Heinkel 111 Bomb release gear

There are certainly features about this that don’t look right, I agree.

Certainly, the protruding ‘fuse’ is a worry, although I’m not even sure it is a fuse but perhaps a lookey-likey something or other that doesn’t fit the fuse pocket?

The screw-in suspension lug (bent) looks ok in the close-ups I’ve seen, as do the fins. But, something isn’t right.

Thanks Rocketeer.

Great pics. Never thought the fuse plug mechanism was that sophisticated. I can see how the weight of the bomb releasing would easily detach from the plug in horizontal position say in a JU88. But a HE111 in the vertical position wonder if it was the same type bomb release mechanism.

Tangmere. Thanks for posting the pics.

I wonder if this example may have been for show or training purpose’s, the casing looks a bit to smooth for a real bomb usually the bomb castings were very rough looking on the outside. And as said the fuse pocket was always flush with the side of the bomb casing. Never seen one with a bulb thingy on the nose.

Always interested in WW2 German bombs, release mechanisms, and fuses. So any info, UXB stories, pics would be fantastic guys. :eagerness:

Beware of this one, the proportians look very wrong to me, the screw in bulb on the end is correct, this is a plug to fill a screw thread that would take a nose lifting eye (as used in the He111 vertical bomb racks). The tail fin looks original but cut down to fit the bomb, the way it attached is not correct, the case however looks like a modified steel tube, the fuse pocket should not be proud like in the photo, looks to me it is an original fuze pocket forced into a dummy case, as Andy points out the way the tail is attached is also not right. I have four of these little 50’s both Sc and Sd and also a Sc 250 Twin Fuze pocket.

No tease!

I have your e-mail on other unrelated stuff – will be in touch.

The only pic I have of this, but a couple of things I’m not sure of. The fuse seems to be proud of the fuse pocket and I cannot work out the brown bulbous bit that seems to be on the nose. Something that I cannot put my finger on relating to the fin/bomb joint, too.

You little tease Tangers!!! 🙂

Like this one, Rocketeer…..?:)

(currently residing in France)

The photos below show a tatty bomb unit from the Ju88 that came down in Portsmouth Harbour. Also is a mint unit. Unfortunately the plates had been removed. I had some from the Folly Farm Ju88 so popped those on. The extendable arm for the fuser is shown. It is clipped on to the fuse head ‘groove’ by two sprung wires. Hope this helps. I have part of a clockwork fuse I would love to identify. My hope is to get a 50Kg bomb or part of a bomb to pop a fuse into

Adrian….in answer to your question; yes, you probably are! 🙂

You know, if you had one of those going spare, you could make the perfect mobile fish and chip van for airshows from it!

Surely I’m not the only person who looks at those bomb cells and sees a row of old-fashioned coal-fired deep fat fryers?*

Adrian

*Actually, I probably am, but I don’t care.

Type 17. Hmmm Clockwork fuse. Hope the gane is not attached. The later type 17’s were fitted with a Zus 40 anti tamper device before the gane, meant for the poor chap defusing it. Love to see some pics.

I think mine is type 17.

The bomb arming ‘arm’ and socket came from a chap who worked at 49MU on wreck recovery in 1940/41.

Thanks Andy that helps a great deal. Brilliant photo not seen that one before. I can only assume that the plug in to the bomb must have been like a spring loaded bayonet arrangement having not seen one. I wondered if the plug would have been damaged on being released side ways. Be great if you can post any pics of the actual plug mechanism into the bomb when you have time. Oh love to see a pic of the bomb fuse you have I am into UXB’s as well. Is it Type 15, 17, 25, or 50?:eagerness:

Somewhere I have a photograph of the electrical socket on its arm that simply plugged into the top of the fuse on the side of the bomb and, I believe, just pulled off on release. In a box, hidden away, I have an example of the fusing-arm, and a fuse, but in this photo the fusing arms are hidden in the bomb cells but some of the associated wiring can be seen. (This is in He 111 W.Nr 6853)

Hope this helps just a little?

Afterthought: I’m sure I saw some of the fusing arms visible in images of the recovered Goodwin Sands Do 17 if you can find the time to plough through them! It was a flatish round plug, with a lip/flange either side, and two electrical contacts that contacted the fuse. The ‘plug’ is on a flexible and extendable alloy arm.