Questions for armourers

[Spitfire]

Its been in my mind for ages and ages but I never get around to asking .........

Could somebody explain to me - in words of one syllable or less - just exactly how a bomb - and for that matter a missile is actually attached to an aircraft

I know that I see blokes in old films either lifting up or winching up bombs into the bay - then all of a sudden the bomb is self supporting ..... Now I know the release is probably electrical - but what exactly is the mechanism like that holds the bomb - and how is it used in the bomb bay that then takes the weight of the bomb and is then so very easily released by the bomb aimer and one button

I've also seen footage into a B17 bomb bay in flight and you look down at the bay and the bombs hanging there and when the doors open the bombs are all moving about on the racks Not very secure looking

Then moving on to missiles - you must have to have a release mechanism and an electrical unit or some other doo hickey that fires the missiles power unit So how's that done then

Don't all shout at once .... I know its probably easy for you technical service types but I've never understood it

[Xplumberlives]

S.F. the bomb is attached with in the case of The RAF either No 43 lugs into an ERU or on Tornados MACE equipment is used.

Two projections from the surface of the bomb engage in an EXPLOSIVE RELEASE UNIT. When the pickle button is depressed the cartridges are electrically fired and the locks disengage. Two pistons extend to punch the bomb clear of the slipstream, otherwise it could stay with the aircraft for several seconds and miss the target.

[Spitfire]

OK - now put that in English

How does the armourer engage the bomb in said ERU thingy - and what's MACE
Didn't mummy ever tell you not to use jargon when explaining things to dimbos

[Xplumberlives]

Sorry, I was dealing with a TIT from Sawbridgeworth!

The Bomb is lifted mechanically until the lugs engage into the jaws of the ERU, these are then checked and locked.

more to follow.

[Mayfly]

Depending on what bombs they are depends on the exact design of ERU [Ejector Release Unit] but the basic method is

On top of the bomb are 2 screw in lugs that are 'D' shaped [for the want of a better description]

The ERU consist of 2 jaws [hooks] that locate into the D lugs & locked into position by a geometric lock. There are 1 or more pistons that are activated by gas pressure from cartridges that are ignited when the tit [tech term] is pressed in the cockpit. The geometric lock is broken allowing the bomb to fall & the pistons as XP said kick the bomb away from the a/c.

Very Basic & Very Simple description and difficult to explain without diagrams.

[Spitfire]

OK - got that -so how are thearmourers making the attachment in the bomb bay as the tit was pressed last and the ERUs are therefore open - how do they close them

Diagrams - come on Diagrams

[Xplumberlives]

If only I was still in the service.


I don't have a scanner, do you have access to a fax at work and can you P.M. me the Fax No?

[Mayfly]

OK - got that -so how are thearmourers making the attachment in the bomb bay as the tit was pressed last and the ERUs are therefore open - how do they close them

Diagrams - come on Diagrams

Usually with a special tool that fits in a keyway & just turns much the same as using a key in a door this makes the geometric lock, the gas pressure breaks it - they would also need to remove the empty carts & refit new ones of course,

[Xplumberlives]

But the later ones self lock without the need of the key, you are from the No 120 ERU generation mylady!

I moved on to the No 126!

[Mayfly]

But the later ones self lock without the need of the key, you are from the No 120 ERU generation mylady!

I moved on to the No 126!

Yup 12 to be exact!!!

[Xplumberlives]

12?

Did you mean the No 122 as used in the CBLS?

[Aceyone]

If you Google " images of bomb release mechanism " you get quite a few photos and some schematics too,without all the ex-armourer tittle-tattle

[Sooty655]

And don't forget that with iron bombs in something like a Vulcan, you don't mount the bombs in the aircraft at all. The bombs (7 of them) are mounted into a bomb rack, and the complete rack is then mounted into the aircraft. The connection between the afore-mentioned "tit" and the individual bombs is via a multi-way electrical connector.

Come to Wellesbourne sometime, and we will show you. If you can find a bomb rack for us, we will even demonstrate. We have been looking for one for years.

[Xplumberlives]

Do you mean the VULCAN 7 STORE CARRIER, I trained on them!

[Sooty655]

Do you mean the VULCAN 7 STORE CARRIER, I trained on them!

I do indeed, but don't tell me your life story, just find me one.

[Xplumberlives]

Have you tried RAF Cosford?

[Mayfly]

12?

Did you mean the No 122 as used in the CBLS?

yes I did I was 2 short - get it 2 short

[Xplumberlives]

I think tomorrow may be a long day!

[Mayfly]

24 hours at a guess!!!

[Sooty655]

Have you tried RAF Cosford?

Hendon have one but won't let it go - not sure about Cosford, but I'll find out.

Generally, museums will not let ANYTHING go. We need to find one either in a scrap yard or held as surplus stock to have any chance of getting it released.

[Xplumberlives]

No not Cosfords museum, the School of Technical Training had several!

[Mayfly]

I trained on them too....

[Xplumberlives]

Rumour has it they could be and occasionally were fitted back to front!

[Nickolas]

Sorry, I was dealing with a TIT from Sawbridgeworth!

The Bomb is lifted mechanically until the lugs engage into the jaws of the ERU, these are then checked and locked.

more to follow.

OI


Vulcans had a 90 way relase thingy so What are the 90 ways...........

List please.

[Xplumberlives]

Well he's your son!