Description
This bomb has a streamlined, one-piece, cast-steel body, with the nose end open to take an exploder container. The rear end is reduced to form a spigot for taking the parachute attachment. The spigot is tapped end threaded to receive the securing stud of the parachute attachment. The exploder container is cemented and locked in position. The No. 873 Nose Fuze is locked in position by a multi-tab washer.
No tail is used with this bomb, which is especially designed to be used only in the No. 17 Mk 2 Cluster. It has a short parachute attachment, secured to the body spigot by a threaded stud. The parachute tray houses an 8-in. diameter fabric parachute with six pairs of rigging lines; each pair terminating in a whipped eye. These eyes pass through holes in the tray and are threaded onto a metal circlip, which is secured on the underside of the tray. A lid over the parachute in the tray is held in position by the fuze of the bomb behind it. When the cluster opens, the air slip displaces the lid, which pulls the chute free of the tray.
This bomb has no suspension lugs, as it is used only in the No. 17 Mk II Cluster.
Functioning
No information about functioning.
See Also
British Bombs - Designation and Classification
Cluster Projectile, 500 lb, No. 17 Mk 2
Source(s)
OP 1665, British Explosive Ordnance (1946)
