USAF Mk2 practice bomb

[Blutman]

Bomb, practice
BDU-33 D/B
USAF DWG. NO. 7728467-10
Contract NO. DAAA09-81-C-9085
Lot No. ABB83J002-016
N.S.N. 1325-01-054-2906

its a 25 to 30lbs practice bomb and I'm wondering if its modern or WW2 era. This thing is solid and heavy, the tail section is hallow and it has a hole bored thru from nose to tail, and from my understanding the holes on the side are smoke charge fittings, so when the bomb hit the ground after its drop, it would go off to signal where it landed.

My only reason for thinking it could be WW2 is because its shaped like a WW2 bomb and has a bit of hidden surface rust. 23inches long. I tryed my best to get a close shot of the writing without blurring but it was either blur, or glare.

[Walkwolf]

In WWII there was no 'United States Air Force'.
Only the US Army Air Corps.

But I think it's probably from the 70's.
Not sure about this, could be earlier...................


Very cool piece of ordnance ! !







Regards, Steve.

[Blutman]

I got the model wrong its an MK76 and heres a resulting pic of one being dropped

I'm just curious about the era, so it probably is '70s and used for jet insted of prop planes

[Matt L]

The type is identified right on it:

BDU-33- BDU-33 - Dumb Bombs

It's a simulator for a Mk82 GP bomb, which, apparently, stems from a project begun in the 50s...

[Loader45]

This item is a BDU-33 practice bomb, used by USAF and US Navy. It was in use well before I began loading them in 1986, and is still in use as far as I know. In military use, it contains a spotting charge which is activated by the firing pin located in the nose of the bomb. Pilot accuracy is scored by a range officer who can see the smoke which is released by the bomb on impact. Pilots must qualify on a regular basis with bombs and with the gun.

[Loader45]

The BDU-33 mimics the flight characteristics of the Mk82 general purpose bomb in low drag configuration. The BDU-33 is used extensively in training pilots for close air support missions.