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M139 GB bomblet

pzgr40

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
A M139 chemical bomblet, as used in American long range -guided- misslises in the 60’s and 70’s of the last century.
The M139 has a spherical bomblet constructed from aluminium. The outer spherical surface has six vanes that cause the bomblet to rotate when released from the missile’s warhead. The M912 all ways fuze is armed by this spin at appr.1800 rpm. The body of the bomblet is constructed of two hemispheres to facilitate the loading of the fuze and the 72,5 grams RDX burster charge. The two halves are held together with a stainless steel clamp ring.

The chemical load of the M139 : 0,59 kg (1.3 pounds) GB (Sarin) nervegas
Total weight of the M139 : 1,09 kg (2.4 pounds)
Diameter : 114,3mm (4.5 “)

329 pcs M139 were packed in the warhead of the M212 Sergant missile.
368 pcs M139 were packed in the warhead of the M190 Honest John Rocket.
52 pcs M139 were packed in the warhead of the M206 Little Honest John.

This particular bomblet came from a test series. It was originally filled with glycerine, the bursting charge was replaced by an inert block; only the fuze and it’s booster were live. The fuze functioned ... blowing the spherical plates outward, crumbling the fuze. The landing must have been quite rough too, damaging the vanes and breaking off one of the two “knobs”. Probably to avoid future panic while cleaning ancient test area’s, one had also descided to punch four square holes in the upper and lower halves to enshure everybody would understand these are absolutely empty.
I had no choice as to restore just the outer shell, cutting it will wreck it.

Considering the fact these are quite rare pieces to obtain, not a bad catch.

Regards, DJH
 

Attachments

  • M139 complete and M139 cutaway model.JPG
    M139 complete and M139 cutaway model.JPG
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  • 2x M139 , different types.JPG
    2x M139 , different types.JPG
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  • M139 cutaway model.JPG
    M139 cutaway model.JPG
    89.9 KB · Views: 30
  • M139 in lance warhead.jpg
    M139 in lance warhead.jpg
    72.3 KB · Views: 29
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