vickersarmstrongcollection

I was curious about the number of heavy nuts and bolts at its end. I've found this on Wiki; en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Slam_(bomb)

Your wonderful capture was seen in Black & White Photos
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I believe that the explosive used was poured and due to the high speed that the bomb achieved during its descent those exposed nuts not only secured the detonating mechanism but provided solid attachment points to keep the tail surface attached...

chuck2669 Yes I was wondering - that's a lot of nuts to keep a tail on..

Also one of the Grand Slam bombs was used as a static display at RAF Scampton's Main Gate until about 1958 when upon trying to lift it due to a road widening projectit was discovered to be too heavy for the small crane being used and upon closer examination discovered to be still full of Torpex. It was collected by the British military and detonated at the experimental test range at Shoeburyness and heard over a 10 mile radius. - abbr. from the Australian Armourers Association. www.gunnies.pac.com.au/gallery/grand_slam.htm

The crew of the RN Whaler being passed by the "Tank"(possibly an over ambitious name for such a small vehicle) is looking somewhat bemused by the spectacle. 2nd oar starboard is so gobsmacked by the apparition that he has managed to get totally out of stroke with his crew mates.

Well spotted. ^^ I still wouldn't trust a floating tank..

Still waiting for your write up as I say this but.. were the guns 'proven' on Tyneside or taken elsewhere for testing? I can't imagine huge bangs along the river! Mind, stranger things happened..

Hi [https://www.flickr.com/photos/flyeye] this one was taken at Silloth-on-Solway, although Ridsdale in Northumberland was also frequently used.

I remember when I played Silloth Golf Club somebody told me that their was a firing range

Another great industrial image. Some of the worlds greatest battleships were built at Elswick.

Your wonderful capture was seen in Black & White Photos
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