Welcome to the Inert Ordnance WW1, WW2 | information,sales,wanted,photos,forum and more.
+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 22
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Sussex
    Posts
    79
    Thanks
    Thanked 7 Times in 3 Posts

    Aircraft Destruction Mechanisms

    At the risk of repeating a question asked on an earlier thread (which I'm sure I've seen on here before but cant find), does anybody know anything (or point me to the earlier thread!) about self destruct charges fitted to either axis or allied aircraft during WW2. Obviously potential hazards when working on aircraft wreck recoveries would include ordnance, pyrotechnics and ammunition, but were any actual self destruct charges fitted to aircraft to enable them to be destoyed by the crew if they crash landed in enemy territory? In addition to the hazards mentioned above, cable cutting charges could also be added (perhaps not commonly thought about). I believe that at least 16 of these were fitted to Lancaster wing leading edges!
    Any help much appreciated!
    Cheers
    Mark

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    575
    Thanks
    Thanked 20 Times in 13 Posts
    Mark,

    The Lancaster was definitely fitted with a switch on the underside so that if the aircraft was abandoned in flight and made a belly landing the aircraft would be destroyed. Also, some radio equipment e.g. H2S, were sometimes fitted with small charges to facilitate their destruction and prevent their falling into enemy hands.

    Contact PeterG, he dealt with an accident many years back where someone was injured playing with some surplus RAF comms equipment.

    Regards

    Tim

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Posts
    1,780
    Thanks
    Thanked 104 Times in 75 Posts

    Destruction devices

    I have details somewhere, I think in an Enemy Ammunition pamphlet, of the Italian aircraft destruction device. I will try to find and post it.

    Although not what you asked, I have details of the WWI British destruction charge carried on aircraft. The instructions for use conclude with the very astute "Run away"!

    Regards
    TonyE
    Researcher, collector and pedant
    British military small arms and ammunition.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Illinois U.S.
    Posts
    3,951
    Images
    65
    Thanks
    Thanked 12 Times in 10 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by TimG View Post
    Mark,

    The Lancaster was definitely fitted with a switch on the underside so that if the aircraft was abandoned in flight and made a belly landing the aircraft would be destroyed. Also, some radio equipment e.g. H2S, were sometimes fitted with small charges to facilitate their destruction and prevent their falling into enemy hands.

    Contact PeterG, he dealt with an accident many years back where someone was injured playing with some surplus RAF comms equipment.

    Regards

    Tim
    Hi Tim, Sure glad you clarified "abandoned in flight" as I would sure hate to think that there would be a self destruct mechanism that might go off during a routine "crash landing"...............Dano
    Dano1917
    Visit my grenade and ordnance club at
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/grenadeandordnance/
    WWI COLLECTOR
    I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    575
    Thanks
    Thanked 20 Times in 13 Posts
    Just looked at an abridged owner's manual for the Lancaster, there were two incendiary bombs located on the forward face of the forward spar for use in the destruction of the aircraft.

    TimG

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Sussex
    Posts
    79
    Thanks
    Thanked 7 Times in 3 Posts
    Tim/Tony thanks for your info!

    Dano - yes I think you are right - the idea of flying around in aircraft, full of petrol and explosives would not have been made any easier with a built in self destruct mechanism!

    Cheers

    Mark

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Netherlands
    Posts
    137
    Thanks
    Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
    In some type of radio and navigation equipment of British bombers have been build small explosive devises to destroy these equipment. Several different models have been used. On type that have been used as a explosive destruction devise is 100 mm long and 19 mm in diameter with in red the text Detonator or No. D64 Mk I.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Ohio, US of A.
    Posts
    1,271
    Images
    6
    Thanks
    Thanked 24 Times in 17 Posts
    The U-2 that was shot down over Russia with Gary Powers flying it had a self destruct button inside. But this was in the very early 1960's. So I guess it does'nt belong. My apoligies.
    Last edited by V40; 3rd September 2010 at 04:07 PM.
    V40
    Mark
    MACVSOG Living Historian"
    SOG weaponery and Ordnance Historian

    any live ordnance shown in my posts was dealt with accordingly by trained qualified professionals

    "Never start a fight that you can't win with everything you have right now" By Sergeant Joe Walker, 10 (One-Zero) of RT California, Vietnam.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    London
    Posts
    662
    Thanks
    Thanked 94 Times in 52 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by khanmak View Post
    Tim/Tony thanks for your info!

    Dano - yes I think you are right - the idea of flying around in aircraft, full of petrol and explosives would not have been made any easier with a built in self destruct mechanism!

    Cheers

    Mark
    Mark,

    Not in the category of 'self destruct' but in 1943 there were three hand operated incendiaries for the destruction of aircraft in the RAF:
    1. A variation of the 1 1/4 lb Incendiary (brasso tin)
    2. Destructor Incendiary No 2 Petroleum gel for the destruction of gliders
    3. US Grenade AN-M14

    A special charge was produed by the SOE technical people for the destruction of the Eureka-Rebecca equipment in aircraft.
    N.


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Belgium
    Posts
    699
    Thanks
    Thanked 28 Times in 25 Posts

    Aircraft demolition charge

    Oups, the only charge I've found is german and of WW I ! Sorry for the quality.

    Yoda
    Attached Images
    Any live or dug ordnance presented by me has been disposed of by EOD technicians.


 

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts