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Highball bomb reveals its final secret
AN UNEXPLODED SECOND WORLD WAR BOMB KNOWN AS A ‘ HIGHBALL ’ and retrieved by a team of BSAC divers from a Scottish loch has revealed one final secret before going on display .
Restorers at the De Havilland Aircraft Museum in St Albans have discovered a pistol hidden in the base of the Highball bomb ; had it been live , it would have been triggered by the pressure of the water to fire the explosion .
Retrieved from Loch Striven in the Firth of Clyde , the Highball bomb was one of two to be lifted as part of a BSAC diver-led expedition , known as Project Highball , back in 2017 .
The team of 12 BSAC divers behind the expedition said they were amazed by the latest development in the Project Highball story .
Speaking on behalf of the team , Mark Paisey of East Cheshire SAC , said the discovery of the pistol had come as a complete surprise .
“ When we lifted the Highballs , we didn ’ t know about the pistol . The bombs carried no explosives as it was a test run , but it makes complete sense that the pistols were tested with inert rounds at the time .”
It has since been revealed that the pistol was intended to detonate the bomb ’ s charge when the Highball reached a certain depth .
“ At the time we described Project Highball as ‘ the project that kept on giving ’ and this discovery just proves the case !” Mark added .
In 1943 , more than 200 Highballs were dropped into the loch as a test run by the Royal Navy . The bombs were the naval version of the Upkeep bouncing bombs used by the RAF in the famous Dam Busters raid and inventor Sir Barnes Wallis designed both bombs to bounce across the water .
While the Highballs were never actually used in combat , archive footage of the Highballs being tested at Loch Striven can be seen in the 1955 ‘ The Dam Busters ’ film .
The fully restored Highball bomb with its hidden pistol is now on display at the De
Havilland Museum , almost four years after the Project Highball team lifted it . “ We always knew that once restored the Highball would go on display ,” said Mark . “ The whole team is very pleased that the project circle from inception through restoration is now complete .”
AFTER A COVID-ENFORCED DIVING BREAK , getting back into the water and making the most of the UK ’ s spectacular diving has been extra special this summer . So , if your drysuit is looking a little past its best after being in storage , or you simply fancy treating yourself , then check out Otter Drysuits ’ fantastic discount offer for all BSAC members .
BSAC kit partner Otter is continuing with its 10 % off the RRP of its Atlantic and Britannic MK2 Telescopic suits . This offer is exclusively for BSAC members , which all adds to the money you can save as part of your membership .
Bradford-based Otter has been a leading specialist in made-to-measure drysuits for over 30 years , and is a popular choice for UK divers . With customer service at the heart of the business , their drysuits are durable , flexible and comfortable to wear .
And , with two of Otter ’ s membrane drysuit bestsellers – the Atlantic and Britannic MK2 Telescopic – covered by the 10 % discount for BSAC members , you now have even more reason to consider adding to your dive kit collection !
■ How to get your exclusive 10 % discount with Otter
■ Save more as a BSAC member
From scuba gear , diving holidays and diver insurance to everyday purchases on food , online shopping and retail with BSAC Plus – check out our full range of BSAC member discounts today at
bsac . com / benefits
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