Did the cluster of 3 (parachute) Frag bombs AN-M4 be used by P-47?

[Flyingkag]

Hey all,

I would be interested to learn which kind of planes used (in ETO, not in the Pacific) the clusters M40 of 3 (para) Frag Bombs AN-M4, with fuse M120?

I guess these bombs slowed by a little parachute were efficient when used by fighter-bombers planes, for example for missions against airfields, troops concentrations etc...?

Do maybe someone have one pict showing such a cluster attached on wing of a fighter-bomber plane? I have seen some picts with clusters of many small frag bombs (without parachute) under P-47 wings, but have never seen the 3 bombs M40 cluster on a pict.

Fact that the M40 bomb was used in clusters of 3 let me imagine in was not put in bomb bay of bombers planes, but under wings or belly of other kind of planes.

Thanks for your help, Mathias

[RSwank]

The type of arrangement being referred to is called the AN-M4.

https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/AN-M4

https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/AN-M4#...1_(ORDATA).jpg


There is some discussion here: http://forum.largescaleplanes.com/in...howtopic=42592

and there is a comment that 8 such clusters could be loaded in the bomb bay of a B-25, so apparently they were not only loaded on the wings.

[Flyingkag]

Thanks Rswank,

Interesting stuff, but mystery still stays opened about use under wings, and especially: which ones wings!

I have seen a wooden crate of these AN-M40 clusters sent in ETO in 1944 (destination was "GLUE" = 9th AF), but have no idea on which unit and plane it was used. Fighter Group? Bomber Group? Mystery...

It would be estonishing that such complicated (and expensive?) clusters would be regularly used in B-25 bomb bay racks (8 clusters in one rack?), it would be easyer on my mind to just put the bombs in lines in bomb bay and drop them one after other with the lenght of the arming wire giving the "tempo" (delay) of parachute opening one after the other as the bombs are dropped. (?)

To sad that my last living P-47 pilot and friend (Lt Cecil "Tommy" Thompson, 367th FS) passed just some weeks ago; he would surely have had some memories about it if ever seen such a material...

Thanks for the help, Mathias

[RSwank]

There are some photos on fold3.com (free access), showing some groups of cluster bombs on P-47s, but they seem to have fins, not the parachute. Links are to the photos, the next page to the right typically has an explanation. One of the photos seems to show a under-wing mount, the others seem to be on the belly.

https://www.fold3.com/image/39054805

https://www.fold3.com/image/39055441

https://www.fold3.com/image/39055916

https://www.fold3.com/image/39053267

[Flyingkag]

Thanks RSwank,

I knew these ones; some other ones (not so good) exist concerning P-47s, but always showing the frag bombs with fins, not the parachute ones.

Maybe would it be possible to find in some Fighter-bombers groups "mission reports", Opreps" or daily histories etc...some written references about the use of such bombs with parachute for some unusual missions? I have a kind of feeling I already red some pilots statements about their use, but cannot remember...

I'll search a little bit more in the few microfilms I have and books, and of course share here if I find something!

Thanks for your kind help! Always precious!
Mathias

[Flyingkag]

https://www.fold3.com/image/39056716

another nice one...with fins, no parachute!

Mathias

[Flyingkag]

https://www.fold3.com/image/32443006

...and another one, loaded in a bomber that time!

Mathias

[Flyingkag]

and another great one; no more doubt about fact that bombers used many many Frag bombs clusters in ETO...but I have still not seen the parachute one!

https://www.fold3.com/image/39056837

Mathias

[RSwank]

On the link (scroll down a little to the Bombs, M-4 parafrag link to page 250)

https://books.google.com/books?id=_m...day%22&f=false

On page 250 is says the M-4 clusters were used in France by fighter bombers but were found to be unsafe. The bombs worked loose, became armed, dropped prematurely and sometimes exploded during takeoffs or landings. They were replaced by M-81s and later by M-27s.

[Flyingkag]

Yeah! You got it! good job, RSwank!

Thanks and congratulations for your quick and successful research!

I'll check if it was used in "my" FG, the 358th FG; it would be written somewhere in the archives microfilm I have, if they used such a (failing) stuff.

Mathias