B1 tails

[kahu1]

A cluster of B1 incendiary tails recently added to the collection(I'm working on cornering the NZ market!).

Only one seems to have the original paint(burnt) , another is in a nice 'deco' style scheme(?) and an odd 6 finned one.

See pics for comparison,can anyone ID this 6 finned one?
Body is assembled by folded tabs instead of the usual spot welding,the fin band is hexagonal around the fins.



cheers,
Bob

 

[kiwieod]

nice,i used to own one myself.i know where there are some complete ones for sale right here in nz(not cheap though!)

 

[Dreamk]

The 6 finned one is most probably a 1kg French incendiary with C3 tail ( "bombe baton incendiaires de 1 kg")
There were 4 types of French 1 kg incendiary, distinguished only by the shape of their tail, all being re-used by the Germans in large numbers after fall of France)


Here's a photo of a similar 1kg French Incendiary Bomb dropped by Luftwaffe on Reigate area


and of an earlier model (C/C1 tail) also re-used by the German:


and these, repainted in original French colors (the red must be darker than that BTW):

 

[kahu1]

Thanks Dreamk,

Definitely looks to be the French type,same construction and the 2 pins per section are there.

Though the fin band is hexagonal, doesn't look to be forced,is that a variation?

Bob

 

[Weasel]

Here is a picture of a French 1kg with original paint,
Best regards Weasel.

 

[kiwieod]

i think this boy has found all your tails!

 

[Rockteer]

Kiwieod, Lovely photo!! bet he speaks with a plumb in his mouth!

Dan

 

[Dreamk]

Though the fin band is hexagonal, doesn't look to be forced,is that a variation?

I have checked among my documentation and have not found any mention of an hexagonal fin band, however such a variation would have been logical for bombs that were intended to be delivered through the use of the "paquetage Gardy" container.