Bombs Away: B43 Thermonuclear Bomb
Diefenbunker: Canada's Cold War Museum
BOMBS AWAY
The Royal Canadian Air Force was equipped with nuclear weapons in Germany from 1964 to 1972. The CF-104 Starfighter aircraft could be equipped with the B43 thermonuclear bomb, the larger of the two bomb casings on display. The B43 was produced in 1956 at the American Los Alamos National Laboratory, which housed the Manhattan Project during the Second World War. Considered a bunker buster bomb, the B43 was capable of penetrating fortified military structures both above and underground.
The smaller Mark 83-a low-drag general purpose bomb is still in use today as a jet aircraft bomb. Both bombs are painted to show they were used for bombing practice.
Casing(s), Bomb. On loan from the Canadian War Museum.
Thermonuclear Practice Bomb
(MK43)
Manufactured in USA.
365cm long, 68cm diameter, 962kg weight.
Centre section of bomb can carry 1 megaton payload (the equivalent of one million tons of TNT explosive).
Bombs Away: B43 Thermonuclear Bomb
Diefenbunker: Canada's Cold War Museum
BOMBS AWAY
The Royal Canadian Air Force was equipped with nuclear weapons in Germany from 1964 to 1972. The CF-104 Starfighter aircraft could be equipped with the B43 thermonuclear bomb, the larger of the two bomb casings on display. The B43 was produced in 1956 at the American Los Alamos National Laboratory, which housed the Manhattan Project during the Second World War. Considered a bunker buster bomb, the B43 was capable of penetrating fortified military structures both above and underground.
The smaller Mark 83-a low-drag general purpose bomb is still in use today as a jet aircraft bomb. Both bombs are painted to show they were used for bombing practice.
Casing(s), Bomb. On loan from the Canadian War Museum.
Thermonuclear Practice Bomb
(MK43)
Manufactured in USA.
365cm long, 68cm diameter, 962kg weight.
Centre section of bomb can carry 1 megaton payload (the equivalent of one million tons of TNT explosive).