Free U.S. Army Special Forces Guide to Unconventional Warfare by Department of the Army

fuse cord.)

CHAPTER 5
DELAY MECHANISMS
    0401. CIGARETTE
    a. Description.
This item consists of a bundle of matches wrapped around a lighted cigarette. It is placed directly on easily ignited material. Ignition occurs when the lighted portion of the burning cigarette reaches the match heads. This delay mechanism can be used to initiate all igniters listed in chapter 3 except Magnesium Powder—Barium Peroxide (0210) and Powdered Aluminum—Sulfur Pellets (0207). A cigarette delay directly ignites the following incendiaries: Napalm (0301), Gelled Gasoline (exotic thickeners) (0302), and Gelled Gasoline (improvised thickeners) (0303).
The following dry tinder type materials may also be directly ignited by the cigarette delay mechanism: Straw, paper, hay, woodshavings and rags.
Usually this delay will ignite in 15 to 20 minutes, depending on length of cigarette, make of cigarette, and force of air currents. A duplicate delay mechanism should be tested to determine delay time for various ambient conditions.
The cigarette must be placed so that the flame will travel horizontally or upward. A burning cigarette that is clamped or held will not burn past the point of confinement. Therefore, the cigarette should not contact any object other than matches.
    b. Material and Equipment.
    Cigarette.
Matches (wooden).
Match box.
String or tape.
    c. Preparation.
Picket-fence delay .
( a ) Push one wooden match head into a cigarette a predetermined distance to obtain the approximate delay time.
( b ) Tie or tape matches around the cigarette with the match heads at the same location as the first match in the cigarette.
Match box delay.
    Tear out one end of the inner tray of a box of matches (the end next to the match heads). Push one match into the cigarette. Insert this cigarette into the bunch of matches and parallel to the matches at the center of the pack. Slide the tray out of the inner box, leaving the match heads and the cigarette exposed. The head of the match in the cigarette should be even with the exposed match heads.
    d . Application.
Picket-fence delay .
(a) Light the cigarette and place the delay mechanism on a pile of igniter mixture, paper, straw, or other dry tinder type material. Be sure that the portion of the cigarette between the lit end and the match heads is not touching anything.
(b) Pile tinder material all around the cigarette to enhance ignition when the match heads ignite.
Match box delay.
(a) Place the delay so that the cigarette is horizontal and on top of the material to be ignited. Light the cigarette.
(b) Be sure ignitable material such as paper, straw, flammable solvents, or napalm is placed close to the match heads. When using flammable solvents, light the cigarette away from the area of solvent fumes.
(c) To assure ignition of the target, sprinkle some igniter material on the combustible material. The match box delay is then placed on top of the igniter material.
    0402. GELATIN CAPSULE
    a. Description.

    Gelatin capsule delays work by the action of either water or concentrated sulfuric acid on the gelatin. When the liquid dissolves the gelatin, it contacts and reacts with an igniter mix. These delays can be used with various igniters, are easily prepared and easily carried. The disadvantage is that the delay times vary with temperature and they will not work at or below 32° F. Gelatin capsule delays will work with the following igniters:
Water actuated igniters such as Sugar—Sodium Peroxide (0203), Silver Nitrate—Magnesium Powder (0208), and Aluminum Powder—Sodium Peroxide (0204).
Concentrated sulfuric acid actuated igniters such as Sugar-Chlorate (0201), Fire Fudge (0202), Sugar—Sodium Peroxide (0203) Aluminum Powder—Sodium Peroxide (0204), Match Head (0205), and Silver Nitrate—magnesium Powder (0208).
    b. Material and Equipment .
    Concentrated sulfuric acid or water.
Gelatin capsules (1 fluid ounce capacity).
Igniter mixture.
    Glass jar or bottle with glass or plastic