Identify WW2 Bomb!

John Lane · **Posted:** Sat Jan 23, 2010 4:45 pm

Can anyone help me identify a WW2 1000 Lb. Aerial Bomb (inert). I'm not good at posting photos but have then in my computer. Just need a historian type to come forward to help with the identity.

Thank You, John Lane

208-324-3650 Hangar #

Brad · **Joined:** Thu Apr 29, 2004 10:30 pm **Posts:** 1131

"There is no acceptance for a fuse in the nose, just smooth and round. The tail fins are captured by a round flange like a lot of the Brit or German bombs were, also the opening on the top at the front is about 4 inches and had a cap of some sort to seal it up. I think this also could have be a practice bomb, but was never painted light blue"

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Sat Jan 23, 2010 8:44 pm

John, to me it looks like a air laid mine or a depth charge.

Robbie Stuart · **Posted:** Sat Jan 23, 2010 8:53 pm

John, I ain't gotta clue what kinda bomb that is, just wanted to say good to see ya here again on WIX, & hope all is well with one of my ole CAF Buddies.
Robbie :f4u:

Jesse C. · **Posted:** Sat Jan 23, 2010 10:06 pm

Maybe it is a Napalm Bomb? Could the fuse be part of the missing cap?

Stoney · **Posted:** Sat Jan 23, 2010 11:54 pm

All the pix I've seen of US bombs had square fins, Brits had round ones.

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Sun Jan 24, 2010 1:08 am

Stoney wrote:

All the pix I've seen of US bombs had square fins, Brits had round ones.

my same opinion.

RAMC181 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 24, 2010 9:25 am

I've been going through my wartime bomb manuals, but I haven't found an exact match as yet.
It has both US and British attachment lugs, a good sign of wartime design, so something might turn up.
There doesn't appear to be any facility for a tail fuse from the photos, although the red area on the back of the casing could be covering something.

I would suggest asking in the bombs section of the BOCN forum, someone there will know what it is for sure.
http://www.bocn.co.uk/index.php

All the best,
PB

John Lane · **Posted:** Sun Jan 24, 2010 12:35 pm

Thank you guys for you input!

I'm sure its U.S. because of access plugs on both sides are 5/8" X 18 National Fine Thread and a 1" size wrench or six point socket fits it perfectly! The opening in the back of the bomb housing has about a 8" round opening but is plugged back up inside with a large domed 1/2 basket ball shaped cover facing aft. The plug is recessed up inside about 10" so when you look at the aft end it looks open.

Keep digging as there are more people on this web board that have information on this stuff than I do, that why I asked for your help!

Thank You!

JDK · **Posted:** Sun Jan 24, 2010 6:41 pm

Ah, the one and only Slim Man / Teeny Boy. :lol:

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Sun Jan 24, 2010 7:14 pm

BTW depth bombs/charges and aerial mines had round fins :idea:

ZRX61 · **Joined:** Tue Jun 14, 2005 10:16 am **Posts:** 2308

John Lane wrote:

Thank you guys for you input!

I'm sure its U.S. because of access plugs on both sides are 5/8" X 18 National Fine Thread and a 1" size wrench or six point socket fits it perfectly!

US standard threads are the same as UK standard threads....We invented em

John Lane · **Posted:** Mon Jan 25, 2010 1:13 pm

ZRX61 wrote:

John Lane wrote:

Thank you guys for you input!

I'm sure its U.S. because of access plugs on both sides are 5/8" X 18 National Fine Thread and a 1" size wrench or six point socket fits it perfectly!

US standard threads are the same as UK standard threads....We invented em

I not sure I'm following your statement, sure we invented them!! After being involved with both British and U.S. WW1 through WW2 aircraft restoration for 38 years I have never heard or seen any of what you are talking about!!

The only thing I have found to be of a constant is the diameter, the thread pitch and head size are totally different.

Aircraft bombs built in the UK for U.S. usage would have had three lugs instead of two. UK manufactured and used by for British would of only had a single lug in the center.

I appreciate your input but I believe you have some misguided information! I'm not trying to start an argument, I just want to identify this so I might paint and mark it correctly, so when its displayed on an aircraft someone doesn't come along and say, what is this. We'll its aaaah bomb!!!

airnutz · **Posted:** Mon Jan 25, 2010 1:25 pm

John, have you done the math to see what the internal volume of the bomb is? Just curious..
It's odd that it's got built-up 3D fins. I'm thinking napalm or chemical weapon given the apparent
thin casing skin.

John Lane · **Posted:** Mon Jan 25, 2010 4:04 pm

airnutz wrote:

John, have you done the math to see what the internal volume of the bomb is? Just curious..
It's odd that it's got built-up 3D fins. I'm thinking napalm or chemical weapon given the apparent
thin casing skin.

I apologize for my ignorance!!

One source pm'd saying he's 90 percent sure it is a USN depth bomb. There is no adaptation for a depth fuse and the large locking lug jeep type looking gas cap housing throws me off. :rolleyes:

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