Target indicator

[pzgr40]

Today I was in an ammo museum where they have a 250 lbs target indicator. I would like to know what the texts on the bomb means, but especially the text 'with shoes'
Who knows?
Thanks in advance,
Regards,DJH

 

[TimG]

BR 229/154 SB 36454
BR is ROF Bridgend, no idea as to the rest of the line

250 LBS TARGET MARKER
This is the nominal weight (see more below) although called a Target Marker they were subsequently known as Target Indicators (T.I.s)

SR 586 YELLOW Mk II
SR 586 a pyrotechnic composition "Superintendent Research" No 586 - Magnessium powder, Lithographic varnish and Sodium Nitrate. Yellow the colour of the candle.

BR 4/43 20,20,20 DELAY
BR is ROF Bridgend. April 1943 filling date. This is a very early example. The first operational use of T.I.s was 16th June 1943 against Berlin. There were at least 30 different variations of fillings for the T.I.s. Some held 60 candles and from the 20,20,20 one presumes this was one of them. Whereas most candles ignited on being ejected from the carrier, giving a cascade effect, there were also "Delay" candles. The Delay candles would ignite several minutes after ejection. It might be that this example had 40 standard and 20 delay candles.

LOT 2
Second Lot.

WITH SHOES 218 LBS
No idea as to "With Shoes" However, although described as a 250lb bomb, the book weight is 220lbs, so this must be a slightly underweight bomb and whatever "Shoes" are, they contribute to the overall weight.

Latter bombs were to be marked with "Serial Number of Bomb" three times, equally spaced around the nose. This was not a serial number in the conventional sense but more of a method of filling so that one could tell what it was loaded with.

TimG

 

[pzgr40]

Thank you very much for the quick and clear awnsers Tim.

 

[tigbrand]

Here's the data plate off one. I found some custard powder to highlight the stamps! Cheers Tig.

 

[PETERTHEEATER]

iN THE MID 1960'S I was with RAF Bomb Disposal working out of RAF Bicester. One of our low-priority tasks was the clearance of Ot Moor, located to the east of Oxford City, which had been a Practice Bombing Range in WW2.

We found that it had also been used as an 'excercise, and 'jettison' area when coming across scores of 250lb TIs both burned out and UXB. Also hundreds of 4 pound Incendiary bombs scores of which were UXB.

Ot Moor is near worthless for agriculture being low-lying and boggy supporting only sheep grazing, consequently heavy bombs went deep out of range of our locators but light stuff near the surface.

I am attaching a couple of pics of 250 lb TI recovery one of scores. All Nose Fuuzed with 860 series barometric. Hitting hard ground after fuctioning at selected height the actuated fuze would usually snap off but on soft ground it stayed in situ.

I have no idea what the stencil marking 'shoes' refers to. There was a bewildering number of variations in Marks and Candle Colours for the 2500 TI. Some hhad a castiron weight in the nose to restore C of G with certain candle loads.

 

[Bombdoc]

... serious Quiff there mate!


..just sayin