VS-50 AP Mine (Historical Prop)

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The VS-50 is a circular plastic cased anti-personnel blast mine, once manufactured by the now-defunct Valsella Meccanotecnica SpA, an Italian high-tech defense industry specializing in area denial systems. The company also produced the Valmara 69 and was one of the first to implement plastic construction for landmines worldwide. Similar in design to the TS-50 and VS-MK2 mine, the VS-50 is blast resistant and can be used in a minimum metal configuration. Description: The mine consists of three sections: a bottom section containing the main explosive charge, a middle section housing the fuze and safety/arming mechanism, and a top section consisting of a neoprene pressure pad. The pressure pad may be reinforced with an 18-gram mild steel plate, making it detectable by metal detectors. However, most VS-50s were manufactured as minimal metal mines, making them harder to detect. Operation: A sustained downward force of approximately ten kilograms on the pressure plate for a minimum of 0.10 seconds compresses the firing spring and cocks the striker. Continuous downward movement allows the trigger assembly to pivot, slowly forcing air out of an anti-shock bladder and flipping the striker down into the stab-sensitive M41 detonator, at which point the mine explodes. The air pressure delay mechanism effectively blocks detonation if the force on the pressure plate is short-lived, as air does not have enough time to leave the small anti-shock bladder. This has two direct applications: it allows the mine to be dropped from helicopter mine scattering systems, and it dramatically increases the mine's resistance to explosive-based mine clearance techniques. VS-50AR & VS-AR4 anti-handling devices: The VS-50AR is an electronically fuzed version of the mine containing an integral mercury tilt switch that operates as an anti-handling device. The VS-50AR has a dummy pressure plate on top and its external appearance is very similar to the VS-50, posing challenges for demining personnel. Additionally, Valsella manufactured a separate electronic anti-handling device known as the VS-AR4. This tilt-operated device was specifically designed to be fitted to various Valsella products, including the VS-50 (standard version), Valmara 69 anti-personnel mines, and VS-1.6 and VS-1.2 anti-tank mines. The VS-AR4 features a series of fuze adaptors that allow it to be screwed into the bottom of those mines. It has a 10-minute mechanical arming delay (started by removing a pin) followed by a 30-minute electronic arming delay. The power source is two 1.5 V batteries, and its operational life exceeds one year. Generally, the render-safe procedure for VS-50 mines with anti-handling devices fitted involves detonating them in situ via a donor charge or burning through the plastic casing using special incendiary devices. Countries used in: The mine has been encountered in Afghanistan, Angola, Ecuador, Iraq, Turkey, Kuwait, Lebanon, Peru, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Western Sahara, and Zimbabwe. Produced by Italy Iran Egypt Singapore Sweden