# How NOT to Handle a Large Bomb **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 11, 2004, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-not-to-handle-a-large-bomb/233635 "2004-03-11T04:18:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-not-to-handle-a-large-bomb/233635/1 "2004-03-11T04:18:01Z")
[Somebody got really lucky!](http://img27.photobucket.com/albums/v81/irnsrgn/oops.jpg) Gotta wonder how far the driver ran after he dropped it. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-not-to-handle-a-large-bomb/233635/2 "2004-03-11T04:20:12Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > Gotta wonder how far the driver ran after he dropped it. How far can you run with a load in your pants? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-not-to-handle-a-large-bomb/233635/3 "2004-03-11T14:05:27Z")
Time to get a new job! ---
**Author:** ![fluffball86](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@fluffball86](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluffball86)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-not-to-handle-a-large-bomb/233635/4 "2004-03-11T14:53:30Z")
Would it have gone off? ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-not-to-handle-a-large-bomb/233635/5 "2004-03-11T14:57:08Z")
I know my adrenaline level would shoot up pretty high. However, the explosive in bombs like this is pretty insensitive and takes a hell of a jolt without detonating. Such accidents are not recommended but are not all that uncommon where lots of ordnance is loaded, moved and otherwise handled. Now, if the fuzes had been installed that’s another story. ---
**Author:** ![Horkus\_Boy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4491bb/32.png) [@Horkus\_Boy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horkus_Boy)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-not-to-handle-a-large-bomb/233635/6 "2004-03-11T15:36:06Z")
My first though was, “Photoshop!” But, on the other hand, it was a [photo of the week](http://www.safetycenter.navy.mil/photo/archive/photo36_1.htm) on the Naval Safety Center’s website. On yet a third hand, no source is mentioned, and I don’t know how critical their submission guidelines are. ---
**Author:** ![Capcha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Capcha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capcha)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-not-to-handle-a-large-bomb/233635/7 "2004-03-11T16:18:04Z")
I wonder what was the driver’s last thought was. (or what he believed was his last thought…unless he knew it was ok…just…humor me!) _“Mmm…i cannot belive it’s not butter!”_ Why you staring at me like that? ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-not-to-handle-a-large-bomb/233635/8 "2004-03-11T16:23:49Z")
I’m thinking phtoshop as well. Look at the blur along the top of the bomb. The fork lift lifts the bomb from the end and not the center? I think it’s a fake. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-not-to-handle-a-large-bomb/233635/9 "2004-03-11T16:48:10Z")
The blur along the top of the bomb may just be a jpeg artifact - what makes me a little suspicious is the perimeter fence in the background - doesn’t it look a little bit low-security for a munitions store? (although it may be that the compund pictured exists within another, higher-spec perimeter, of course). ---
**Author:** ![Horkus\_Boy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4491bb/32.png) [@Horkus\_Boy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horkus_Boy)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-not-to-handle-a-large-bomb/233635/10 "2004-03-11T17:39:15Z")
If you look at the bomb’s fins, you’ll see that they each seem to be made of two perpendicular pieces. Then if you look at the left hand side of the photo, you’ll see that there are a stack of similar racks. In the bottom one, you can just make out something that looks consistent with the tail of another bomb. The shadows look reasonable. On the asphalt in front of the bomb is what looks like minor debris and a small crack that could have come from the impact of the ‘tines’ of the forklift. And as for the blurriness of the top edge of the bomb, I think that’s just aliasing. Other sharp lines at a similar angle exhibit the effect as well, the fence in the background for example. These things are at least consistent with a real photo, but not proof. ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-not-to-handle-a-large-bomb/233635/11 "2004-03-11T17:46:33Z")
I was going to say it was probably fake, too, but… [http://www.cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh/missiledrop.htm](http://www.cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh/missiledrop.htm) :eek: There’s a full side shot of the missile itself; any experts out there know what kind of missile it is? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-not-to-handle-a-large-bomb/233635/12 "2004-03-11T18:16:59Z")
> [@Jenaroph](#): > > There’s a full side shot of the missile itself; any experts out there know what kind of missile it is? Not a missile, it’s a bomb. Doesn’t have a booster and the vanes don’t appear to be movable in any way, so I’m guessing it’s some kind of dumb-fire device. Mark-82 or CBU-87, maybe. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-not-to-handle-a-large-bomb/233635/13 "2004-03-11T18:23:22Z")
> [@Jenaroph](#): > > any experts out there know what kind of missile it is? It’s not a missile. It’s a gravity bomb, possibly a JDAM (smart bomb), judging from the lens on the tip. BIG. Probably a 2000 pounder. It kind of looks like a paveway without the tip. They are fairly safe to transport, and need to be armed before you get too nervous. Still, it’s a bomb. It has stuff inside that makes it go “BOOM”. So I wouldn’t want to drop one. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-not-to-handle-a-large-bomb/233635/14 "2004-03-11T18:35:04Z")
> [@Really Not All That Bright](#): > > Not a missile, it’s a bomb. Doesn’t have a booster and the vanes don’t appear to be movable in any way, so I’m guessing it’s some kind of dumb-fire device. Mark-82 or CBU-87, maybe. **Jenaroph** ’s link shows it from better angles. The size puts it over 500 lbs. But I think you were right on the ‘Mark’. I’m ammending my guess to a Mark-84. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-not-to-handle-a-large-bomb/233635/15 "2004-03-11T18:39:28Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > The fork lift lifts the bomb from the end and not the center? > > I think it’s a fake. Isn’t the nose end heavier than the tail end? That would make the center of gravity closer to the nose, so the forklift couldn’t pick it up right in the middle without having it tip over. But he dropped it anyway. Just goes to show you. 😃 Actually, even if the pic isn’t a fake, I think it’s a setup. How could the truck have ended up at that angle against the wall just from tipping forward? Unless maybe he had it in reverse and then hit the accelerator? ---
**Author:** ![peasea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bc79bd/32.png) [@peasea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peasea)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-not-to-handle-a-large-bomb/233635/16 "2004-03-11T18:51:25Z")
> [@NurseCarmen](#): > > It’s not a missile. It’s a gravity bomb, possibly a JDAM (smart bomb), judging from the lens on the tip. A [JDAM](http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/missiles/jdam/flash.html) is not a bomb, despite what the media usually report; it’s a kit that’s put on a variety of dumb bombs to make them smart. The bombs themselves have their own designations. A JDAM does not have any lens on the front of the bomb; it uses GPS and internal instruments. I don’t think that’s lens in the picture anyway, though, but shiny black paint. That said, I don’t think that’s a JDAM because the tail looks different, and there would be more gear around the sides of the bomb. As for what kind of bomb it is, I dunno. ---
**Author:** ![peasea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bc79bd/32.png) [@peasea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peasea)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-not-to-handle-a-large-bomb/233635/17 "2004-03-11T19:00:00Z")
I didn’t see your second post, **NurseCarmen**. I thought maybe it was an MK-80-something also, but it doesn’t look quite like [these pictures](http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/dumb/mk84.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-not-to-handle-a-large-bomb/233635/18 "2004-03-11T19:06:29Z")
Well Jenorph’s link gives some better photos so I guess it is real. The first image looks like the bomb is being picked up at the very front, but that is just the angel. The side shot shows that the bomb is being picked up at its center of gravity. The blur along the top of the bomb is really the blurry line that runs along where the loading ramp meets the ground. It just so happens to come in just above the bomb in the first image. ---
**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-not-to-handle-a-large-bomb/233635/19 "2004-03-11T22:38:21Z")
First off, welcome to the Boards **Hokus Boy**. Secondly, thank you for the link to the wonderful Navy Safety Center’s website. I particularly enjoyed [this](http://www.safetycenter.navy.mil/photo/images/photo39.jpg) image from the site. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-not-to-handle-a-large-bomb/233635/20 "2004-03-11T23:06:18Z")
On the message board that I saw the pic on, one poster made the following comment > [@](#): > > I’ve seen this picture before. > What many people don’t know is that the guy didn’t slip off the dock, he was taking it up onto the dock by popping a reverse wheelie and using momentum to take him up over the top. I think he would have made it too, if he had just lifted the forks a bit higher. No idea where he got that information. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-not-to-handle-a-large-bomb/233635.md?page=2)