342-FH-3B23426:   Japanese balloons, Fu-Go, found in California with weight release mechanism shown.   The incendiary bombs are in same positions as originally found; the sand bags are suspended from the proper plugs not in the same order as found.  Three incendiaries and six sand bags are shown.  This picture is marked with explanations showing the “Brain Center” of the balloons.  It should be borne in mind that after the balloon was released from Japan, it rose to about 30,000 feet, then it carried westward by swift currents which prevailed at high altitudes during Winter 1945.  It was necessary for the balloons to hold these altitudes for more than three four days, the time required to make the trip to North America.  This device was designed just for that purpose, and, in addition, dropped its bombs at the end of the journey, setting off on a self-destroying mechanism.  U.S. Army Air Corps (Air Force) photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.  (5/26/2015).
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/127906254@N06">National Museum of the U.S. Navy</a>
2015-05-26 10:14
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