37 lines
2.3 KiB
Plaintext
37 lines
2.3 KiB
Plaintext
Composition C-4
|
|
|
|
This is the standard-issue plastic explosive used by the U.S. military.
|
|
I recieved most of my early demo training in the army, which spoiled me for
|
|
C-4. It retains its moldability over a wider range of temperatures, doesn't
|
|
exude liquid (as does Semtex), and is pound-for-pound the most powerful
|
|
explosive in common use. Its power, stability, and versatility are un-
|
|
equalled. C-4 is in such demand and so well thought of that Muammar al-
|
|
Quaddafi paid Edwin Wilson an exorbitant sum for 20 tons, even though he
|
|
could get all of the Semtex he wanted on the open market for a much-lower
|
|
price.
|
|
With a few simple modifications, C-4 becomes even more versatile. If you
|
|
mix 7 fluid ounces of mineral oil with a 1 1/4 pound bar, you get an exc-
|
|
ellent paste explosive, roughly equivalent in power to TNT, and capable of
|
|
sticking to almost anything. Sealed inside flat plastic bags, this mix can
|
|
secreted in any number of useful spots (softsided luggage, for instance).
|
|
One note of caution should be mentioned. With C-4 or any plastic explo-
|
|
sive, the use should avoid mashing it when loading it into special devices
|
|
or preparing charges. The sectional density of an explosive has a direct
|
|
bearing on its power and velocity. The explosive packages are press-loaded
|
|
to their optimum density for highest performance. This it not to say that
|
|
they will not explode when used in this manner, but they will not utilize
|
|
their fullexplosive potential.
|
|
Sometimes commercial number 8 blasting caps will not detonate C-4, which
|
|
was formulated for use with the more powerful J-2 military caps. In this
|
|
case, two number 8s can be taped together, or some of its RDX can be extr-
|
|
acted to use as a booster. To do this, a small lump (about 1 ounce) of C-4
|
|
is put into a cup of gasoline. The lump can be broken apart with a fork. Let
|
|
it sit for an hour or so. The RDX should have separated from the plastic,
|
|
which is soluble in gasoline, to form a white powder at the bottom of the
|
|
container. This residue is filtered out of the gasoline and washed on the
|
|
filter with a little more gas. Letting it sit overnight will evaporate any
|
|
residual gas. Find a tube that will snugly fit the balsting cap and hammer
|
|
one end closed. One or two grams of the RDX is pressed into the bottom of
|
|
the tube, and the blasting cap is inserted and taped into place.
|
|
|