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WWI to 1930's U.S. Bombs and other small bombs
- Thread starter HAZORD
- Start date
On the US 1930's bomb note, does anyone have any good pictures or dimensions of the US MKI MIV 100lb demolition bomb and the Mk I MII 300 demolition bomb. I have seen pictures of B-10s dropping them and have seen very small line drawings in a 1970's model magazine. I was thinking about trying to fabricate a couple. Has anyone every actually seen or own either?
DEADLINE222
Well-Known Member
Are you talking about the Mark 100 pound high capacity demolition bomb?
I have two in my collection, but no images on hand, nor have I properly painted them. Basically they look exactly like the 25 and 50 pound Mark bombs, just scaled up.
Other than size, the differences found on the 100 pound size are the two horizontal suspension lugs, and the single verticle suspension lug; which was also the fill cap.
100 pound Mark bombs also had their fins braced when they were upgraded to the Mark M series -and the casings contained no longitudnal welds.
Here are some other images:
I have two in my collection, but no images on hand, nor have I properly painted them. Basically they look exactly like the 25 and 50 pound Mark bombs, just scaled up.
Other than size, the differences found on the 100 pound size are the two horizontal suspension lugs, and the single verticle suspension lug; which was also the fill cap.
100 pound Mark bombs also had their fins braced when they were upgraded to the Mark M series -and the casings contained no longitudnal welds.
Here are some other images:
DEADLINE222
Well-Known Member
Here is an awesome example of an original Mark III, 50 pound bomb's one inch wide, center of gravity stripe with manufacturer information.
To add to the confusion Mark series bombs were at one time either know by their size or Mark number.
In my reading, I have seen both forms of nomenclature for the 50 pound bomb:
"Mark 50 pound high capacity demolition bomb"
Or....
"Mark III, 50 pound high capacity demolition bomb"
To add to the confusion Mark series bombs were at one time either know by their size or Mark number.
In my reading, I have seen both forms of nomenclature for the 50 pound bomb:
"Mark 50 pound high capacity demolition bomb"
Or....
"Mark III, 50 pound high capacity demolition bomb"
DEADLINE222
Well-Known Member
Recently, I finally added a Mark II, 25 pound high capacity demolition bomb to my collection.
I fabricated the nose fill plug as well as the arming wire guide.
According to "America's Munitions 1916-1918" these bombs were made exclusively by the Marlin-Rockwell Corperation in New York City, New York, and my specimen is painted to reflect that. Durring World War 1, the 25 pound bombs were found to be too small for demolition work and were consigned to the practice bomb roll. An acurate white, blue banded practice version is pictured above.
I fabricated the nose fill plug as well as the arming wire guide.
According to "America's Munitions 1916-1918" these bombs were made exclusively by the Marlin-Rockwell Corperation in New York City, New York, and my specimen is painted to reflect that. Durring World War 1, the 25 pound bombs were found to be too small for demolition work and were consigned to the practice bomb roll. An acurate white, blue banded practice version is pictured above.
Actually you are very close! The bomb that I am talking about actually replaced the 100lb bomb you are talking about. According to the information that I have been able to find, the 100lb bomb listed as the MK I MIV basically used the same casing as the 100lb bomb you show above but used fins very similar to those seen on WWII American bombs. I think the model book that showed the picture was called Replica and was published in 1973. I also saw the bomb in an aircraft ordnance tech manual on ebay ( I did not win that auction) that dated to 1940/41. There is also a picture of these bombs being loaded from a bomb trailer into a B-17c/d early in WWII. I just wish I had a picture to post...
As for the standard 100lb bomb you show, I have not been able to find one yet to add to my collection but hope to someday. I do have a 50lb version that I have not repainted yet.
Thanks for responding to the post. Hopefully we will be able to track down a picture..
As for the standard 100lb bomb you show, I have not been able to find one yet to add to my collection but hope to someday. I do have a 50lb version that I have not repainted yet.
Thanks for responding to the post. Hopefully we will be able to track down a picture..
DEADLINE222
Well-Known Member
I am possitive you are refering to the Modified Mark Series of demolition bombs. This was an unsuccessful program to bring the old Mark Series up to AN specifications. We have discussed this type on another thread, and pictures of this type are rare. I have yet to see an example in the flesh.
Even though this is a tread about WWI through 1930's bombs, the subject of newer fin designs raises a similar question. I have always kept an eye out for the conical fins that were designed to upgrade the U.S. WWII bombs to a more aerodynamic design, I assume for delivery by the new jet planes that were used in Korea and later Vietnam. So far, I haven't ever had an opportunity to even see any of these conical fins, let alone obtain any. Has anyone else out there seen any of these fins?
DEADLINE222
Well-Known Member
I see them all the time, yet they never seem to be in my price range. They look like very thin conical fins used on the M117 and MK80 series, but they lack any internal bracing. There was a pair of them on Ebay awhile back, for $400.00 if I remember correctly. I may have a picture.......