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Could left fuze on the photo be a No.37 fuze without anti-removal device? I have been reading about these fuzes produced since 1944. but I have never had the honor to meet an example.
In documentation(US navy bomb disposal school British bombs and fuze's 1944) I found; the MkI did not have anti-withdrawal device and was declared obsolete Mk II was also obsolete soon after introduction, no further information, Mk III incorporated anti-withdrawal and arming screw had left hand thread, Mk IV right hand thread, Mk IV* and V are the same as Mk IV but have blotting paper to indicate a broken ampule. So there was a No 37 (the Mk I version) without anti-withdrawal device!
I think I do not really understand; so the left one on the top picture is an official and existing type; It's not a normal No.37 with the Spring and locking balls removed and a different bottom screw, but a factory manufactured type.
Why was it not replaced by a No.53 straight away.
DJH, I think you make a crucial thinking error. It is not the locking-balls, rubber friction-band and spring and so on were removed but they were added later in the Mk III and further. when you take this way of thinking in account it makes more sense. And the Mk I and II were declared obsolete before 1944!
I am familiar with both 37 and 53 designs, and essential difference between these two types is in the length of the delay. No.37 6-144 hrs, No.53 30-60 min. Generally due to much shorter time of delay No.53 did not require anti-removal device. My question was whether anyone can confirm that No.37 was produced w/o anti-removal device or modified in such way.
I did some homework last night and found Sir Arthur Harris's notes on these fuzes.
The fuze on the left in the first post looks to be Mk4** or Mk5* which, according to my docs, would be a post war modification with antiremoval device deactivated.
Bob
No Mk number (no anti withdrawal)) late 1940
Mk I (no anti withdrawal) 1941/2
Mk II (anti withdrawal) 1941/2
Mk III (anti withdrawal) 1941/2
Mk IV (anti withdrawal fitted or removed by modification) 1942- 1945
Mk IV* (anti withdrawal fitted or removed by modification) 1942- 1945
Mk V (anti withdrawal fitted or removed by modification) 1942- 1945
Mk IV** (no anti withdrawal) 1945-1949 = converted Mk IV*
Mk V* (no anti withdrawal) 1945-1949 = converted Mk V
Mk VI (no anti withdrawal) 1945-1949 = manufactured to modified design
Mk VII (anti withdrawal) 1949-1958
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