British 250 & 500 lb. Bomb schematics, as would have been used on early Typhoons?

MrSmoothie · Jun 23, 2023

I'm working on a 73" span Hawker Typhoon and want to work up a 3D print file for bombs, either the 250 or 500 lb. type used by the Brits. I've found a few schematics, and little dimensional information. I like the type with the perfect cylindrical mid-section (not continuous teardrop) and elongated fins (on the 250). Can anybody help? I can go by photos and scale drawings, but it never fails -- I no sooner do the design, then print and paint the articles, than the perfect source documentation emarges!

Attached are some photos -- sometimes it's hard for me to tell if they are 250 or 500 lb. type.

Wurger · Jun 23, 2023

Have you checked on the site ... ?

OP 1665 - British Ordnace: Contens

MrSmoothie · Jun 23, 2023

I have -- the closest thing I found on the the 250 is this, although the fins are different. Lacking anything better, I'd use those dimensions and go by photos.

OP 1665 - British Ordnance; Part1 - Aircraft Bombs and Pyrotechnics; Chapter 4: Medium Capacity Bombs: M.C. 250-lb. Mks I and II (Service)

This does look like a correct 1000 lb. Typhoon bomb, but was hoping for a proper 500.

OP 1665 - British Ordnance; Part1 - Aircraft Bombs and Pyrotechnics; Chapter 4: Medium Capacity Bombs: M.C. 1,000-lb. Mks I and II (Service)

Wurger · Jun 23, 2023

So you have to find the dimensions of the bomb tail No.26 Mk.III or the No.28 Mk.II then.

the pic source: the net.

MiTasol · Jun 23, 2023

There is also the possibility that they carried these - the RAF/RAAF/RNZAF version of the indicated American bombs which have both US and Brit suspension lugs - from RAAF 296 armourers notes Aug 43. This may be the parallel body bomb you are thinking of

MiTasol · Jun 23, 2023

Standard Brit 250 and 500lb Bombs from same pub.

elbmc1969 · Jun 29, 2023

Wurger said:
Have you checked on the site ... ?

OP 1665 - British Ordnace: Contens

There's a similar publication in color. I think it's a UK military publication. Available on the web, I know I downloaded it, not sure about title. Covers all explosive ordnance, hand grenades, shells, bombs?

Sorry, not particularly helpful, but it is out there.

MiTasol · Oct 21, 2024

Try this site British Ordnance Collectors Network

and also look for a copy of this manual - someone at BOCN may have it.

I am just about to post AP 1661B Bombs at Bomb manuals and other related documents and that has some details you may find helpful - like which tails were used with that bomb.

wuzak · Oct 21, 2024

Wurger said:
So you have to find the dimensions of the bomb tail No.26 Mk.III or the No.28 Mk.II then.

View attachment 726683
the pic source: the net.

MiTasol said:
Standard Brit 250 and 500lb Bombs from same pub. View attachment 726726

These are the British GP type bombs.

Would the Typhoon have been using them or the Medium Capacity (MC) type bombs, which had a higher charge-to-weight ratio?

MiTasol · Oct 21, 2024

But the British also use US bombs as per the AP Section 17 from memory and the AP also shows that most British and American bombs had hangers to suit both British and US bombs.

The OP was specific about parallel case bombs (I like the type with the perfect cylindrical mid-section (not continuous teardrop)) so that means the US bombs covered in AP 1661B

wuzak · Oct 22, 2024

MiTasol said:
But the British also use US bombs as per the AP Section 17 from memory and the AP also shows that most British and American bombs had hangers to suit both British and US bombs.

The OP was specific about parallel case bombs (I like the type with the perfect cylindrical mid-section (not continuous teardrop)) so that means the US bombs covered in AP 1661B

The British MC bombs fit that description too, the earlier GP bombs don't.

33k in the air · Nov 5, 2024

wuzak said:
These are the British GP type bombs.

Would the Typhoon have been using them or the Medium Capacity (MC) type bombs, which had a higher charge-to-weight ratio?

It's possible. There was a shortage of MC bombs in 1944 which resulted in Bomber Command expending a huge number of 500-lb GP bombs in 1944. The number dropped by year:

1939 = 000,029 x 500-lb GP
1940 = 020,106 x 500-lb GP
1941 = 065,341 x 500-lb GP
1942 = 029,482 x 500-lb GP | 000,636 x 500-lb MC
1943 = 013,659 x 500-lb GP | 032,519 x 500-lb MC
1944 = 395,641 x 500-lb GP | 238,362 x 500-lb MC
1945 = 027,076 x 500-lb GP | 131,235 x 500-lb MC

The shortage may have affected the bombs available to 2TAF.

British 250 & 500 lb. Bomb schematics, as would have been used on early Typhoons?

More options

MrSmoothie

Airman

Attachments

Wurger

Siggy Master

MrSmoothie

Airman

Wurger

Siggy Master

MiTasol

1st Lieutenant

MiTasol

1st Lieutenant

elbmc1969

Senior Airman

MiTasol

1st Lieutenant

wuzak

Captain

MiTasol

1st Lieutenant

wuzak

Captain

33k in the air

Staff Sergeant

Users who are viewing this thread

Similar threads