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2014/87/4 Fuse, for high explosive aerial bomb, possibly for British 20 pound Cooper Mk 1, metal, Mills Munitions Factory, Birmingham, England, 1917-1918. Click to enlarge.
  • Image 1 of 2, 2014/87/4 Fuse, for high explosive aerial bomb, possibly for British 20 pound Cooper Mk 1, metal, Mills Munitions Factory, Birmingham, England, 1917-1918. Click to enlarge
  • Image 2 of 2, 2014/87/4 Fuse, for high explosive aerial bomb, possibly for British 20 pound Cooper Mk 1, metal, Mills Munitions Factory, Birmingham, England, 1917-1918. Click to enlarge

Aerial bomb fuse from World War I

Made
This aerial bomb fuse was developed in World War I for use on ordnance which was deployed from aircraft. The arming vane assembly operates once released from the aircraft - which removes the safety pin from the fuse - enabling the blades to turn like a propeller, exposing the detonator to a firing mechanism, which would be activated when the bomb struck a solid object. This fuse was likely used on a Cooper 20 pound aerial bomb.

Wars have always driven technology at a rate which peace time …

Summary

Object No.

2014/87/4

Object Statement

Fuse, for high explosive aerial bomb, possibly for British 20 pound Cooper Mk 1, metal, Mills Munitions Factory, Birmingham, England, 1917-1918

Physical Description

The fuse is a metal dome with a triangle protrusion with a hole through it for the safety pin. A wind-driven propeller is at the apex of the dome. One of the four blades has a hole through it, also for the safety pin.
Used by Royal Flying Corps, World War I.

Marks

No marks

Short URL

https://ma.as/510176

Dimensions

Height

85 mm

Production

Made

Notes

This aerial bomb fuse was designed and manufactured by the Royal Flying Corps, United Kingdom, 1917-1918.

History

Notes

World War I was the first war in which aircraft were used extensively. The ability to spot targets, and deploy explosives was utilised strategically, particularly by the British and German forces. In order to maximise the small amount of explosives an aircraft could carry and deploy, detonation control was imperative. This bomb fuse was developed to ensure that, once the payload was released, the fuse would arm the detonator away from the aircraft, and and prior to impact - which would explode the device.

Source

Credit Line

Unknown source, 2014

Acquisition Date

25 August 2014

Cite this Object

Harvard

Aerial bomb fuse from World War I 2022, Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, accessed 5 June 2023, <https://ma.as/510176>

Wikipedia

{{cite web |url=https://ma.as/510176 |title=Aerial bomb fuse from World War I |author=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences |access-date=5 June 2023 |publisher=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, Australia}}

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