Airplane flares

A friction primer compn for an airplane flare contains 14 parts K chlorate 1.6 parts charcoal in 0.3 parts of binder (dextrin). Modified scratch sensitive mixts contg thermite produce very high temps and can ignite some smoke mixts without an intermediate starter (Ref 54, p 5-46)... 

Dextrin also has been and is now used as a binder in various pyrotechnic compos (Ref 11) Davis (Ref 5, pp 62ff) gives numerous examples. As a binder a desensitizer it has been used in primer compns, as for example in a friction primer used for an airplane flare (Ref 5, p 454), or in a compn. for electric primers consisting of K chlorate 88, charcoal 10 dextrin 2% (Ref 9, p 118). As a fuel dextrin was used in some commercial expls, such as Nobelit "Fordit (Ref 2, p 407). In some gelatine expls, such as "Safety Jelly Dynamite (Ref, p 407), a paste called "glue-dextrine-glycerine jelly was used... 

Colored light compositions are used in the form of a loose powder, or are tamped into paper tubes in torches for political parades, for highway warnings, and for railway and marine signals, in Bengal lights, in airplane flares, and in lances for set pieces, or are prepared in the form of compact pellets as stars for Roman candles, rockets, and aerial bombs, or as stars to be shot from a special pistol for signaling. 

In a typical friction primer for an airplane flare, ignition is secured by pulling a loop of braided wire coated with red phosphorus and shellac through a pellet, made from potassium chlorate (14 parts) and charcoal (1.6 parts), hardened with dextrin (0.3 part). 

Uses As oxidizing agent in primer caps in combination with mercury fulminate and with red phosphorus, antimony sulfide, and other combustible substances,1 P36. In pyrotechnic mixtures as component of airplane flares, stars for aerial bombs and for signaling, maroons, white and colored smokes. As component of Permissibles. In incendiary projectiles, P5. 

Airplane travel can increase our exposure to cosmic and solar radiation that is normally blocked by the atmosphere. Radiation intensity is greater across the poles and at higher altitudes, thus individual exposure varies depending on the route of travel. Storms on the sun can produce solar flares that can release larger amounts of radiation than normal. For the occasional traveler this radiation exposure is well below recommended limits established by regulatory authorities. However, frequent... 

Ground Flares — These flares, when ignited in a trench or shell hole, were distinctly visible from airplanes even in daytime, hit were completely hidden from the enemy. The following compositions were used ... 

FLARE, AIRCRAFT Hiidmte M8A1 (w/o suspension bands) (emergency night landing) M1U1 ftnu flintf) /v7g suspension bands) Release from airplane 3.0 to 5.0 105 to 195 350 8.0 25.42 4.25 17.6 200... 

The airplane wing-tip flares which were used for signaling during the first World War are good examples23 of aluminum compositions. They were loaded in cylindrical paper cases 4 inches in length and 1% inches in internal diameter. The white light composition consisted of 77 parts of barium nitrate, 13 of flake aluminum, and 5 of sulfur intimately mixed and secured by a binder of shellac, and burned in the cases mentioned, for 1... 

During WWII, much greater varieties of flares were used than in WI. Most of the flares developed were for airplane use (See Fig 2-75 in Vol 4, p D957)... 

The airplane wing-tip flares which were used for signaling... 

Uses include flashlight photography, flares, and pyrotechnics, including incendiary bombs. It is one-third lighter than aluminum, and in alloys is essential for airplane and missile construction. The hydroxide (milk of magnesia), chloride, sulfate (Epsom salts), and citrate are used in medicine. 

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