Data

Overall length		6 inches.
Maximum Diameter		1.06 inches.
Filling		Propellant & pyrotechnic.

Description

The cartridge consists of a light alloy outer container complete with the propelling charge and an inner container in which there are six star units. Running through the center of the star units is an assembly of two brass tubes which are held in position by a central cannelure into which the inner container is indented and fixed by means of a steel pin. The outer tube has one set of six flash holes which coincide with the inner surfaces of the six stars. The inner tube has six sets of holes, any one of which may be brought into line with the holes in the outer tube by means of the setting cap, which is fixed to the inner tube by a spring retaining clip on the closing screw. The inner tube contains gunpowder and is closed at the inner end by a screwed plug which contains a delay pellet. It is used for signaling.

Operation

The desired combination of colored stars is obtained by moving the index mark on the setting cap to the appropriate position on the scale, which is graduated from 0 to 40. The six combinations of stars are:

1		2		3		4		5		6
3 red		1 red		3 red		1 red		2 red		2 red
3 green		2 green		1 green		3 green		2 green		1 green

Commencing with 3 red and 3 green at "0", its other combinations would be obtained at settings 7, 14, 21, 27 and 34 respectively.

In firing, the inner container is ejected and after the delay pellet has burned through, the flash passes immediately along the whole length of the inner tube, igniting and ejecting the stars in accordance with the setting. The stars which are not ignited remain in the container and fall to earth intact.