Blockbuster (HC 4000)
UK · 1941 · 4 tons TNT · conventional high-explosive
Overview
British "cookie" blast bomb.
With a yield of 4 tons TNT, the Blockbuster (HC 4000) is 3750× smaller than the Hiroshima bomb. It is a conventional high-explosive weapon that releases its energy through chemical reactions, not nuclear processes.
Blockbuster (HC 4000) Blast Effects
The table below shows the calculated radius of each effect zone for an air burst (optimal altitude, maximum blast spread) and a surface burst (ground level, with massive radioactive fallout). Formulas are scaling laws from The Effects of Nuclear Weapons (Glasstone & Dolan, 1977).
| Effect zone | Air burst | Surface burst |
|---|---|---|
| Fireball radius | 0.02 km | 0.01 km |
| Severe blast (20 PSI) | 0.08 km | 0.04 km |
| Moderate blast (5 PSI) | 0.17 km | 0.09 km |
| Light blast (1 PSI) | 0.47 km | 0.26 km |
| 3rd-degree thermal burns | 0.07 km | 0.04 km |
| 2nd-degree thermal burns | 0.12 km | 0.07 km |
| Lethal fallout zone | minimal | ~1.3 km |
All values are 1-D ground-distance estimates from the detonation point. Real-world effects depend on terrain, weather, and building construction.
Run the Blockbuster (HC 4000) on a City
Use the interactive simulator to detonate the Blockbuster (HC 4000) on any city worldwide. Click any location on the map to see the fireball, blast, and thermal radii overlaid on real geography with population-density-based casualty estimates.
🎯 Simulate Blockbuster (HC 4000)Related Weapons
FAQ
How big is the Blockbuster (HC 4000) blast radius?
In an air burst, the Blockbuster (HC 4000) produces a fireball roughly 0.02 km in radius and a 5 PSI moderate-blast zone of about 0.17 km — the area in which most residential buildings would collapse. The 1 PSI light-damage radius extends to roughly 0.47 km, where windows shatter.
What is the yield of the Blockbuster (HC 4000)?
The Blockbuster (HC 4000) has a yield of 4 tons TNT of TNT equivalent. That is 3750× smaller than the Hiroshima bomb.
Is the Blockbuster (HC 4000) bigger than the Hiroshima bomb?
The Hiroshima bomb (Little Boy) had a yield of approximately 15 kilotons. The Blockbuster (HC 4000) at 4 tons TNT is 3750× smaller than the Hiroshima bomb.