Demolition charges

[noggin]

Having read several reports of aircraft having force landed in the UK and the crew setting demolition charges to destroy them. Is the wording " setting " as placing an explosive on the aircraft in a place that would destroy it or " setting " as arming a pre placed explosive charge ? Also would it be a pull pin system like a grenade or light blue touch paper and leg it .

[edwest]

It depends. Some aircraft were set on fire by the crew, others had explosive charges with "ignitors" that were designed to destroy part of the aircraft; usually some technical equipment that would be denied to the enemy intact. Some explosive charges were put into the midsection of aircraft that were on the ground to deny their use by the enemy. I can't confirm this, but it appears a timing device, not like that for a grenade, was used. In other cases, a grenade was thrown into the cockpits of fighter aircraft on the ground to prevent their use by the enemy.




Ed

[RudiS]

There are threads about this topic here and here

Regards,
Rudi.

[noggin]

Thanks. It was in relation to Captain John Cantopher disarming a demolition charge on a Ju88 at Graveney Marsh 27 September 1940. There seems to be a few versions of the story but one said the charges were " set " under the wings near the fuel tanks. I had read reports on other aircraft being destroyed by charges or being torched , but never seen a picture of a charge or a position for one in any photo.

[edNorth]

Ju 88 carried small charge in left wing root, near rear spar. Armed with lever (and cable) from the cockpit (right side of Radio wall near Radio operator?) Effect of it having been blown can be seen on Mistel photograph from Merseburg.
http://aviadejavu.ru/Images6/HI/HI-2/84-1.jpg
-Ed

[edNorth]

Same plane. http://www.oocities.org/heartland/vi...el/mis_2ii.jpg

And close up... https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Fw-190A/...rg-1945-01.jpg
-Ed

[noggin]

Many thanks.