The "atomic bomb" up for auction. (Heritage Auctions via SWNS)
By Dean Murray
An atomic bomb is up for auction.
An original 1945 training version of the devastating weapon "Little Boy" is going under the hammer.
Dallas-based Heritage Auctions said the item is a ground training model, produced for the U.S. Army Air Forces to train flight and ordnance crews in preparation for its use.
Photograph of S. Dike Examining Fit of Little Boy Unit in Bomb Bay of Enola Gay. (U.S. National Archives via SWNS)
"Little Boy" was the first nuclear weapon used in war, dropped by the US on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.
It caused an explosion equivalent to 15 kilotons of TNT that killed around 70,000 people instantly and destroyed much of the city. Its use hastened the end of World War II.
Heritage Auctions said: "This is a non-functional but dimensionally accurate mock-up for use with aircraft such as the B-29 Superfortress."
(Heritage Auctions via SWNS)
This model was restored to meet museum-grade standards and is finished in its historically correct black-and-white colour scheme.
The lot has a starting bid of $25,000 in the auction, which is set to close over December 11-12.
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