PC 1000

Last updated
PC 1000
Pc1000.jpg
Type Armor-piercing bomb
Place of originFlag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Nazi Germany
Service history
Used by Luftwaffe
Wars World War II
Specifications
Mass1,000 kg (2,200 lb) [1]
Length2.16 m (7 ft 1 in)
Diameter508 mm (20 in)

Warhead TNT
Warhead weight160 kg (350 lb) [2]

The PC 1000 (Panzersprengbombe Cylindrisch) or cylindrical armor-piercing explosive bomb in English was an armor-piercing bomb used by the Luftwaffe during World War II.

Contents

History

The PC series of bombs differed from the SC series because they had thick cases for enhanced penetration of armored targets like warships or reinforced concrete fortifications. The PC 1000 was capable of breaking through most concrete roofs. [3] While the SD series bombs could be used in a semi-armor piercing role the PC series of bombs were specifically designed as armor-piercing bombs. Since they had thicker hardened steel cases their charge to weight ratio was only 20% of their total weight. Bombs in the PC series included the PC 500, PC 1000, PC 1400, and PC 1600. The number in the bombs designation corresponded to the approximate weight of the bomb. The smaller bombs had either Amatol or TNT while the larger bombs were filled more powerful explosives like RDX and Trialen to compensate for their reduced charges. The PC series of bombs were fitted with a time delay fuze which detonated the bomb after it had pierced a target destroying it with a combination of its blast and fragments. The PC series served as a base for the later PC RS series rocket propelled bombs which were designed to enhance penetration by increasing their terminal velocity. [4]

Design

The PC series of bombs differed from the SC series because they had thick cases for enhanced penetration of armored targets like warships. The nose of the bomb was thick and the charge to weight ratio of the bomb was only 16%. The body was of one-piece forged steel construction which was filled through the base with TNT and was fitted with a magnesium alloy 4 finned tail with a cylindrical strut. There was a single transverse fuze pocket near the base of the bomb and there were two central exploders which ran through the explosives. The PC 1000 was horizontally suspended by a suspension band and H-Type suspension lug in a bomb bay or fuselage hardpoint. There were also trunnions for use by dive bombers. The body of the bombs were painted sky blue, while the tail was painted aluminum with a blue stripe. [2]

See also

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SC50 bomb General-purpose bomb

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SC 500 bomb General-purpose bomb

The SC 500 or cylindrical explosive bomb in English was a family of general-purpose bombs used by the Luftwaffe during World War II.

SB 1000 Luftmine

The SB 1000 (Spezialbombe) was a luftmine used by the German Luftwaffe during World War II.

SB 2500 Luftmine

The SB 2500 (Spezialbombe) was a luftmine or aerial mine in English used by the Luftwaffe during World War II.

SD 50 (bomb) Fragmentation bomb

The SD 50 or thick walled explosive bomb in English was a fragmentation bomb used by the Luftwaffe during World War II.

SD 70 (bomb) Fragmentation bomb

The SD 70 or thick walled explosive bomb in English was a fragmentation bomb used by the Luftwaffe during World War II.

SD 250 Fragmentation bomb

The SD 250 or thick walled explosive bomb in English was a fragmentation bomb used by the Luftwaffe during World War II.

SD 1700 Fragmentation bomb

The SD 1700 or thick walled explosive bomb in English was a fragmentation bomb used by the Luftwaffe during World War II.

PD 500 Armor-piercing bomb

The PD 500 or thick walled armor-piercing explosive bomb in English was an armor-piercing bomb used by the Luftwaffe during World War II.

PC 500 Armor-piercing bomb

The PC 500 or cylindrical armor-piercing explosive bomb in English was a series of armor-piercing bombs used by the Luftwaffe during World War II.

PC 1400 Armor-piercing bomb

The PC 1400 or cylindrical armor-piercing explosive bomb in English was an armor-piercing bomb used by the Luftwaffe during World War II.

PC 1600 Armor-piercing bomb

The PC 1600 or cylindrical armor-piercing explosive bomb in English was an armor-piercing bomb used by the Luftwaffe during World War II.

SD 15 (bomb) Fragmentation bomb

The SD 15 or thick walled explosive bomb in English was a fragmentation bomb used by the Luftwaffe during World War II.

SBe 250 Fragmentation bomb

The SBe 250 or concrete fragmentation in English was a fragmentation bomb used by the Luftwaffe during World War II.

SBe 50 Fragmentation bomb

The SBe 50 or concrete fragmentation in English was a family of fragmentation bombs used by the Luftwaffe during World War II.

References

  1. Ward, John (2004). Hitler's Stuka Squadrons: The JU 87 at War 1936-1945. MBI Publishing Company LLC. ISBN   9780760319918.
  2. 1 2 United States War Office (1953). German explosive ordnance : (bombs, fuzes, rockets, land mines, grenades and igniters). United States Government Printing Office. OCLC   713755660.
  3. Kurowski, Franz (2004). Luftwaffe Aces: German Combat Pilots of World War II. Stackpole Books. ISBN   9780811731775.
  4. Visingr, Lukáš. "Německé letecké bomby: Smrticí arzenál Luftwaffe". Vojsko.net (in Czech). Retrieved 2019-03-07.