grenade

[Enver Pa�a]

how does a handgrenade work?

[drbsparks]

a hand grenade is composed of 3 basic parts.

a handle/trigger

a detonator

and the outer case

Basically when the pin is pulled and the handle/trigger released, a short fuse burns which then ignites the detonator inside the core of the grenade. This explosion although fairly small causes the outer case to explode and shatter into small pieces called shrapnel. It is these pieces which then fly outwards randomly and cause the damage when coming into contact with someone.

The Hollywood effects showing massive explosions and fire and bangs are not realistic at all. It is not the explosion at all which kills or maims people but the flying fragments of the grenade case.

[Philtaz]

A hand grenade is made of two parts, the explosive and the detonator.

 

The explosive is contained within a thin metal casing.  The detonator is very carefully inserted into the casing(detonators can explode from the heat produced by the human hand and thus are treated rather delicately) and screwed into place.

When the pin is pulled a spring activates, striking a small percussion cap.  The fuse then ignites after which you have anywhere between 3.6 and 5.5 seconds to throw the grenade.(I'm referring to the standard Mk 2 Grenade I used in the Army).

The fuse explodes, causing the explosive within the casing to also explode.  The casing then fragments into small pieces(shrapnel).

 

When carrying out grenade training a favourite trick with the Squad Staff was to throw the explosive casing towards you, in order to see if you would panic!  They ALWAYS passed you the detonator very carefully though, as it was your task to assemble the grenade.

[drbsparks]

sorry, is there a parrot about.