Medium Capacity Bombs (MC)

• 500 lb.. MC.

  First introduced in to the Command's inventory at the end of 1941, the bomb contained twice as much explosive and its General Purpose equivalent and became a mainstay for bombing operations. Normally making up the balance of any bomb load which contained a 4,000 lb.. HC "Cookie".

• 1,000 lb.. MC

  Introduced in the spring of 1943, the 1,000 lb.. MC bomb was a very effective and efficient. Its use however was often limited as inventory levels always appear to have been inadequate to meet the Command's demand. Rationing of the bomb was actually introduced during 1944, partly due to the demands placed on the Command supporting the D-day invasion forces.

• 4,000 lb.. MC

  Not to be mistaken for the 4,000 lb.. HC "Cookie" the 4,000 lb.. MC was originally designed for low level bombing operations and entered service in January 1943. It's immediate use was limited by the fact that only the Avro Lancaster's bomb bay was of sufficient size to carry it and then only one bomb per aircraft could be carried to the target. With the introduction of the deHavilland Mosquito the 4,000 lb.. MC bomb found a new lease on life and was dropped from high altitude by this aircraft from the autumn of 1944 onwards.