AIRCRAFT BOMBS.

212. Bombs at present in use can be divided into 7 groups:(i) A.P. (Armour-Piercing) and S.A.P. (Semi-Armour-Piercing)
(ii) G.P. (General Purpose) and M.C. (Medium Capacity) }H.E. Bombs
(iii) A/S (Anti-Submarine).
}H.E. Bombs
(iv) Anti-personnel.
}H.E. Bombs
(v) Incendiary.
(vi) Practice.
(vii) Drill.
The main filling of H.E. bombs is detonated by similar means to those employed i
n shell, i.e., by an exploder which in turn is ignited by a detonator. The deton
ator is initiated by means of a pistol. In some bombs the detonator and pistol m
echanism are combined in one unit termed a fuze. In either case when a bomb is
70
fitted for service it is said to be fuzed. Mechanical arrangements in the pistol
or fuze allow the bomb to be dropped "Safe" or "Live" as desired. When dropped
live, the fuze cannot function until the bomb has travelled through the air far
enough to " arm " the fuze. This travel is called the " arming distance."
(i) A.P. Bombs-2,000 lb.
These bombs are designed for use against heavily armoured targets and are made o
f steel. They contain a comparatively small charge in relation to the total weig
ht. Detonation is initiated by a fuze in the tail.
S.A.P. Bombs-500 lb. and 250 lb.
These bombs are designed for use' against lightly armoured targets. They are mad
e of steel and contain a comparatively small charge. Earlier types are fitted wi
th a tail fuze, and the latest type with a tail pistol and detonator, giving the
required delay.
(ii) G.P. 250 lb. and M.C. Bombs, 500 lb.
These bombs, as the name implies, are used to attack a variety of targets. They
rely chiefly on blast effect to cause damage and have a relatively large charge.
They are fitted for nose (instantaneous) or tail (delay) fuzing, and use a pist
ol and detonator in both cases.
(iii) A/S Bombs, 100 lb.
These bombs are used against submarines, and also against certain targets where
a large blast effect is required. They have a relatively large charge, and are f
itted for a tail pistol and detonator. (Earlier types were fitted for a nose fuz
e.)
(iv) Anti-Personnel Bombs, 40 lb. G.P. and 20 lb. Fragmentation.
These bombs are designed to give a large number of small fragments on bursting a
nd are fitted with a nose pistol and detonator only. Otherwise they are generall
y similar to the larger G.P. bombs.
(v) Incendiary Bombs, 25 lb. and 30 lb.
The 25 lb. incendiary bomb consists of a metal case containing seven magnesium a
nd thermite firepots which are ejected at 4-second intervals by means of small e
xplosive charges. The 30 lb. incendiary bomb contains an incendiary filling whic
h is ignited and spread by means of an exploder contained in a nose fuze.
(vi) Practice Bombs. 8 1/2 lb., 10 lb. and 11 1/2 lb.
These bombs contain either a smoke flame or a flash composition; smoke for day a

nd flame or flash for night use respectively. On impact a small detonator-burste

r is ignited by means of a pistol which is an integral part of the bomb.
(vii) Drill Bombs.
These may be of any of the above types differing only in that the filling is ine
rt.
Safety Arrangements.
213. Bomb pistols and fuzes are fitted with safety arrangements to prevent deton
ation of a bomb before it is required for use or in the event of a crash or prem
ature release. The safety arrangements take the following forms:71
(i) Safety Pillar: This is fitted to fuzes to prevent the rotation of the arming
vanes (see below) during transit and is removed only after the bomb is loaded o
n to the aircraft.
(ii) Safety Clips: These are fitted to pistols and fuzes to prevent the rotation
of the arming vanes whilst attached to the aircraft in the air. They are remove
d when the bomb is released " live," or remain on the bomb if it is dropped " sa
fe."
(iii) Arming Vanes: These are fitted to fuzes and pistols and rotate as the bomb
falls through the air if the safety clip has been removed. In the case of fuzes
they drive a system of gears which renders the fuze " live " requiring only the
shock of impact to fire the detonators. In the case of pistols they unscrew an
arming nut or cap from the striker which is then held by a creep spring or shear
wire only.
Note. In the case of tail pistols the arming vane is fitted on the bomb tail and
connected to the pistol by means of a spindle.
Supply and Fuzing.
214. Bombs of 100 lb. and above are supplied unboxed, their tail units and nose
pistols being in separate containers. Tail pistols are usually supplied in posit
ion in the bomb. Smaller bombs are supplied boxed with pistols in position. Deto
nators and fuzes are supplied in separate boxes.
Fuzing is carried out in accordance with N.M. and E.R. Article 249.
Markings. Plate 20.
215. Stencil markings on bombs give the following information:(i) Nomenclature and mark.
(ii) The monogram of filling station or trade mark of filling contractor.
(iii) The date of filling.
(iv) The lot number of filling.
Coloured markings are as follows:(i) H.E. bombs are coloured green (old supply were yellow).
(ii) A red band round the nose denotes Filled.
(iii) A white band contiguous to the red band denotes S.A.P.
(iv) A white band either side of the red band denotes A.P.
(v) A plain green band denotes T.N.T. filling. T.N.T. is stencilled on or near t
he band.
(vi) A plain green band with a numeral above and a fraction below indicates an a
matol filling of low grade.

(vii) A criss-cross green band with a fraction below denotes an amatol filling o
f high grade.
(viii) Incendiary bombs are painted dull red.
(ix) Practice bombs are painted white. Two green bands on the tail denote "fille
d with smoke composition "; two black bands on the tail and a red band on the bo
dy denote" filled with flash composition."
(x) Drill bombs are painted black with yellow band.
Note. In (v) and (vi), new supply, the green band is of a lighter shade than the
body colour.