TheSwiatecki bomb slip was a slip bomb device ofPolish inventorWładysław Świątecki used in many Allied bombers during World War II.
Świątecki designed a bomb-release system in 1923. His invention waspatented in 1926 in Poland and abroad. The first use was planned for theKaraś P.23 light bomber[1] and forŁoś bomber[2] but not used. From 1930 the inventor produced the "Swiatecki bomb slip" in own branch inLublin. First use of his invention took place in 1925 when thePolish Navy mounted it in imported aircraft -CANT Z.506B. Świątecki sold licences from 1937 to France - Gardy, and Italy -Caproni.
After theInvasion of Poland in 1939 Świątecki evacuated toHungary and viaYugoslavia and Italy to France (Paris) where he worked as engineer in military industry. Then, whenFrance collapsed in June 1940, he escaped again, with his family, travelling toNorth Africa and then by ship to England. There he demonstrated his device to theMinistry of Aircraft Production. He went on to serve in theRoyal Air Force as aFlight Lieutenant.
The slip device was modified for use in theLancasters of9,12 and617 Squadrons of the Royal Air Force for the use of theTallboy andGrand Slam giant aerial bombs. TheBoeing B-29 was modified to carry Grand Slam and Tallboy and the giant 42,000 lb (19 t)T-12 bomb, the slip device (TheD-9 carrier) was a modification of the Swiatecki bomb slip. These weapons were the largest air-dropped bombs before theatomic bomb. InProject Harken andProject Ruby the Swiatecki devices performed flawlessly.
Hisslip device was the subject of debate at theRoyal Commission on Awards to Inventors from 1946 to 1955. The Ministry claimed the device was invented at theRoyal Aircraft Establishment,Farnborough and developed byVickers Armstrongs. The family received anex gratia award of £350.
In 1943, an updated version of Świątecki invention was created byJerzy Rudlicki for the AmericanBoeing B-17 Flying Fortress.[3]