Description
The body is made of thin metal, approximately rectangular in shape, having a square cross section with rounded corners. It tapers slightly from the rear toward the nose. The body is closed at the nose end by a front cover housing a nose cup, which is taped and cemented in place. The nose cup of the rear bomb forms a safety device for the fuze in the front bomb of a pair, as bombs are dropped in pairs. The rear cover is located approximately in the middle of the bomb. The bomb incorporates a steel, cone-shaped charge.
The tail is integral with the body, being only a continuation of the thin metal case. The rear bomb of a pair has a retarder plate to pull the rear bomb free of the front one when dropped from the container. The tail also has a safety tube of light-gauge metal with a cardboard inner sleeve, forming a safety device for the fuze of the rear bomb of a pair. A locating plate near the rear of the safety tube locates the tube in the tail of the bomb.
These bombs are carried in the 250 lb. Small Bomb Container, which holds 24 bombs. They are loaded in pairs, with the nose of the rear bomb housed in the tail of the front bomb.
The bomb is designed for use against tanks and armored vehicles. It will blow a hole approximately nine inches in diameter in armor plating 2 in. thick, and is effective at striking angles up to 45 degrees.
The 9 lb. AT Practice Bomb Mk I is approximately the same shape, size, and filled weight, and has the same approximate ballistic characteristics. However, it has neither exploder nor detonator. Its body breaks up on impact with the target to release a white filling, clearly visible from the air.
Functioning
No information about functioning.
See Also
British Bombs - Designation and Classification
Source(s)
OP 1665, British Explosive Ordnance (1946)
