Armourers required to identify this please

It's self-identified:). It is a Tail Unit for a post-war bomb. The multi vane rotor on the back end was removable by pressing the centre pin and sliding it off the shaft. The rotor spun the shaft as the bomb fell from the aircraft and a 'fork' on the opposite end armed the bomb pistol ready for striking a detonator on impact. Obviously its main function was to stabilise the bomb as it fell.Some versions could have a DDA fitted (Device, Delay Arming) which was a clockwork escapement preventing the arming shaft from rotating until the bomb had dropped a safe distance away from the aircraft. The latter much used on V- Bombers and Canberra aircraft.

That version, I think, was for external carriage on fighter bombers. Superplum may add more.

PETERTHEEATER;138754 wrote:

It's self-identified:). It is a Tail Unit for a post-war bomb. The multi vane rotor on the back end was removable by pressing the centre pin and sliding it off the shaft. The rotor spun the shaft as the bomb fell from the aircraft and a 'fork' on the opposite end armed the bomb pistol ready for striking a detonator on impact. Obviously its main function was to stabilise the bomb as it fell.Some versions could have a DDA fitted (Device, Delay Arming) which was a clockwork escapement preventing the arming shaft from rotating until the bomb had dropped a safe distance away from the aircraft. The latter much used on V- Bombers and Canberra aircraft.

That version, I think, was for external carriage on fighter bombers. Superplum may add more.

Nice one PTE! All I dare add is that the 107 was, as stated, mainly used by the V and Canberra force for ballistic (freefall) use. Later fast-jets used the 114 which, in the main, appeared identical but was stronger because of the additional stresses encountered and also catered for the fuzing electrical supply (no pistols unless you were Navy).

Then the 114 must have been installed on the Mk 10 1000 pound Bomb with the EL Fuzing pockets?

And here's the 107 being prepared for DDA fitment in a Missile Preparation Shed (new name for a Fuzing Point shed) at RAAF Butterworth 1961. I'm on the camera.



Just realised that was over fifty years ago!

Note how we tidy Armourers kept our shoes shiny despite the toil!

PETERTHEEATER;138788 wrote:

Then the 114 must have been installed on the Mk 10 1000 pound Bomb with the EL Fuzing pockets?

Occasionally but, because the fast-jets did relatively little medium level work, 117's (retarded) were mostly used. Mk10's were not plentiful but were consumed in lieu of disposal. The fuzing pockets, being different sizes and needing N1/N2 adaptors, required a little "work" with a wooden drift and hammer to push the EL connector backwards to make space.

Call those shoes clean?