Description
Object description
Splitterbombe SD-2. 2Kg (4.4 lb) bomb, containing 0.225 kg (0.496 lbs) of Fp 60/40 explosive. SD-2 fitted with a mechanical Type 41 clockwork fuze. Designed to be jettisoned from Vemag 90, Rost 24 grid or from air-dropped containers. Intended for use against living and unarmoured targets. SD-2B variant could be fitted with the mechanical LZtZ (67) time fuze, or Stoerzuender (70)A, (70)B, (70)B1 & (70)B2 harassment fuzes as a mine. Commonly known as a Butterfly Bomb.
Physical description
bomb, wings, fuze
the SD2 weighed about 4lb, and consisted of a cylindrical cast iron body, with an outer casing of sheet metal steel, that sprang open to form two wings as the bomb fell. The wings travelled up to the end of the steel cable that linked the wings to the fuze that was fitted in the body and as the bomb fell, these rotated and thus armed the fuze. Three types of fuze could be fitted, namely one that gave either a 3 second delay or direct action on impact, another that gave up to 30 minutes delay, and the last that was an anti-disturbance fuze.
Label
This German Second World War SD2 anti-personnel aircraft bomb (also known as the 'Butterfly Bomb') was designed to be air-dropped in containers that burst open at altitude in order to scatter the contents, the containers typically being the AB 23 (containing 23 bombs), the AB 250-3 (containing 108 bombs), and the AB 24t (holding 24 bombs). The bomb's fascinating appearance (it proved a particularly compelling object for children) ensured its success as anti-personnel device so much so that its deadly characteristics inspired a concerted British safety campaign.
History note
This German Second World War SD2 anti-personnel aircraft bomb (also known as the 'Butterfly Bomb') was designed to be air-dropped in containers that burst open at altitude in order to scatter the contents, the containers typically being the AB 23 (containing 23 bombs), the AB 250-3 (containing 108 bombs), and the AB 24t (holding 24 bombs). The bomb's fascinating appearance (it proved a particularly compelling object for children) ensured its success as anti-personnel device so much so that its deadly characteristics inspired a concerted British safety campaign.
Stamped into one of the end plates
26 fyw 42