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Cluster Projectile No. 15

Antoon

Well-Known Member
Ordnance approved
In the operations Record Book of a Lancaster squadron is mentioned that they were loaded with 1 x 4000 lb. and 5 x Cluster Projectiles No. 15 (C.P. 15).

But what is the meaning of C6/10 behind CP 15?

From this same mission, in another document, is mentioned that one Lancaster took his cluster projectiles (5 x 750) back. But why is mentioned 750 lb.? The complete cluster with incendiary bombs weights 668 lb.
 

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750lb:
750lb is the order of magnitude of the projectile (although the real weight was 668 lb (303.2kg) including 158 4lb Incendiary sticks.
OP1665 BRITISH EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE defines the cluster projectile No15 as such (Part 1 - Chapter 21 Cluster Projectiles)
Cluster Projectile 750-lb. No. 15 Mk I (Service)
This has to do with the type of bomb carrier (racks) on which these projectiles were mounted.
These bomb carriers were defined by their maximal capaccity: 250lb, 500lb, 550lb, 1000lb, 2000lb

c6/10:
The Cluster No15 used fuze No42 - this fuze, also used for 4.5in reconnaissance flares, was equiped with various delay capsules in order to set the height of explosion
There were two groups of capsules; Type C No. C2 to C5 used when the fuze is required to function within 1,000 metres of the aircraft and the Type C No. C6 to No. C50; the numbers indicate the length in delay in seconds when functioned at close to ground level.
C6/10 would mean C6 or C10 capsule delays.
 
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