whistling bomb

[Napoo]

How does it work?

[Mortartube]

One of two ways. Firstly the bomb is a standard military bomb. The Germans used to strap mechanical whistles to their bombs and I believe also Stuka aircraft, so that the air passing through them would make a whistling sound as the bomb drops to the ground. Alternatively, pyrotechnic whistles have also been used on shells, notably in WWI. The charge that blows the shell out of the gun, also lights a pyrotechnic whistle which is designed to unnerve the enemy. A number of whistle formulae were used, many early ones incorporating Potassium Picrate, derived from Picric Acid. Unfortunately, picrate whistles easily denoate rather than burn when subjected to shock and they are rarely used at all today.

[Napoo]

Thanks very much - a quiz colleague didn't belive me! Only obne thing aboutthe abswer - what is "denoate"? (or is it a typo for "detonate"?)

Regards - Napoo

[Mortartube]

Yes it's a typo for detonate, as opposed to deflagrate (which means burn). You can impress your friend with that one, he'll think you've done some really in depth research.

[gammaray]

Deflagrate isn't a real word!

[gammaray]

...No, hang on. A better dictionary is needed... there it is! Deflagrate..!

[Napoo]

Thanks - now I'll die happy!

[Mortartube]

I'm glad that we got that sorted out.