British Ordnance Collectors Network
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Bomb Tail - but which?
- Thread starter Anders
- Start date
Conical Fin Assembly (CFA) for "interim" bombs widely used in the late fifties and sixties by US & NATO etc..giving a "new life" to WW2 era GP and frag bombs:
100-lb. G.P. Bomb AN-M30A1 with Fin Assembly M135
250-lb. G.P. Bomb AN-M57A1 with Fin Assembly M126
500-lb GP Bomb AN-M64 with Fin Assembly M126A1
500-lb. G.P. Bomb AN-M64A1 with Fin Assembly M128
1000-lb. G.P. Bomb AN-M65A1 with Fin Assembly M129
2000-lb. G.P. Bomb AN-M66A2 with Fin Assembly M116
260lb Frag AN-M81 with Fin Assembly M135
220lb Frag AN-M88 with Fin Assembly M135
Also produced in the early 60s in France by Matra and in Israel by IMI
The fin length of the M135 was 29 in = 73.66 cm
The fin length of the M126 was 30.8 in = 78.23 cm
The fin length of the M126A1 was 32.7 in = 83.06 cm
The fin length of the M129 was 46.5 in = 118.11 cm
The fin length of the M130 was 59.8 in = 151.89 cm
Therefore 85 cm will be most probably a M126A1 Conical Fin Assembly for a modified 500lb AN-M64
If you could get a measure of the fin span this would enable confirmation of the identification:
The M126A1 has a fin span of 19.56 in = 49.68cm.
For illustration this is a Dutch (NATO) AN-M65A1 with M129 Conical Fin Assembly. The attachment method is quite characteristic, as are the shape of the rear edge of the fins and the presence of a "pressed border" on the lateral and rear edges of the fins reflecting the way these fins are manufactured.
100-lb. G.P. Bomb AN-M30A1 with Fin Assembly M135
250-lb. G.P. Bomb AN-M57A1 with Fin Assembly M126
500-lb GP Bomb AN-M64 with Fin Assembly M126A1
500-lb. G.P. Bomb AN-M64A1 with Fin Assembly M128
1000-lb. G.P. Bomb AN-M65A1 with Fin Assembly M129
2000-lb. G.P. Bomb AN-M66A2 with Fin Assembly M116
260lb Frag AN-M81 with Fin Assembly M135
220lb Frag AN-M88 with Fin Assembly M135
Also produced in the early 60s in France by Matra and in Israel by IMI
The fin length of the M135 was 29 in = 73.66 cm
The fin length of the M126 was 30.8 in = 78.23 cm
The fin length of the M126A1 was 32.7 in = 83.06 cm
The fin length of the M129 was 46.5 in = 118.11 cm
The fin length of the M130 was 59.8 in = 151.89 cm
Therefore 85 cm will be most probably a M126A1 Conical Fin Assembly for a modified 500lb AN-M64
If you could get a measure of the fin span this would enable confirmation of the identification:
The M126A1 has a fin span of 19.56 in = 49.68cm.
For illustration this is a Dutch (NATO) AN-M65A1 with M129 Conical Fin Assembly. The attachment method is quite characteristic, as are the shape of the rear edge of the fins and the presence of a "pressed border" on the lateral and rear edges of the fins reflecting the way these fins are manufactured.
Last edited:
Hi DreamK and Hazord,
Thank you for your reply's so far.
The diameter at the opening is 34cm (13.38 in). The fin span is 50cm (19.68 in) which is very close to the measurement of 49.68 in (49,68cm), and the length of the fins are 83.06 cm (32.7 in) as provided by DreamK.
Would it be fairly safe to conclude that it is a M126A1 for a 500-lb GP Bomb AN-M64 then?
Thank you for your reply's so far.
The diameter at the opening is 34cm (13.38 in). The fin span is 50cm (19.68 in) which is very close to the measurement of 49.68 in (49,68cm), and the length of the fins are 83.06 cm (32.7 in) as provided by DreamK.
Would it be fairly safe to conclude that it is a M126A1 for a 500-lb GP Bomb AN-M64 then?