All bombs are carried in some sort of release mechanism attached to the airplane. There are two types of release mechanism - vertical and horizontal; the vertical type is usually installed on the inside of the fuselage and the horizontal type is usually hung from the lower wings. The horizontal type is the more common type employed and is found in batteries of a number of traps depending on the kind of bomb used, an equal number suspended from each bottom wing.

The function of the trap is to carry the bomb in a safe condition, permit of its release at the desired time, and provide for the removal of the safety device at the time of release.

The different types of release mechanisms and the method of operation and installation are described in detail in the handbooks given in the "List of reference books."

Bomb Release Mechanisms as of August 12, 1918

In all types of horizontal release mechanism now used the bomb is supported by a strap around the body and steadied by means of nose and tail clips. One end of the striay is fixed to the frame of the trap and the other end is he by some form of trigger which permits of its release.

Care must be taken to see that the release mechanism is kept in proper working order, and it should be tested before attaching the bomb. All working parts should be kept clean and covered with a thin coating -of oil.