US GP 100lb AN-M30A1 Bombs

Brengun, 1/32 scale

Reviewed by David Couche

This is the American AN-M30 or AN-30A1, a 100lb general-purpose high-explosive (HE) aircraft bomb. The only apparent difference between the M30 and M30A1 is the M30A1 has anti- withdraw pins for fuzes. The M30 has a larger explosive charge. The GP and M series bombs of 100-pound weight have the same dimensions.

 
The GP is distinguishable from the M-series by the fact that it has a base plug in the tail and a single suspension lug in addition to two Army lugs. The old GP bombs are a relatively thin-cased bomb with an ogival nose, parallel sidewalls and a tapered aft section.

It uses both the box type and conical type fin assembly. The box-type fin assembly is secured to the aft end of the bomb with a fin locknut, while the conical-type fin assembly is secured to the bomb body using a support tube. The two Army lugs are 14 inches apart, each 7 inches from the centre of gravity. The AN-M30 was used from the mid 1930’s until the Korean War.

 
These bombs were carried by a huge range of aircraft including;

A-26, A-36, F-4U (photograph below), F-84, PBJ-1, XA-38, Hudson Mk VB-18, B-24, B-25, B-26, OS2U, PB4Y, PBM, PBY-5, SB2U, SBD, TBD and a number more of lesser known aircraft.
 
*Text from Wikipedia

The US GP 100lb AN-M30A1 bombs set is supplied in a cardboard backed plastic container. The 60 resin pieces are on separate resin cast blocks. Each casting are fault free and with lovely crisp detail.

A small attachment point is at the base of the bombs which is a flat cylindrical section, after removal will need only minimum clean up. The body detail consists of the 2 upper and one lower suspension stubs, some detail on the fuse section on the nose and rear of each bomb. Again, no obvious casting flaws and really nice detail.

There is a small photoetch sheet which has the box type of fins. These are one piece and need to be bent into the square shape. This sheet also gives you the nose fuse props as well as the covers and props for the tail fuse. The rear section requires- some small diameter plastic rod.

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The instructions are on a small sheet with only on step in their construction. There are and silver used. The supplied decal sheet has all o that are on the bombs, 3 for each bomb, as well as yellow nose and rear bands. Over olive drab paint, to me, it seems as if they will not be quite yellow enough and you may want to paint these bands.   

The Brengun US GP 100lb AN-M30A1 bombs set will certainly add some quality detail to your models.  The real bonus with this set is that, so many types of aircraft used these bombs over a long period, this will give you so many options especially in that a lot of these aircraft only carried one under each wing, so at least a couple of different aircraft can bet modelled.   I would recommend this set for the great detail, ease of construction and because it can be used in so many places, making it a good value- purchase.

Thanks to Brengun for the review sample.

Review Text Copyright © 2022 David Couche
Images Copyright © 2022 Brett Green
Page Created 17 May, 2022
Last updated 17 May, 2022

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