Ranken dart

The Ranken Dart was a weapon developed during World War I for the purpose of destroying or damaging the German Zeppelins which were attacking Britain at the time. It was an air-dropped 1 lb explosive flechette-type of missile-shaped bomb which was usually carried in packs of 24; the darts could be dropped individually or all at once. Aircraft equipped with Ranken darts had to climb above their targets, before dropping them. It entered service in February 1916.[1]

Ranken Darts became obsolete with the advent of the combination of explosive and incendiary ammunition fired from .303 Vickers and Lewis guns mounted on fighter aircraft.

Sectioned Ranken Dart in the Imperial War Museum collection

References
  1. London 1914-1917 - The Zeppelin Menace. Ian Castle. Osprey Puplishing, 2008.


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