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Container Light Equipment
(Drop Container)

from AIrborne Force Manual

 

General

 

Paratroop supplies are packed in containers or slung in harnesses and are usually dropped by means of parachutes from the bomb stations of paratroop-carrying aircraft

 

  1. The C.L.E. Mark I container is fully described in A.P.I 180A, Vol. I, Part 2, Sect. 1, Chap. 1. The container comprises a metal framework, faced with plywood, and is made in halves which are hinged along their length to make an approximate cylinder when closed. It can be carried by and released from a 500 lb. or a Universal bomb carrier. One end of the container (the forward end when loaded on an aircraft) is domed to form a percussion head and to house an identification lighting set when required. The other end of the container provides stowage for the Mark I parachute and pack described in A.P.I 180A, Vol. I, Part 2, Sect. 2, Chap. 1. The weights of the C.L.E. Mark I container and parachute are 103 lb. net and 350 lb. gross (max.).
     

Stores Ref. numbers

 

  1. The Stores Ref. number of the C.L.E. Mark I container is 15C/89; that for the C.L.E. Mark I parachute is 15C/90-95, the serial numbers referring to different coloured canopies

Packings for C.L.E. Mark I containers {see fig. 2)

 

4 Containers used for paratroop supplies equipment are packed by the paratroop section concerned who work from instructions issued by Airborne Division relative to a given operation. A series of Air Diagrams, Nos. A.D.2349 et seq., has been issued to illustrate certain standard packing arrangements. One of these diagrams is reproduced in miniature in fig. 2. It should be noted that the aircraft numbers appearing in these diagrams are representative only and may vary with each operation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C.L.E. Mark I.T. container (see fig. 1)

 

  1. The C.L.E. Mark I.T. container is fully described in A.P.I 180A, Vol. I, Part 2, Sect. 1, Chap. 1. It is a replica of the Mark I container except in regard to the outer covering which is of metal instead of plywood. The carrying capacity of this container and the type of parachute used are the same as for the Mark I container described in paras. 2 and 4. The weights of the C.L.E. Mark I.T. container and parachute are 135 lb. nett and 350 lb. gross (max.).

 

Stores Ref. number

 

  1. The Stores Ref. number of the C.L.E. Mark I.T. container is 15C/119.

 

C.L.E. Mark III container (see fig. 1)

 

  1. The C.L.E. Mark III container is fully described in A.P.I 180A, Vol. I, Part 2, Sect. 1, Chap. 2. It is generally similar to the Mark I and Mark I.T. containers and may be faced either with a plywood skin or metal covering. Its length is 8 in. less than that of the Mark I, and, when closed, its cross section is exactly circular. A percussion head with provision for an identification lighting set is fitted at one end of the container. The other end provides stowage for the Mark I parachute and pack. The weights of the C.L.E. Mark III container and parachute are 113 1/2 lb. net and 350 lb. gross (max.).

  2. The Mark III container is intended to supersede the Mark I and Mark I.T. types for all packings except those requiring the additional length of the earlier types.

 

Stores Ref. number

 

  1. The Stores Ref. number of the C.L.E. Mark III container is 15C/165. In addition to the C.L.E. Mark I parachute, Stores Ref. 15C/90-95, the Type C parachute, '"tores Ref. 15C/63, may also be used with the Mark III container.

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