Description
Double star aircraft signals are used as emergency identification by aircraft.
The Pyrotechnic Pistol AN-M8 or Projector M9 is used for firing the signal.
The signal cartridge has an aluminum, plastic, or steel barrel with an extraction groove at the closed end which houses the primer. A press-fit identification top is cemented into the opposite end, finished with embossed letters to identify the colons of the stars. Appropriately colored bands around the outer case also identify the colors of the stars. In addition, the identification top is appropriately colored. These signals are also classified by the Army as the “Rimless Type.”
AN-M28 |
Red-Red |
RR |
AN-M29. |
Yellow-Yellow |
YY |
AN-M30. |
Green-Green |
GG |
AN-M31. |
Red-Yellow |
RY |
AN-M32. |
Red-Green |
RG |
AN-M33. |
Green-Yellow |
GY |
Functioning
The firing pin of the pistol strikes the primer, igniting the propelling charge. As the stars are expelled from the pistol, they are ignited by the propelling charge through the quickmatch. The stars reach full brilliance after traveling 10 or 50 feet, and rise to a height of approximately 250 feet.
See Also
Nothing else to see.
Source(s)
OP 1664, Volume 1 - US Explosive Ordnance (1947)
USNBD - Bombs and Fuzes, Pyrotechnics (1945)
TM 9-1904, Ammunition Inspection Guide (1944)
