Fairey swordfish

[PatG]

Impact detonation of British Aerial mines capable of being carried by the Fairey Swordfish

By design:
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WAMBR_Mines.htm

A Mark I
Originally designed to fit the same dropping gear as the 18 inch (45 cm) Mark XI torpedo. First used magnetic only triggering but later versions incorporated acoustic, acoustic-magnetic and magnetic-pressure triggering, although the last one was not used in service. Weight was about 1,500 lbs. (680 kg) with a 750 lbs. (340 kg) charge.

Mk II info snipped

A Mark III
Similar to Mark I but with less use of scarce material. Some were fitted for impact firing. Mark III*** was for dropping from Mosquitos at 260 knots from 300 feet (90 m) into inland waterways. Designed to be dropped from 4,000 lbs. (1,814 kg) bomb gear.

Emphasis added.


By Accident
Fotress Malta -info given earlier

Nat was sent on another mine-laying excercise ... He particularily loathed taking off with these enormous long cylinders strapped underneath, especially since the gap between the ground and the "cucumber" was less than one foot; he was fully aware that on the rough, bomb-damaged airfield of Hal Far, it was all too easy to take off and hit an object that might cause the mine to explode. Nor had any of them forgotten what had happened back in February, when eight men were killed after one had accidentally detonated.

(spelling errors all mine) In February, an armourer was demonstrating - on dry land - how to arm the mine when it went off .

Theoretical
Given that most ships carrying Swordfish would have a workshop, an armourer could adapt a regular impact fuse to fit a mine.

To recap this post:
1) I have proven that the Mk III - Dimensionally equivalent to the MkI could be fitted with an impact fuse. No not the Mark III***.
2) The pilots carrying a "safe" mine were worried about accidental impact with a rock or pothole on take-off detonating the mine. It was not a "1500 lb lump of lead" Even when on "safe". Logically dropping a mine from altitude would have a much higher chance of detonation.
3) Royal Navy armourers almost certainly had the tools and skills to adapt a conventional bomb impact fuse to fit a mine.

Again - I am not saying any British aircraft ever dropped a mine as a ground attack weapon in the same fashion as the German airforces were known to have done.

And this is my last post on the matter - Sorry to the rest for involving you in this pi**ing contest.

[chuckfourth]

Thank Christ.
Talk about shadow boxing phantoms.
Well I guess that though the Mk 3 mine was designed to be dropped from mosquito 4000 lb bomb gear that the swordfish didnt have, the armourer could have used some rope to attach it.
And why would you use the bombs the plane can carry when you can jury rig a mine with a impact fuse. Dont worry if you set it off and sink the ship, we really dont want to use these bombs.
You say "Dimensionally equivalent to the MkI" the ref only mentions that it is simlar, it may easily have been bigger and heavier.
There is also the problem of the service dates, the mine is available from 36 onwards but when did the A MARK III enter service I wonder?
Mk III and MkIII*** would be the same mine, they no doubt forgot to add the *** footnote.
Best Regards Chuck

[PatG]

RTFA

[Kruniac]

If only Chuck were put to good use on the game WWII Online - it would finally be realistic.

Chuck - you rule.