Russian 1941 Aircraft Bomb

Firstly thank you for your time.

The photograph does not show it clearly – but it does read as ММ – ВЯ – 41 there is an – and no 0 in front of the 41 ( just double checked with magnifying lens). The O in the photo is an artefact of the bad light in my office….

Hmmm.. difficult to make that out. I think I see ММ – ВЯ – 41 ? Is that correct? It certainly looks like a factory stamp, and thus one would guess that “41” is the year. But, if there is a “0” in front of the 41 (e.g. “-041”), I would plumb for a different interpretation…

Tricky. I can only add that Pir’ev and Raznichenko describe a host of developments to the ZAB series during 1941. Perhaps in all that work there could have been odd fins in use at one of the locations? I really don’t know, sorry to say. A nice item, however, whatever the case.

Attached is a photo of the markings on the upper case.

The assumption by the original seller is that the 41 relates to year of manufacture.

Any information to contradict or support is much appreciated. The truth is usually more interesting than fiction.

Are there any markings on the bomb suggesting the date 1941?

Pir’ev and Raznichenko’s official history of VVS bombs includes three drawings for examples of the ZAB-50: 1937, 1938 (as per Flyer’s post), and 1942. The latter of these have the same fins, as shown; they do not match the fin arrangement on your specimen (as does neither the 1937 example).

That, to my mind, raises questions about its date. The two authors note that a version of this munition was manufactured and in use “almost without modification” into the 1970s.

As well, I might just mention that the ZAB family were in no way related to– nor derived from– the FAB series of bombs, but in fact a wholly seperate and distinct line of munitions. Wartime ZABs were available up to 500 kg in size.

Dan I have seen an arming vane for sale. If it is the same one as you have seen — looking at the size of the thread it is quite a small piece for the value – assuming it was universal for the 50 kg and larger bombs. Still thinking about it!

The wire – is for a 100W bulb inside the bomb. There was a very large hole in the top casting that I have refilled with clear polyester resin.

As my office is the old farm dairy it is relatively cold and dark in here in winter. The bomb is used as a lamp and low wattage heater!

What’s the wire for going into the base of the bomb case? I have seen a fuze arming vaine for sale like the one in the cad drawing which would probably fit yours.

Thats the chap!

Thank you.

I wondered whether the tail fins have been cut back or whether it was another variant.

The welded seams are still present – just ground back a little.

The front of the nose cone had been melted when it struck the ground and the contents ignited and burnt the steel away to leave a large ragged hole.

Under the harness strap – the top nose cone unscrews.

I have this beast that I bought and derusted/repainted about 6 months ago.

I cannot find an image of the bomb in use in any searches so far.

It is a 50 kg bomb and was supposedly a flammable contents bomb.

A derivative of the FAB 50.

Has anyone any further details of this type of ordnance in use by the Russians?

I know that they should leave been painted a grey/black or rusty steel in original use.

This bomb looks very similar to WW2 Russian ZAB-50tg fire bomb:

This bomb has solid flammable composition inside.

The title under drawing says:

Aircraft Fire Bomb
with solid flammable substance
ZAB-50tg Code 7-Z-251
technical drawing 3-0445 (year 1938)