Description
This high altitude flare is used to illuminate seaplane landing areas at night, and to illuminate an island base when low ceilings do not permit proper visibility from normal flying levels.
The flare consists of a cylindrical steel tube body with a copper cup welded to the closed end of the tube. The body contains an expelling charge, a pyrotechnic candle, and a silk parachute. The copper cup contains a fuse assembly, a propelling charge, 25 grams of a combination smokeless powder and black powder, and a standard shotgun primer.
The mortar consists of a steel tube 36 inches long and 2.8 inches in diameter. The tube is screwed into a steel base plate 0.75 inch thick and 12 inches square. The base plate is provided with a central stud into which is pressed a hardened steel firing pin.
Functioning
Remove the dosing cap from the end of the mortar. Attach a 30-foot lanyard to the brass release pin and insert the pin in the two holes drilled transversely about six inches from the end of the mortar. Insert the flare into the mortar so that it rests on the release pin, with the copper end down. Fire the flare by pulling the lanyard, thus removing the release pin. The flare falls to the bottom of the mortar, firing the primer. The primer sets off the propelling charge and ignites the delay fuse. The expanding gases force the copper cup away from the flare and fill the bore of the mortar. The flare is propelled 1,000 feet into the air, at which time the delay fuse ignites the expelling charge. The pyrotechnic candle and parachute are expelled, the expelling charge igniting the candle.
See Also
Nothing else to see.
Source(s)
OP 1664, Volume 1 - US Explosive Ordnance (1947)
