Parachute Flares Model 1 and Model 1 Modification 1
 

 
Fuzes: D-3(a), D-4(a)

Overall Length: 42 and 1/2 inches

Length of body: 39 and 1/2 inches

Diameter of body: 6 and 3/4 inches

Thickness of wall: 3/64 inches

Material of wall: Sheet Steel
 

Type of suspension: Horizontal

Suspension lug: Normal Navy suspension lug

Length of tail: 14 and 3/4 inches
Width of tail fins: 1 and 13/16 inches

Dimensions of tail struts: None

Material of tail: Sheet Steel
 

Type of filling: Illuminant (silver-grey in appearance)

Weight of filling: 66 pounds

Total weight of bomb:
-Model 1: 84 pounds
-Model 1 Modification 1: 88 pounds
 

Color and markings:
-Model 1: Grey overall with 1/4-inch red stripe just below the end piece
-Model 1 Modification 1: Grey overall with a 1/4-inch red stripe just above the end piece and a 1/2-inch white stripe around the body.
 

Construction: The flare consists of three main elements: (1) the flare case, (2) the illuminating candle unit, (3) the parachute.

1. The flare case consists of three sections: a nosepiece, body, and end cap.  The nosepiece is soldered securely to the body, and the hemi-spherical end cap is held in position by spot soldering in four places.  Four tail fins are welded to the after two-fifths of the body.  A steel ring 1 inch wide fits around the body at its junction with the tail cone.  It is attached to the fins and serves to brace them as well as to retard the velocity of the flare's free fall.  The nose is threaded to receive the fuze.

2.  The illuminant is contained in a cardboard canister which is covered by sheet brass 0.025 inch thick.  The after end is closed by a steel plate held by screws to the cylinder.  A 1/4-inch wire rope 65 inches long from which the candle unit is suspended is attached to this steel plate by means of a shackle.  The forward end of the container is open and fits against a wooden block in the nosepiece.  The illuminant at the opened end contains in its center an ignition charge 3 inches in diameter and 1/4-inch thick.

Length of illuminant container: 26 inches
Length of illuminant: 24 and 1/2 inches
Diameter of illuminant: 5 and 1/2 inches

3.  Model 1: A single silk parachute is housed in the after end of the body.  It is surrounded by a layer of cardboard to insure smooth ejection.
 
Model 1 Modification 1: A small guide parachute and a larger parachute are housed in the after end of the body.  They are surrounded by a layer of cardboard to insure smooth injection.
 

Operation: Shortly after being released from the plane the aerial burst fuze operates.  The resultant flash from the magazine ignites the ignition charge which in turn ignites the illuminant.  The expanding gases force the end cap off and eject the parachute and illuminating candle unit.  The flare sheds a bright white light and burns for 3 minutes and 40 seconds.

 

 

 

Type 0 Parachute Flares Model 2 and Model 3 Modification 1

   
Fuzes: D-3(a), D-4(a)

Model 2

Overall Length: 38 and 1/2 inches

Length of body: 35 and 1/2 inches

Diameter of body: 6 and 3/4 inches

Thickness of wall: 3/64 inches

Material of wall: Sheet Steel

Model 3 Modification 1

Overall Length: 42 and 1/2 inches

Length of body: 39 and 1/2 inches

Diameter of body: 6 and 3/4 inches

Thickness of wall: 3/64 inches

Material of wall: Sheet Steel

  
 

Type of suspension: Horizontal

Suspension lug: Normal Navy suspension lug

Model 2
Length of tail: 13 and 1/2 inches

 

Model 3 Modification 1

Length of tail: 15 inches

 

 

Dimensions of tail struts: None

Material of tail: Sheet Steel
 

Type of filling: Illuminant

Weight of filling: 66 pounds

Total weight of bomb:
-Model 2: 84 pounds
-Model 3 Modification 1: 88 pounds
 

Color and markings:
-Model 2: Grey overall with 1/4-inch red stripe just below the end piece
-Model 3 Modification 1: Grey overall with a black stripe around the nose and a 1/4-inch red stripe above the end piece.
 

Construction: The flare consists of three main elements: (1) the flare case, (2) the illuminating candle unit, (3) the parachute.

1. The flare case consists of three sections: a nosepiece, body, and end cap. The nosepiece is soldered securely to the body, and the hemi-spherical end cap is held in position by spot soldering in four places.  Four tail fins are welded to the after two-fifths of the body. A steel ring 1 inch wide fits around the body at its junction with the tail cone. It is attached to the fins and serves to brace them as well as to retard the velocity of the flare's free fall.   The nose is threaded to receive the fuze.

2. The illuminant is contained in a cardboard canister which is covered by sheet brass 0.025 inch thick. The after end is closed by a steel plate held by screws to the cylinder. A 1/4-inch wire rope 65 inches long from which the candle unit is suspended is attached to this steel plate by means of a shackle. The forward end of the container is open and fits against a wooden block in the nosepiece. The illuminant at the opened end contains in its center an ignition charge 3 inches in diameter and 1/4-inch thick.

Length of illuminant container: 26 inches
Length of illuminant: 24 and 1/2 inches
Diameter of illuminant: 5 and 1/2 inches

3. Model 2: A single silk parachute is housed in the after end of the body. It is surrounded by a layer of cardboard to insure smooth ejection.

Model 3 Modification 1: A small guide parachute and a larger parachute are housed in the after end of the body. They are surrounded by a layer of cardboard to insure smooth injection.

Operation: Shortly after being released from the plane the aerial burst fuze operates. The resultant flash from the magazine ignites the ignition charge which in turn ignites the illuminant. The expanding gases force the end cap off and eject the parachute and illuminating candle unit. The flare sheds a bright white light and burns for 3 minutes and 40 seconds.

Experimental Model 11 Parachute Flares

 

Fuzes: D-3(a), D-4(a)

Model 11 Conical

Overall Length: 45 inches

Length of body: 43 and 1/2 inches

Diameter of body: 9 and 1/4 inches

Thickness of wall: 3/64 inches

Material of wall: Sheet Steel

Model 11 Ogival

Overall Length: 46 and 1/2 inches

Length of body: 43 and 1/2 inches

Diameter of body: 9 and 1/4 inches

Thickness of wall: 3/64 inches

Material of wall: Sheet Steel

 

Type of suspension: Horizontal

Suspension lug: Normal Navy suspension lug

Length of tail fins: 13 and 3/4 inches

 

Dimensions of tail struts: None

Material of tail: Sheet Steel

Type of filling: Illuminant

Weight of filling: 68 pounds

Total weight of bomb:
-Model 11 Conical: 106 pounds
-Model 11 Ogival: 110 pounds
 

Color and markings: Grey overall with 1/4-inch red stripe above the end piece
 

Construction: The flare consists of three main elements: (1) the flare case, (2) the illuminating candle unit, (3) the parachute.

1. The flare case consists of three sections: a nosepiece, body, and end cap. The nosepiece is soldered securely to the body, and the hemi-spherical end cap is held in position by spot soldering in four places. Four tail fins are welded to the after two-fifths of the body. A steel ring 1 inch wide fits around the body at its junction with the tail cone. It is attached to the fins and serves to brace them as well as to retard the velocity of the flare's free fall. The nose is threaded to receive the fuze.

2. The illuminant is contained in a cardboard canister which is covered by sheet brass 0.025 inch thick. The after end is closed by a steel plate held by screws to the cylinder. A 1/4-inch wire rope 65 inches long from which the candle unit is suspended is attached to this steel plate by means of a shackle. The forward end of the container is open and fits against a wooden block in the nosepiece. The illuminant at the opened end contains in its center an ignition charge 3 inches in diameter and 1/4-inch thick.

Length of illuminant container: 25 and 3/4 inches
Length of illuminant: 23 and 3/4 inches
Diameter of illuminant: 7 and 3/4 inches

3.  A small guide parachute and a larger parachute are housed in the after end of the body. They are surrounded by a layer of cardboard to insure smooth injection.

Operation: Shortly after being released from the plane the aerial burst fuze operates. The resultant flash from the magazine ignites the ignition charge which in turn ignites the illuminant. The expanding gases force the end cap off and eject the parachute and illuminating candle unit. The flare sheds a bright white light and burns for 4 minutes and 40 seconds.

Type 94 and Experimental Type Modification 1 Float Lights

 

Fuzes: None

Type 94

Overall Length: 11 and 7/16 inches

Length of body: 11 and 7/16 inches

Diameter of body: 2 and 13/16 inches

Thickness of wall: 3/64 inches

Material of wall: Tin Plate

Experimental type, Modification 1

Overall Length: 21 and 3/4 inches

Length of body: 21 and 3/4 inches

Diameter of body: 4 and 3/4 inches

Thickness of wall: 3/64 inches

Material of wall: Tin Plate

Type of suspension: None

Suspension lug: None

Type 94

Length of tail: 2 and 3/4 inches

Width of tail: 3 inches
Width of tail fins: 1 and 3/4 inches
Dimensions of tail struts: None
Material of tail: Tin Plate

Experimental type, Modification 1

Length of tail: 7 inches

Width of tail: 5 inches
Width of tail fins: 2 and 3/8 inches 

Dimensions of tail struts: 5 inches x 3/8 inch x 1/32 inch

Material of tail: Tin Plate
  

Type of filling: Calcium carbide and Calcium phosphide

Total weight of bomb:
-Type 94: 2.2 pounds
-Experimental type, Modification 1: 6.6 pounds

Charge/weight ratio:
-Type 94: 23%
-Experimental type, Modification 1: 33%
  

Color and markings:
-Type 94: Grey with red pull rings.  One paper label
-Experimental type, Modification 1: Chrome yellow.  Red pull rings.  Two paper labels.
 

Construction of body:  In both types the body is constructed of tin plate rolled into a cylinder with soldered lapped joints.  The hemispherical nosepiece and conical tail piece are soldered to the body.  The nosepiece houses a lead weight. 
  
The calcium carbide is contained in the forward part of the body, the calcium phosphide in the after part.  Two metal tear strips cover water inlet holes in the nose and tail.
  

Construction of tail: Four steel fins are soldered to the body and tail cone.  There are no struts on the Type 94.  The fins on the experimental type are braced by a single set of box-type struts.

Operation: The tear strips are removed before dropping.  On impact with the water, the water enters the holes formerly covered by the tear strips.  Water reacts with calcium phosphide to generate phosphine and calcium carbide to generate acetylene gas. 

On contact with the air phosphine ignites spontaneously and the resultant flame is fed by the acetylene which acts as the main source of fuel.

Type 94 Model 2 and Type 0 Model 1 Float Lights

 

Fuzes: None

Type 94 Model 2

Overall Length: 10 inches

Length of body: 10 inches

Diameter of body: 2 and 13/32 inches

Thickness of wall: 3/64 inches

Material of wall: Tin Plate

Type 0 Model 1

Overall Length: 13 and 13/16 inches

Length of body: 13 and 13/16 inches

Diameter of body: 2 and 7/8 inches

Thickness of wall: 3/64 inches

Material of wall: Tin Plate

Type of suspension: None

Suspension lug: None

Type 94 Model 2

Length of tail: 3 and 1/4 inches

Width of tail fins: 1 inches
Dimensions of tail struts: None
Material of tail: Tin Plate

Type 0 Model 1

Length of tail: 4 and 1/8 inches

Width of tail fins: 1 and 5/8 inches

Dimensions of tail struts: 3 and 1/8 inches x 1/4 inch x 1/32 inch

Material of tail: Tin Plate

Type of filling: Calcium carbide and Calcium phosphide
 

Color and markings: Grey overall with two labels posted on body.
 

Construction of body: In both types the body is constructed of tin plate rolled into a cylinder with soldered lapped joints. The ogival nosepiece and conical tail piece are soldered to the body. The nosepiece houses a lead weight.

The calcium carbide is contained in the forward part of the body, the calcium phosphide in the after part. Two metal tear strips cover water inlet holes in the nose and tail.
 

Construction of tail:
-Type 94 Model 2: Three tail fins are soldered to the tail cone.  There are no struts.

-Type 0 Model 1: Four tail fins are soldered to the body and tail cone and are braced by a single set of box-type struts.

Operation: The tear strips are removed before dropping. On impact with the water, the water enters the holes formerly covered by the tear strips. Water reacts with calcium phosphide to generate phosphine and calcium carbide to generate acetylene gas.

On contact with the air phosphine ignites spontaneously and the resultant flame is fed by the acetylene which acts as the main source of fuel.

Remarks: The Type 0 Model 1 float light has a deflector on the exterior of the nosepiece which prevents it from penetrating too deeply into the water.

2kg Smoke Float

  

 

Fuze: Pull Igniter

Overall Length: 18 and 1/8 inches

Diameter of body: 4 and 3/4 inches

Type of suspension: Thrown by hand

Total weight: 4 and 3/4 pounds

Color and markings: White except for yellow nose

Description: A cast-brass nosepiece weighted with lead is soldered to a conical body of 22 gage sheet metal.  A smoke candle unit screws into the nose.  An emission tube, supported by three metal disks, passes lengthwise through the center of the body and has a cork plug in the tail end.  Three rounded tail fins are soldered around the after end of the body.

The smoke candle unit consists of a casing of light alloy containing a smoke-producing composition.  A quick match wich and a length of safety fuse connects the candle with the igniter.  The igniter casing contains a release pin, a spring-loaded striker and primer pressed into a plug which screws into the end of the casing.

Operation: The safety pin is removed and the release pin is withdrawn by pulling on the pull ring.  The striker spring is compressed until the release pin is free of the casing and then the striker is released.  It strikes the primer thus igniting the safety fuse and quick match wick which ignites the smoke composition (after a short delay) which produces a yellow smoke.

Remarks: This smoke float will also be found with a black nose and white body.  When so painted, it contains a black smoke unit.



43kg Smoke Float

 

Fuze: D-3(a) (with vane cups)

Overall Length: 51 inches

Length of body: 35 and 1/2 inches

Diameter of body: 11 and 1/4 inches

Thickness of wall: 1/32 inch

Material of wall: Sheet steel
 

Type of suspension: Horizontal

Suspension lug: Normal Navy suspension lug
 

Length of tail: 15 inches

Width of tail: 13 and 1/2 inches
Width of tail fins: 2 and 3/4 inches

Dimensions of tail struts: None

Material of tail: Sheet Steel

Type of filling: Smoke composition
Weight of filling: 42 pounds (including container)
Total weight of bomb: 94 pounds
 

Color and markings: Gray overall with a 1/4-inch red stripe forward of the end cap.

 

Description: The float consists of five sections: a weighted nose, a conical body, a boat-tailed attachment, an after piece and an end cap.  All parts are soldered solidly together with the exception of the end cap which is held on by four spot solders.  Four fins are soldered to the after piece and boat-tailed attachment.  The fuze pocket is located in the side of the after piece and has an extended opening.

The smoke composition is contained in a tin cylinder running from the nosepiece to a steel ring in the boat-tailed attachment.  A pull igniter, delay train, and quickmatch composition are contained within the smoke unit.

The parachute of light weight white silk is packed compactly in the after piece.  The parachute is secured to a 1/4-inch wire rope which is attached to a shackle on a wooden block.  At the junction of the parachute shrouds and wire rope is a chock absorber 3/8-inch bungee rubber strands.  On the opposite side of the block are two 1/4-inch wire ropes which lead through a second wooden block to a steel ring at the after end of the boat-tailed attachment.

Lashed securely to one of the 1/4-inch cables is a 1/16-inch cable leading to a pull igniter in the smoke container.  A second 1/16-inch cable leads from the shackle on the after wooden block to a small wooden disk contained in the second block.  Around this is a black powder ejection charge.  A third 1/16-inch cable leads from the shackle to a contact on the body at the top of the container.

Operation: When the aerial burst fuze functions, the ejection charge is ignited.  The end cap is torn off and the parachute ejected.  As the parachute is blown out, the pull igniter is actuated and the delay train initiated.

The parachute checks the fall of the flare sufficiently to prevent smashing of the case on impact with the water.  The smoke composition burns from 5 to 8 minutes giving off a grey-black smoke that is heavier than air.

Next Time: IJN Markers, a "Window" bomb, and the Baka Bomb