IN times of war, it is capable of hammering its way through 14ft of reinforced concrete and blowing everything around it to kingdom come.

Fortunately, this is one laser-guided bomb whose purpose as a museum exhibit is altogether more peaceful.

The Paveway III practice bomb has been passed on to the Eden Camp wartime theme museum, near Malton, North Yorkshire, by the RAF Bomb Disposal Association.

The association has its memorial at the museum - which is housed in a former prisoner-of-war camp.

The bomb now stands outside a hut devoted to conflicts which have taken place since the Second World War.

In action, the Paveway III is a laser-guided bomb fitted with a 2,000lb hardened target penetrator warhead, with a precision-guidance package that follows the laser designation of a target.

They were used by the RAF during the Gulf War against a variety of hardened targets, including bunkers.

Published: 07/02/2006