Box M. 118 Mk I – A wooden box, dimensions are 52.8 inches by 8.2 inches by 9.5 inches, the weight empty is 52 lb. This box was used for a variety ‘UP’ Unrotated Projectile, components.
In this example the box was used for holding 2 Bombs, 5 in U CHEM. The two bombs were stored end to end with fuze end facing inwards. Special packing pieces are included and two pressure plate plugs are attached to threaded bosses at each end of the box. Fairings are place in a container in the packing pieces. The weight filled is 103.5 lb.
Bomb, “U” Chemical, 5 inches. – The bomb is an adaption of the 30-lb. G.P. aircraft bomb. It has a cylindrical welded steel case fitted with a burster container at the nose end. A hemispherical fairing is fitted at this end when the bomb is prepared for use, being retained in position by the fuze which passes through a hole in the fairing and is provided with a circlip.
The base of the bomb is fitted with a spigot threaded internally and externally. A tapered charging hole plug is screwed into the spigot. The threads on the outside of the spigot engage in the screw-threaded hole in the pressure plate plug of the tail propelling, and provides the only means of attachment of the tail and bomb.
The burster container accommodates a Fuze, No. 721, which carries the total head filling for the bomb in a large magazine attached to the fuze body. Bombs are stored plugged with plug, bomb, nose No. 28. Leakages during storage are fairly common, owing to softness of welding.
Bombs are charged G1. The weight of the charging is approximately 10 ½ lb. and the number of bombs in one Lot is 1,000. The overall length of the bomb plugged and without fairing is 17.82 inches. The filled weight of the bomb, plugged and without fairing, is 25.5 lb.
The overall colour of the box is grey, which denotes chemical weapons.
RSV 10/42
RSV was the monogram for ICI Rocksavage, Runcorn, Liverpool, on the banks of the River Mersey and was very close (approx. 2.25 miles) to ‘Randle’ another ICI factory on Wigg Island. Randle was especially constructed in 1937 for the manufacture of Mustard Gas. The bombs would have been filled at Rocksavage in October 1942.
Green Band G1 UV
Green Band - choking and nose gases
G1 - Phosgene (Carbonyl Chloride)
UV – Un-varnished. The interior of the bombs were varnished internally to protect them from their chemical fillings. The majority of bombs are varnished.
The colours of bands are:-
Basic
- Yellow for vesicant gases,
- Green for choking and nose gases.
- Black for lachrymatory gases.
Designation of Chemical Chargings
It had been customary in the past to refer to the different chemical chargings of C.W. ammunition in several ways:
- By correct scientific names, e.g., Carbonyl Chloride (Phosgene), Dichlorodiethyl Sulphide (Mustard).
- By colloquial names which may be either words in full, e.g., “Mustard” or a series of initials, e.g., “B.B.C.”
- By code names : a system associated with the markings of C.W. ammunition which has been introduced during the war.
It was decided that in the interests of security, chemical chargings would be referred to solely by their code names. The use of scientific or colloquial names was not permitted.
Classification of Chemical Chargings
There were three classes of chemical chargings:-
- Y Class-Blister gases (Vesicants).
- G Class- Choking and nose gases (Asphixiators).
- B Class – Tear gases (Lachrymators).
The classification letter “Y,” “G,” or “B” is to be followed by the serial number and suffix letter (where applicable) of the charging.
Head ............................Bomb, U, chemical, 5-in
Dimensions ...................5 in diameter by 17.75 in (plugged and without fairing).
Filling ...........................Yellow No. 1, 3, 5 0r 13: Black No. 1 or 3: Green No. 1.
Volume for filling ............209 cu. in.
Weight of filling .............Varies from 9 lb. 2 oz. to 12 lb. 14 oz.
Weight total ..................27 lb. 7 oz. to 31 lb. 3 oz. (including fuze and fairing.)
Fuze .............................Fuze, percussion D.A., No. 721, Mk III
Motor assembly ..............Tail, propelling, rocket, 5-in., Mks I to IV/LN/
Diameter, outside ...........4.95”
Length ..........................21”
Weight, less charge ........24 lb. 10 oz.
Charge ..........................11 sticks S.U. Cordite (15.8 in. x 1 in. (od) .5 in (id)
Total weight ...................5 lb. 8 oz.
Range of rocket was 3,500 yards. Overall length 42.87 inches.
TimG
p.s. Found in a junk shop in Cumbria, regret not buying it.
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