Description
Signal Light Mk 2 is used primarily as a distress signal.
The cartridge, sometimes called the Very signal, is similar in appearance to a 10 gauge shotgun shell. The star charge is a tightly packed cylinder of pyrotechnic material reinforced with wire and wrapped with quick match. The propelling charge is composed of about 25 grains of black powder separated from the star charge by a hard felt pad.
Identification of the three types:
Red Star — Paper wrapping is red; closing wad is corrugated.
White star — Paper wrapping is white; closing wad has a small cone in the center.
Green star — Paper wrapping is green; closing wad is smooth.
Functioning
The Signal Pistol Mk 5 may be used, as well as the Hand Projector Mk 3 or Mk 4.
The primer ignites the propelling charge, expelling the star out of the projector and igniting the quick match, which ignites the star as it leaves the barrel and burns as it rises to a height of about 200 feet.
See Also
Nothing else to see.
Source(s)
OP 1664, Volume 1 - US Explosive Ordnance (1947)
