Code: M16071
Incredibly rare 'Brock' Zeppelin Dart. Darts or 'Flechettes' Steel 'dart' were dropped by WW1 RFC aircrews over the trenches to maim, injure and kill troops and horses. This however, is not a 'standard' flechette. Designed by Wing Commander Frank Arthur Brock O.B.E. Royal Naval Air Service, a member of the famous Brock firework company, this incendiary and/or explosive dart was intended to be dropped by hand when flying above Zeppelins or other dirigibles. The design was submitted by Brock's nephew of C.T. Brock & Co. Sutton, Surrey, to the Munitions Invention Department of the Ministry of Munitions in August 1915, for evaluation by the Royal Flying Corps. The dart is comprised of a round conical point 4"/10cm in length and 3/8" (9mm) in diameter, affixed to a 6"/15.5cm brass tube of the same diameter with three small fins attached to the rear end for stability. The brass tube is stamped 'C.T. BROCK SBZD' and 'PATT. B&F - 1915'. In trials conducted by the RNAS at Fort Grange Gosport on 26/06/15 the darts were used with various charges including: 1. White Phosphorous/Aluminium powder; 2. Tungsten/Phosphorous mixed 80/20 and the centre portion charged with Nitropentaeythite or Guhr Dynamite of 75% Nitroglycerine; 3. 74% Potassium Chlorate 13% Red Lead Oxide & 13% Salicylic Acid.
Frank Arthur Brock was born on 29th June 1888 and flew with the RNAS between 1914 and 1918. He was killed in action on 23rd April 1918 during an attempt to neutralize the key Belgian port of Bruges-Zeebrugge for which he devised and executed a smoke screen. Brock was also instrumental in the destruction of Zeppelin L.Z.37 by Flight Sub Lieutenant R.A.J. Warneford VC, RNAS (June 7th 1915), having designed a specially constructed bomb that later became known as the 'Brock Bullet'.
This Brock Zeppelin Dart is in excellent overall condition and comes with a photocopy of the details submitted when it was evaluated. Stock code M16071.
