Tallboy
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Thread: Tallboy

  1. #1

    Tallboy

    Here's what 5,000 lbs of HE going off underwater looks like.

    https://twitter.com/Poland_MOD/statu...82610071592960
    US Army, Major, Ret.

    Service To The Line,
    On The Line,
    On Time

    US Army Ordnance Corps.

  2. #2

    Hi MM,
    Thanks for the HU and link.

    Although, being a Tallboy then it's 12,000lbs or 5400kgs....

    The RAF were trying to sink the pocket battleship Lützow moored there, in April '45.....hmmmmm fish and chips anyone....

    Cheers

    Shessi

  3. #3
    The explosive weight is much less that the all up weight with the casing.

    They were trying to burn the explosive filler out, but part way into the process they got a detonation. This can happen if the back pressure at the burning front raises too quickly (tricky to avoid under water).

    At the ordnance school we did a demo with black powder of this effect. We made the classic trail of loose black powder on the ground, and then at one point along the path we created a deeper pile. Once lit, it burned along the ground just like in the movies until it reached the pile (only a relatively few inches deeper), at which point it exploded, stopping the burning trail dead in its tracks.
    US Army, Major, Ret.

    Service To The Line,
    On The Line,
    On Time

    US Army Ordnance Corps.

  4. #4
    Also like the Grand Slam bomb: all-up weight 22,000lb, explosive content 9,500lb. The main purpose of these weapons was to pierce heavy structures or dig themselves very deep before going bang.
    Tom
    __________________________________________________ ___________________________________________
    Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Proverbs 4:7



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