Description
This flare was developed specifically for night antisubmarine warfare.
This flare is the same us the Navy Flare Mk 4, except that the overall length is two inches shorter and the illuminant in the Mod 0 and Mod 1 has a 90 second delay fuse through its center or a 120 second delay fuse in the Mod 2.
Functioning
This flare is similar to the Navy Flare Mk 4, except that when the ignition wire attached to the suspension cable is pulled, it pulls the friction wires in the Ensign Bickford fuse igniter, igniting the delay fuse running through the center of the illuminant. When the parachute opens, the illuminant is pulled out of the flare case, and the flare case falls away. The sudden shock caused by the opening of the parachute is taken up by a shock absorber of the solder balls and aperture type employed on the Flare Mk 4. Full suspension of the flare occurs approximately 30 to 50 feet below the plane, and 90 or 120 seconds later the first fire of the illuminant is ignited by the delay.
See Also
Source(s)
OP 1664, Volume 1 - US Explosive Ordnance (1947)
USNBD - Bombs and Fuzes, Pyrotechnics (1945)
