Description
Signals of this series are used primarily for emergency identification purposes at night.
The body of the signal is an aluminum cylinder with a bouchon type of grenade firing mechanism on one end and a metal cap on the other. Contained in the body are the ejection charge, the pyrotechnic candle, and a silk, rayon, or paper parachute. The type and color of the signal star are printed on the side of the cylinder. The closing cap on the lower end of the signal is embossed for night identification as follows: red star, one dot; white star, straight line; and green star a wide '‘V”.
All three signals have an arc of a circle, one inch in length, embossed near the edge of the cap.
Functioning
The signal is initiated in the manner prescribed for all bouchon-fuzed grenades. The 2.75-sccond delay, having been ignited by the primer, ignites the ejection charge. The ejection charge pushes off the closing cap, expelling the pyrotechnic candle and the parachute, at the same time igniting the starting mixture through a quick match. The parachute opens and suspends the candle, which burns for 25 seconds.
See Also
Source(s)
OP 1664, Volume 1 - US Explosive Ordnance (1947)
USNBD - Bombs and Fuzes, Pyrotechnics (1945)
