Weybridge in Surrey, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Tallboy Bomb

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 3, 2018

1. Tallboy Bomb Marker

Inscription. ‘Tallboy’ Bomb (1944/45)
Length 21ft (6.6m) Weight 12,000lb (5,443kg) Designed by Barnes Wallis for Vickers-Armstrong of Brooklands during World War Two, the 12,000lb ‘earthquake’ bomb was used successfully against the German Tirpitz battleship and other important targets. About 1,000 Tallboys were manufactured with a special cast steel body and metal alloy tail section. Three different ‘earthquake’ bombs were designed and were initially known as Tallboy ‘L’, ‘M’, and ‘S’. the ‘L’ design later became ‘Grand Slam’ which, at 22,000 lb (9,979kg) was the largest of Wallis’ wartime weapons.

This particular ‘Tallboy’ was displayed for some years in a recreational park in Heathfield, East Sussex, before passing into private ownership. It was donated to Brooklands Museum in 1999.

( photo caption )
Damage caused to the E Boat pens at Boulogne (main) and damage to the rail tunnel at Saumer (above). Tallboy bombs were used in both raids.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II.

Location. 51° 21.309′ N, 0° 27.867′ W. Marker is in Weybridge, England, in Surrey. Memorial can be reached from the intersection of Brooklands Road and Wellington Way, on the left when traveling west. Located

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at the Brooklands Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Weybridge, England KT13 0QN, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Miss Milly Tant (within shouting distance of this marker); BAC/Aerospatiale Concorde (within shouting distance of this marker); Rolls-Royce/SNECMA Olympus 593 (within shouting distance of this marker); Jetstream T Mk. 1 (within shouting distance of this marker); BAC/Hunting Jet Provost (within shouting distance of this marker); Sir Henry Birkin Bt (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Vickers 1103 VC-10 (about 90 meters away); Vickers Merchantman (about 90 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Weybridge.

Regarding Tallboy Bomb. The Tallboy bomb could only be carried by the Avro Lancaster heavy bomber. The fins were given a slight twist so that the bomb spun as it fell. It was dropped from an altitude of 18,000 ft (5,500 m), reaching 750 mph (1,210 km/h). It made a crater 80 ft (24 m) deep and 100 ft (30 m) across and could go through 16 ft (4.9 m) of concrete.

Also see . . .
1. Tallboy (bomb) on Wikipedia. (Submitted on June 4, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Brooklands Museum. (Submitted on June 4, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Tallboy Bomb image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 3, 2018

2. Tallboy Bomb

3. Brooklands on Wikipedia. (Submitted on June 4, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 3, 2018

3. Tallboy Bomb

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 248 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 4, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.