There was a “push” control on the elevator activated by the timer (controlled by the propeller on the front of the bomb). Often this “push” caused a temporary cut in fuel flow (low pressurisation of fuel tanks didn’t counteract this), which would cause the engine to cut. This had an adverse effect as originally it was hoped the bomb would penetrate the ground before exploding which would bring down buildings – with the engine cutting, momentum was lost to an extent which meant the bombs tended to explode o the surface. Therefore although less buildings were brought down than intended, the blast wave did tend to kill by percussion so the same desired outcome was achieved.
FB
Later versions did depress the elevators more slowly to minimise the effects of negative g on the fuel flow and prevent the engine cutting out. This is mentioned on page 157 of the ‘The Secret War’ by Brian Johnson, BBC Publications 1978 (companion book to the BBC TV series of the same name).
Sign In
