BVM Bombs
A New Flying Challenge

Delivering an inert weapon (practice bomb) onto a simulated ground target from a high angle dive can be challenging and a lot of fun, especially if you are competing against your buddies for accuracy.
Dropping bombs has been done to some degree in scale competition but by relatively few R/C pilots.
We thought that if the necessary equipment was available, inexpensive, repairable and easy to install and use, more modelers would get involved. BVM has developed the components and can now offer a complete "bomb for fun" system.
The bombs themselves are in kit form consisting of vacuum formed shells with a balsa keel and formers, laser cut poly ply tail fins and then the nose cone is foam filled.

BVM Bomb kit

Durable? You bet!

It took us awhile to develop an inexpensive bomb that would take a 150+ mph impact on hard turf (not pavement) and not break, and we did. No guarantees of course, but except for scratching the paint, we find that after many practice drops, the BVM Bombs are extremely durable.
Plan on about 1/2 hour to assemble each bomb and then add paint if you like.
Tamiya has some great dark green colors and then you can apply some white primer to the aft section and spray with florescent orange, red or yellow to help spot them in the grass.
For competition purposes, you will want to somehow personalize your bombs.

Pylons
For EZ-DROP release

Many BVM Jets have pylon kits available that will contain the air operated EZ-DROP bomb release mechanism. We now offer a quick-to-assemble (no paint required) pair of pylons for the KingCat.

It is quite possible to adapt one of these two sizes to other models as well. See drawing below for wing bottom curvature.

Complete KingCat pylon package
(includes EZ-DROPs, air valves w/laser cut servo mount, pylons with all hardware).

Selected Release

Since we are carrying two bombs, it is desirable to make two separate target attacks to better our chances of getting close to the bullseye. This simple two valve setup will allow you to select (knob on transmitter) and release one bomb at a time. Dial left for the left bomb, dial right for the right bomb, then use over travel on the Aux channel to activate it with the snap roll button for an instantaneous bomb release.

Bombing Pattern

click for drawing

This racetrack pattern is typical of that used by the NAVY and Air Force for making multiple practice bombing runs during the Vietnam era when we were using mostly unguided or "dumb" bombs.
The steep dive angle offers accuracy. Just make sure you don't watch the bomb after release - it could be fatal to your model just as target fixation was in the real fighter/bomber aircraft.
Set the target about 150ft in front of the flight line in a flat grassy area.
Make multiple "dry runs" to get the pattern established, then release one bomb per run.
Generally, rookie "attack pilots" will make their first drops too far out and short of the target.
If the bomb releases late, loosen the eye screws one-half to a full turn to avoid preload on the EZ-DROP plunger.

A New Dimension

Practice (or competition) bombing can add a new dimension to jet events and our everyday jet flying fun.
It is intended of course for fairly experienced pilots. Please be careful about where you toss these things. They are light in weight and the rubber stopper is intended to blunt off-target impact. Extra rubber stoppers are readily available should you loose them.