WWII French bombs

A bomber crew inspects bombs, close to the photographer are 500 kg bombs. Behind them are a Bloch MB.131 and an Amiot 143.

Bomb type list

Bomb designation	type	detailed data	used on (incomplete list)
50 kg DT2	GP	complete	Bre 691/693/695, DB-7, M.167-F, LeO.451
100 kg	GP	in progress	DB-7, M.167-F, LeO.451
200 kg	GP	in progress	DB-7, M.167-F, LeO.451
500 kg modèle 1930 n°3	GP	in progress	LeO.451
75 kg G2	anti-ship	N/A	V-156-F, Laté 298, Loire 130
150 kg I2	anti-ship	N/A	Laté 298, LN 401

Study on bomb efficiency for different target types

bomb_effect_*.pdf files in this directory

Main reference on bomb types

Notes sur le bombardement aérien , SHAA, ref. K18626

Explosives used

M: Mélinite
MDA: Mélinite Détonateur d'Amorçage
MD: Mélinite Détonateur
MP: Mélinite Parafinée
MS: Mélinite Stéarinée
MMN: Mélinite (70) Mononitronaphtaline (30)
MDN: Mélinite (80) Dinitronaphtaline (20)
DD: Dinitronaphtaline (60) Dinitrophénol (40)
C: Crésylite (60) Mélinite (40)
T: Tolite (trinitrotulène)
X: Xylite (trinitrométaxylène).

50 kg DT2 bomb

Characteristics

Length: 1.24 m
Body max. diameter: 195 mm
Tail surface span: 260 mm
Total weight: 57.30 kg
Explosive weight: 19.40 kg
Explosive type: MDN or DD
Casing material: forged semi-hard steel
Casing thickness: nose section 19 mm, middle section 10 mm, tail section 9 mm
Casing paint colour: yellow
Fuse type: C2 (font mounting) or O (tail mounting)
Either immediate or 10-11 second delay

Plans and picture gallery

50kgDT_01.jpg
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50kgDT_02.jpg
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50kgDT_03.jpg
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50kgDT_05.jpg
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50kgDT2_hitproba.jpg
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50kgDT2_plan.jpg
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100 kg bomb

Characteristics

Length: 1.50 m
Body max. diameter: 275 mm
Total weight: 117 kg
Explosive weight: 50 kg
Explosive type: MDN or DD
Casing material: forged steel
Casing thickness: nose section 30 mm, middle section 11 mm, tail section 9 mm
Casing paint colour: yellow

Picture

100.jpg
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200 kg bomb

Characteristics

Length: 1.68 m
Body max. diameter: 370 mm
Total weight: 224 kg
Explosive weight: 105 kg
Explosive type: MDN or DI
Casing material: forged steel
Casing thickness: nose section 25 mm, middle section 11 mm, tail section 9 mm
Casing paint colour: yellow

500 kg modèle 1930 n°3 bomb

Characteristics

Length: 2.13 m
Body max. diameter: 490 mm
Total weight: 500 kg
Explosive weight: 270 kg
Explosive type: MDM-DD-T or MT
Casing material: forged steel
Casing thickness: nose section 36 mm, middle section 15 mm, tail section 9 mm
Casing paint colour: yellow