FYI, post WW II, from my Lightnng experiences, Gun Camera magazines would be changed by any engineering tradesman involved in the flight servicing of the ac. Gun cameras were periodically harmonised by the armourers to ensure they pointed where they were needed!

Keith Sowter posted this very interesting item on Norwich Spotters earlier showing a practise over Norfolk today …..

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NorwichSpotters/message/8320

I saw them too, about 15 secs later (from Old Buckenham). From what I saw, I half expect to see them practising again today!
🙁

I think that most wartime bombs had chemical fuses, which is why they are becoming more unstable as time goes on.
G.

Not true. Most UK bombs were fuzed by mechanical methods (pistols and detonators) which function like a firing pin hitting a percussion cap. Some delayed action systems would be based on acetone dissolving celluloid washers after impact to release the striker. As for German fuzes, they were generally divided into impact action and delayed – delayed being either electrical (capacitor powered) or clockwork. As for moving fuzed UXBs in this day and age, generally one would expect the main explosive filling to be removed first to reduce any risk.

As far as I remember, we only acquired it when we purchased the F-4K/M, and only as the AIM-9P which went on to be used by the Harrier Jaguar and eventually Tornado GRs as a last line of defence, prior to that we had Lightnings with Firestreak and Red Top only!!

Tim S

Don’t ever remember the AIM-9P in service! My recollections start with the 9B, thro’ 9G to 9L only. Loaded and stored enough of them to remember quite well! I also seem to recall that the UK 9L was “altered” by the UK to improve it. Also remember seeing an GCS working at Boscombe Down in the early 60’s.

They tried some form of rocket assisted takeoff system (RATO?, JATO? – somebody will know)

It was RATO and has always stuck in my mind since I saw it demonstrated at Farnborough in the mid/late 50s. I seem to recall that I was young then!

H

Mk 10 is standard freefall
Mk 18 is retard version
Mk 20 has airburst fuzing – possibly retard version
Mk 13 is probably low drag with airburst

Not true! All are the same shape and almost the same weight (1000lb). Slight weight variations result from different fillings and insulation etc; all are interchangeable as such and the role is decided by fuzes and tail units. However 10s are Naval surplus (ex early-Buccaneer fuzing system) and should be in very limited stock (if any left) 13 and 18s should have been phased out. 20s and 22s are the later variants whilst 15s are concrete filled for practice (have been used in earnest to prevent collateral damage.
:).

PS, SDB is a freefall bomb per se and should not be compared to Brimstone