The Powerhouse acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the ancestral homelands upon which our museums are situated. We respect their Elders, past, present and future and recognise their continuous connection to Country.
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

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

Dimensions

Height

85 mm

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 24 March 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=24 March 2023 |publisher=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, Australia}}