Anyone know what this practice bomb is?

[Gil Boyd]

The two holes probably confirm it was underslung on a plane for quick release as a real bomb would be. The five would then be visible when slung under the plane. Nice piece. The five does make me think WW1.

[Aragorn243]

So you think the numbers were for identifying a particular plane? Say plane A had a 1 and so on through the line so when they picked them up afterwards they could score the bombers.

[browningautorifle]

identifying a particular plane

Maybe, it doesn't weigh five pounds does it? The holes are for screw eyes? There should still be screw marks there. The nose shows wood grain straight across so I don't think that's a plug.

[Gil Boyd]

Jim,
It was exactly that basic during WW1. Screw eyes let loose by tugging a string for the respective number of bomb you wanted to drop in English aircraft the Americans did something completley different have a look at the picture below. They definately used wooden bombs in WW2 too, as a type of micky take and shows the sense of humour by RAF pilots on the Germans when they built airfields with planes parked up looking really authentic out of wood, so they dropped wooden bombs.................now that is getting rid of PTSD in a funny way at the time!!

Could I ask you to see if the fins unscrew from the bomb itself. If it does you will find a compartment inside it, which was for messages.

[browningautorifle]

It was exactly that basic during WW1.

I was suggesting that back in post #4...no one was buying.

[Gil Boyd]

Jim,
Must admit I missed that too......could saved me trying to get someone at IWM to send me some bumph..............during WW1/2 common as muck but the actual item is as rare as rocking hose ****, especially the message bombs!

[Aragorn243]

I noticed the wood grain being the same when I looked at the photo. Probably not a plug. The fins are held by 3 screws each but the tail does not come off as a unit. I don't think this has a compartment. The holes are threaded. No way to weigh it. We don't have scales in the house. I'd estimate it's weight based on comparing it to a 5lb dumbbell at 2 1/2lbs maybe.

[Gil Boyd]

Steve,
I am hoping to get you a like minded photo of one they have at Duxford in the WW1 section , but due to staffing levels and opening yesterday to limited numbers it ain't easy my friend.

There are so many shapes for the wood ones, but weight was essential and also the aerodynamics of its flight to an accurate substitute for the real thing.
I am still putting my money on a U.S. made variant with the Brit string pull release system, and the reason for the two holes.

Read this which confirms a truth:

President Roosevelt received the following intelligence briefing from Donovan, head of OSS: “For months, Berlin has been camouflaging its streets, squares, parks and lakes to confuse Allied fliers ... To show contempt for this German effort at camouflage, a single RAF plane flew over ... and dropped one wooden bomb.”

[browningautorifle]

To show contempt for this German effort at camouflage, a single RAF plane flew over ... and dropped one wooden bomb.”

Kind of like the mission of a Beaufighter to fly over the streets of Paris during the noontime German occupation parade...Operation Squabble. Have a read... Ten Minute Triumph Over Tyranny > Vintage Wings of Canada

[Gil Boyd]

They all did some memorable things in both wars that are sheer legends and helped to lift morale at a dark time. Wooden bombs on wooden fake planes, flying through the heart of occupied Paris Brilliant!!