Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. M38A2 100 lb. Practice Aerial Bomb from the WWII / Korean War era. The bomb has been completely repainted in grey for display and remains a substantial full-size example of the type, measuring approximately 48 inches tall.

Not Available for Export.

The bomb remains in very good overall condition for its age despite the repainting. Minor oxidation is present where the underlying steel has been exposed, especially towards the tail fin assembly. There is no major crushing or severe deformation evident.

The M38A2 was a full-size practice bomb designed to reproduce the handling and ballistic characteristics of a service General Purpose bomb without requiring a live high-explosive filling. Its relatively light sheet-metal construction consists of a cylindrical center body, rounded nose, conical tail section, and the characteristic box-type fin assembly.

For training use, the hollow bomb body could be filled with sand to bring the assembly up to its intended practice weight. A spotting charge could also be installed at the rear within the fin assembly so that the point of impact could be observed during bombing exercises.

The M1A1, M3, and M5 spotting charges were authorized for use with the M38A2. The empty bomb weighed approximately 14 to 16 pounds, while a bomb prepared for training with sand and a spotting charge reached approximately 100 pounds.

The combination of the full-size M38A2 configuration, original sheet-metal body, complete box-fin tail assembly, approximately 48-inch height, and surviving structural integrity makes this a strong representative example of U.S. aerial bombing training equipment from the WWII and early Cold War period. The later grey repaint is readily apparent, but the bomb remains an impressive inert display piece illustrating the equipment used to train American aircrews in full-scale bombing practice.

Totally inert, cannot be converted to an explosive device, not available for export. This item is completely legal within the USA. International Military Antiques, Inc observes all Federal, State and Local laws. Everything for sale on ima-usa.com is completely legal to own, trade, transport and sell within the United States of America.

All deactivated ordnance sold by IMA, Inc is engineered to be inoperable according to guidelines provided by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF).