Description
Float Flare Mk 15 Type is used by PT boats in illuminating enemy ships.
The flare consists of a wooden body housing a pyrotechnic column and having a metallic base to provide flotation stability. The top of the flare is closed by a cone-shaped adapter which contains a bouchon grenade-firing mechanism attached to a celluloid disc. Enclosed is a 3.5-foot length of time fuse. The starter composition is attached to the flash end of the time fuse. The illuminant composition is next to the starter composition.
Mod 1 is like the Mod 0, except that it has a mechanical clockwork timing device—for settings from one to 30 minutes—instead of the time-fuse device.
Functioning
The flare is held horizontally, with the right hand firmly grasping the bouchon lever and the left hand supporting the nose cap. The safety key is pulled and the flare is tossed overboard. When the bouchon lever is released, the firing pin is forced by the firing-pin spring to impinge upon the primer. The primer ignites the time fuse. The time fuse flashes into a booster bag of starter composition, which, in turn, ignites the flare.
See Also
Nothing else to see.
Source(s)
OP 1664, Volume 1 - US Explosive Ordnance (1947)
USNBD - Bombs and Fuzes, Pyrotechnics (1945)
