BOMBS FOR AIRSHIPS

Evening Star, Issue 15371, 20 December 1913, Page 16

BOMBS FOR AIRSHIPS

Hie British War Ollico and several foreign countries have placed large orders with Air F. Marten Hale, of the Cotton Powder Company, Ltd., for his now bomb designed for dropping from aeroplanes or airships. Important tests wero carried our two or throe days ago at Eastchnrch, and the experts expressed themselves as surprised at the results. The features of the bomb are that, dropped at anr angle or position and at any speed that the airship may be travelling at, the projectile will almost immediately regain and maintain its vertical position in descent, so that it hits its target perfectly plumb and nose flov. nvrards. tlu* tendency to somersaults and wobbling which is so apparent in all other bombs entirely disappearing. Hip bomb is so sensitive that it will explode on the slightest retardation due to impact, even 011 water, soft ground, mud, or snow. The tests were made on a Short biplane piloted by Flying-master F. B. Parker, R.N. Lieutenant Pierse, 'R.N. seated behind, manipulated the. bombs! The. “Hale’’ bomb, it is claimed, will pierce Sin of steel armor plate, and will be equally effective on sloping sides as on a flat surface. Should it hit a fortress gun it would smash it, and if the bomb tell a few yards away it would make such a displacement of the earth as to upset tho foundation ox the gun and put it oiff 01 action. Air Hale “is the inventor of numerous explosive designs used bv Britain and other countries. One of the latest was an illuminating grenade fired Irani rifles for use in night attacks