WW1 IMPERIAL GERMAN ZEPPELIN AND AIRCRAFT BOMB

This is an actual bomb as used. To overcome shortcomings of earlier bombs, in about 1916, the Prufanstalt und Werft der Fliergertruppe (P.u.W. - Test Establishment and Workshop of the Aviation Troops) developed the P.u.W. Bomb. This streamlined bomb had a superior aerodynamic performance and could be considered as the prototype of the modern aircraft bomb. It was manufactured from high-grade steel, rather than cast-iron, which gave it better penetration, and the tail fins were mounted at an angle to spin-stabilize the bomb as it fell and also activated the centrifugal nose fuze (missing). The P.u.W. Bomb was produced in six different sizes, ranging from 12.5kg up to 1000kg, of which this is a 12.5kg example. Physical description This is a German First World War aircraft bomb, consisting of high-grade steel body, with thin steel fins. The latter have a slight angle, so that they impart a spin as the bomb falls, improving the trajectory as well as activating the nose fuze by centrifugal force. The bomb is 750mm long, 90mm in diameter, and weighs c12.5kg with a fill ratio of 12% explosive. Condition: This bomb is in generally excellent condition with no significant repairs that I know of. It is of course repainted. This is quite a rare bomb and is an example of a major step forward in weapons design.