TM 31-210 - Improvised Munitions Handbook - Section V

MATERIALS REQUIRED:	SOURCE:

Shellac	Hardware or paint store
Sulfur	Drug or agricultural supply store
Aluminum powder (bronzing)	Hardware or paint store
Black iron oxide	Section V, No. 7
Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)	Food store
Improvised white flare mix	Section V, No. 6
Window screen
Wooden rod or stick
Tablespoon
Quart jar with lid
Newspaper
Wooden block
Fuse, 15 inches long
Tin can, 2-1/2 inches diameter x 5 inches long
Aluminum foil
Flame source (matches, lighter, etc.)

PROCEDURE:

1. Measure 6 firm level tablespoons of sulfur into a quart jar.
2. Add 7 firm level tablespoons of sodium bicarbonate to the sulfur.
3. Add 3 heaping tablespoons of black iron oxide.
4. Place the lid on the quart jar and shake ingredients 10 times.
5. Place the mixed ingredients on the window screen.
6. Mix ingredients thoroughly by forcing material through screen mesh onto the newspaper, using a wooden rod or stick. Repeat screen 2 times to insure thorough mixing.
7. Pour mixed ingredients back into the jar.
8. Add 20 heaping tablespoons of aluminum powder to the ingredients.
9. Add while stirring the least amount of shellac to moisten mixture.
10. Force moistened mix through screen mesh onto the newspaper as in Step 6. Store mixture until ready for Step 14.
11. Measure on heaping teaspoon of white flare mix onto a 4 inch square piece of aluminum foil.
12. Knot one end of the fuse and place the knot onto the mix.
13. Fold the corners of the foil tightly around the fuse.
14. Now place the yellow flare mix into the can.
15. Place the fused white flare mix in the foil below the surface of the yellow flare mix in the can.
16. Light the fuse with the flame source when ready.

Section V	No. 8
IMPROVISED YELLOW FLARE

A yellow flare can be made from shellac, sulfur, aluminum powder, iron oxide and baking soda. I can be used wither for signaling or lighting up a dark area.