Description
The flare has a tubular body containing the candle unit and the Parachute Mk V. The tail end of the body is closed by a closing dome, and has four tail fins attached. The nose end of the body is closed by a diaphragm to which a bush is secured. The transit plug or the nose fuze is screwed into this bush.
A flash hole in the diaphragm is covered by a paper disc and gives access to a “powder-puff” consisting of a primed cambric bag containing gunpowder. The powder puff is secured to a perforated disc. Its purpose is, with the aid of the perforated disc, to eject the candle unit and parachute from the flare body and to ignite the flare candle.
The candle unit comprises a steel container closed at the top by a lid and at the bottom by a dished washer. In the container is a magnesium alloy candle body containing a small quantity of gunpowder, some priming composition, and a quantity of incendiary composition. The hole in the washer is closed by a primed cambric disc. The candle unit is held in place in the flare body by a felt washer, felt strips, and three wooden slats. The slats extend beyond the top of the candle unit and the closing dome, and, when the flare is activated, push off the closing dome to permit the candle unit and parachute to move out of the flare body. A shackle attached to the lid connects the candle unit to the suspension rope of the parachute.
A suspension band with two removable suspension lugs is secured to the flare body. The lugs are secured to the suspension band by screws having a locking wire passing through their heads. A crutch pad is also secured to the flare body.
These flares are similar in external appearance to the 4.5 inch Reconnaissance Flare Mk IV.
The Flare Mk II is similar to the Mk I, except that, just below its lid, the candle unit is provided with a container filled with gunpowder. This gunpowder is ignited by the incendiary composition and ejects any magnesium alloy which remains in the candle unit when the incendiary composition is expended. This insures that odd pieces of burning magnesium alloy do not continue to fall after the flare has served its purpose. The Flare Mk III is identical to the Mk II, except that the burning time has been increased to 120 sec. by use of a different type of incendiary composition, and of a steel container and magnesium alloy candle body which are 3 in. longer than those in the Flare Mk II. The increased length of the candle unit is accommodated by reducing the space occupied by the parachute.
Functioning
No information about functioning.
See Also
Nothing else to see.
Source(s)
OP 1665, British Explosive Ordnance (1946)
