Some of the French
aviators favour a still simpler method. The bomb is attached to
a thread and lowered over the side. At the critical moment it is
released simply by severing the thread. Such aeroplane bombs,
however, constitute a menace to the machine and to the pilot.
Should the bomb be struck by hostile rifle or shell fire while
the machine is aloft, an explosion is probable; while should the
aero plane make an abrupt descent the missiles are likely to be
detonated.
A bomb which circumvents this menace and which in fact will
explode only when it strikes the ground is that devised by Mr.
Marten-Hale. This projectile follows the usual pear-shape, and
has a rotating tail to preserve direction when in flight. The
detonator is held away from the main charge by a collar and
ball-bearing which are held in place by the projecting end of a
screw-releasing spindle. When the bomb is dropped the rotating
tail causes the spindle to screw upwards until the projection
moves away from the steel balls, thereby allowing them to fall
inward when the collar and the detonator are released. In order
to bring about this action the bomb must have a fall of at least
200 feet.
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