BombFuzeCollectorsNet.com - The German ECR Fuze

Picture shows the (15) and the longer(17) fuzes

The German ECR (Electrical, Condenser , Resistance) fuze was first

manufactured by Rheinmetall in the 1930,s , and was designed by Hubert

Rhuleman

Description

The normal type of bomb fuze as shown above is 110 mm long by 50 mm wide

(measured from the head to the base) the fuze consists of usually 2

charging pins, although if the fuze has only one circuit , the (17)

for example then only one is present , the other is a dummy.

Below this is the shoulder, this may contain

3 fixing screws, its this location that the various markings are

found,consisting of type of fuze ie EIAZ is an electrical impact

type. Next is a ringed number NB this is very important for example a

ringed (17) is a long delay clockwork fuze, it,s this type of fuze

that is longer in length, the clockwork portion screws into the base

and is 142 mm long. then there is the Triagramme or manufacturers mark

which can be 2 or 3 letters ie RhS is Rheinmetall (Sommerda ) Plant,

On early fuzes the Germans marked which bomb the fuze was to be used

for , marked C50 this was the 50 Kg the standard bomb used at the beginning of the war.

Then the batch code ie 2a is batch 2 sub batch a, this allowed any

faulty batches to be easily found, finally there is the inspectors

stamp (waffenampt ) Rheinmetalls inspector was number 56.

Construction

Picture shows the various types of consruction from the left is the early (15) next is the (25) series and last the (55)

Usually Alumininium , but could be steel, in two parts the top part

containing the charging pins is known as the SWITCH BLOCK, which also

houses the TREMBLER SWITCHES.the bottom section containing the

resistors and capicitors, that contain the electrical charge, at the

very bottom is a screw thread its here that the GAINE screws into.

The (55) fuze and the (89) fuze are constructed using tubular steel

.and are made in one piece instead of the usual two pieces.

How the ECR Fuze works

The normal ECR fuze is one that is charged electrically ,on leaving

the aircraft, during the bombs fall, the electrical charge trickles

through Resistors to a firing Condenser .The impact of the bomb

landing, causes a sensiative vibratory switch to close the circuit and

detonate the bomb,through a firing bridge (Similar to a match head)

this creates a flash that detonates the senitive penthrite wax,

contained in the attached Gaine which can be either steel or

Bakelite,

CONSTRUCTION

Sectioned No (25) A fuze showing bitumen coating

Sectioned No (28) B

Top view of sectioned (28) B

Internal capacitor block from a (55) fuze

Top view of above (55) Fuze

Bottom view of (55) Fuze

Typical switch block this is from the (55) fuze

View of Switch block from the other side showing the trembler switch

Top view of (55) fuze switch block

Underside showing tags that solder onto the capacitors

Charging pins

Fuze fittings

The early bombs were fitted into the fuze pocket using a slotted steel o ring and two screws, however it was often found that the screws would work loose and the fuze was likely to fall out !

Early slotted type of fitting

the answer was to completely redesigned the fuze pocket , this idea was adopted throughout the war, and consists of two pieces .

2 piece locking and locating ring fitted to a (25)B fuze

First the fuze was fitted, then a locating ring , and finally a threaded piece was screwed over the top, the fuze was then unable to shake loose