VS-50 AP Mine (Historical Prop)

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The VS-50 is a circular plastic cased anti-personnel blast mine manufactured by Valsella Meccanotecnica SpA, an Italian high-tech defence industry specialized in area denial systems. The design is similar to the TS-50 and VS-MK2 mine. It is blast resistant and can be used in a minimum metal configuration. Although unlikely to kill, the explosive charge contained within the VS-50 is sufficient to destroy the victim's foot: the blast penetrates 5 mm of mild steel leaving an 80 mm-diameter hole. The mine consists of three sections: a bottom section with the main explosive charge, a middle section containing the fuze and safety/arming mechanism, and a top section consisting of a neoprene pressure pad. The neoprene pressure pad is sometimes 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. The case is waterproof and can be used in water up to one meter deep. The mine can be deployed by helicopters or ground vehicles or laid by hand. 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 the air out of an anti-shock bladder and flips 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 of short duration, because 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. The VS-50AR and VS-AR4 are anti-handling devices that contain an integral mercury tilt switch. The VS-50AR contains a reduced explosive charge, but is still sufficient to blow the victim's hands off. Valsella also manufactured the VS-AR4, a tilt-operated device specifically designed for use with Valsella products. The render safe procedure for VS-50 mines with anti-handling devices fitted is to detonate them in situ via a donor charge, or burn through the plastic casing using some form of special incendiary device. The mine has been encountered in several countries, including Afghanistan, Angola, Ecuador, Iraq, Turkey, Kuwait, Lebanon, Peru, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe. The VS-50 was manufactured by Valsella Meccanotecnica SpA, an Italian high-tech defence industry. It weighs 185 grams, contains 43 grams of phlegmatized RDX, has a diameter of 90 mm, and height of 45 mm. The operating pressure is 10 kg. Variants include the VS-50 EO3, SPM-1, YM-IB, and T/79.