Canberra drop tank explosive bolts

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Member for

4 years 3 months

Posts: 2

Hi folks.

 

I just came across some "explosive bolts" for the Canberra drop tanks:

Explosive Bolt 1

Explosive Bolts 2

 

Does anyone with any knowledge of these know if they themselves actually contain any explosives?! The parts manual does show a separate "detonator" (Number 2) that is installed (not present) which I am sure is the extent of the explosive parts but just wanted to make sure this isnt a case of detonators in the sense of use with C4/RDX etc in which the detonator is used to set off the bulk of the explosives etc.

 

Obviously I will inform the appropriate authorities if it is dangerous!

 

 

Original post

Member for

19 years 1 month

Posts: 6,043

As far as I am aware - the 'Bolt' body is inert,we used to lift the tanks up manually and fit/tighten the 3 Nuts to secure.The Bombheads (armourers) would then fit the charges and connect them electrically.The small explosive charge would then fracture the 'Waisted' (weakened) section of the bolt body if the Tanks were subsequently jettisoned.

Member for

4 years 3 months

Posts: 2

Thanks bazv. This is what I suspected but wanted to check.