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4.5-in Skymorker Flare No. I Mks I, II, and III (Service) |
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Filler and Weight | ||
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| NA, | |||
| Body and Overall Weight | |||
| NA, 28 lb. (approx.) | |||
| Color | |||
| Black over-all; red band near nose | |||
| Type of Round, DODIC | |||
| Skymorker Flare, NA |
| Description: |
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| A flash hole in the diaphragm is covered by a paper disc .and gives access to a "powder-puff" consisting of a primed cambric bag containing gunpowder. The powder puff is secured to a perforated disc. Its purpose is, with the aid of the perforated disc, to eject the candle unit and parachute from the flare body and to ignite the flare candle. The candle unit comprises a steel container closed at the top by a lid and at the bottom by a dished washer. In the container is a magnesium alloy candle body containing a small quantity of gunpowder, some priming composition, and a quantity of incendiary composition the hole in the washer is closed by a primed cambric disc. The candle unit is held in place in the flare body by a feltwasher, felt strips, and three wooden slats. The slats extend beyond the top of the candle unit and the closing dome, and, when the flare is activated, push off the closing dome to permit the candle unit and parachute to move out of the flare body. A shackle attached to the lid connects the candle unit to the suspension nope of the parachute. |
| Use: |
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| The flare has a tubular body containing the candle unit and the Parachute Mk V. The tail end of the body is dosed by a closing dome, and has four tail fins attached. The nose end of the body is closed by a diaphragm to which a bush is secured. The transit plug or the nose fuze is screwed into this bush. |
| Functioning: |
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| When the fused flare is released from the aircraft, the fuze is set in operation, and the flare falls freely until the magazine charge explodes. The flash from the charge passes through the flash hole in the diaphragm and ignites the powder puff. The gases formed by the burning of the gunpowder in the puff ex¬ert pressure on the under side of the perforated disc, forcing the candle unit toward the closing dome so that the wooden slats push off the dome, The candle unit and parachute are ejected from the flare body. The flash from the puff passes through the holes in the perforated disc to ignite the primed cambric disc and the gunpowder at the nose of the candle. The gunpowder ignites the priming composition, which in turn ignites the incendiary composition. As the incendiary composition burns, the magnesium alloy candle body also burns, and pieces of the burning candle fall away, giving the appearance of a vertical chain of white lights in the sky. |
| Munition Components: |
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| Data Source: |
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| OP 1665 Explosive Ordnance British |
| Munitions Tech Data Sheet: |
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