Published on
August 29, 2010 in
German.
This rocket is very streamlined and in outward appearance resembles an artillery projectile. All metal components of the body are machined inside and out and appear to be of mild steel.
A complete round of this ammunition is made up of the following components (see photograph above):
(a) Nozzle assembly containing 22 orifices evenly spaced around the rim of the nozzle. These orifices are set an an angle of 16° from the axis of the rocket. This angle gives the rocket clockwise rotation in flight besides providing forward thrust. In the center of the nozzle there is an ignition hole which receives the electric squib.
(b) Motor body having two bourrelet surfaces.
(c) High-explosive body containing 22.4 pounds of TNT. It is made of mild steel with fairly thick walls and is threaded on its base and screwed into the motor body.
(d) False ogive, which completes the streamlined contour of the rocket.
(e) Trap, a casting painted rust red. Between the trap and the nozzle there is a tinfoil disk which is used as a moisture and dirt seal.
(f) Black powder base igniter.
(g) Igniter wick, a celluloid tube containing a charge of quickmatch.
(h) Propellant charge consisting of seven sticks 21.67 inches long and 2.46 inches in external diameter.
(i) Spacer to hold the head igniter in place and allow for the proper ignition of the entire propellant.
(j) Igniter.
(k) Booster cup.
(l) Point-detonating fuze.
(m) Wooden actuating rod.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight of projectile as fired |
|
241.30 lb. |
| Weight of TNT bursting charge |
|
22.40 lb. |
| Weight of propellant powder |
|
39.50 lb. |
| Weight of high-explosive body |
|
65.25 lb. |
| Weight of propellant body |
|
87.75 lb. |
| Weight of nozzle assembly |
|
5.12 lb. |
| Length |
|
49.21 ins. |
| Diameter |
|
8.27 ins. |
German: p. 355
Published on
January 18, 2010 in
Japanese.
This ground-launched rocket is fired from a trough shaped launcher approximately 7 feet long, which weighs approximately 175 pounds. The Japanese claim a range of 1,800 meters (1,970 yds.) at 50° elevation. The rocket is spin-stabilized, rotating in a clockwise direction. The complete round, without fuze, is approximately 41 inches long and weighs 198.3 pounds.
The projectile has a straight body and an ogival nose. It is fitted with a centrifugally armed point detonating fuze. In addition to this standard fuze, the Type 91 Time, Type 100 Combination, and Type 88 P.D. fuzes will also fit the fuze pocket. However, it is not known whether the rocket will produce sufficient setback to arm these fuzes. The explosive charge, Type 91 (trinitroanisol), is cast directly into the lacquered interior of the case. The base plate which screws into the projectile body is also threaded to take the motor.
The motor body, a straight cylinder, is closed at the rear by a base plate to which a grid is attached. A perforated cup fits against the motor closing plate at the forward end. Seven sticks of propellant (nitroglycerine, nitrocellulose, NaCl, and centralite) fit securely into the combustion chamber between the perforated cup and the grid. Six sticks form a circle around an identical central stick; all have only a single axial perforation.
The motor base plate of hardened steel has six offset nozzles and a central threaded opening for a percussion type primer. Ignition is mechanical and from the forward end. A black silk powder bag lashed to the perforated cup forms the ignition charge.
SPECIFICATIONS
| PROJECTILE |
| Weight of projectile without fuze |
|
49.9 kg.–110 lbs. |
| Weight of high explosive filling |
|
17.5 kg.–38.6 lbs. |
| Overall length of projectile without fuze |
|
588.0 mm–23.14 ins. |
| Minimum diameter of orifices |
|
15.0 mm–.591 ins. |
| Angular cant of nozzles |
|
25° |
| Diameter of body |
|
210.5 mm (approx. 8.30 ins.) |
| Wall thickness |
|
12.0 mm–.472 in. |
| MOTOR |
| Overall length of motor body |
|
460 mm–18.11 ins. |
| Weight with propellant |
|
40.0 kg.–88 lbs. |
| Weight of propellant |
|
8.3 kg.–18.3 lbs. |
| Weight of black powder ignition charge |
|
50.6 grams–1.77 ozs. |
| Wall thickness |
|
10.0 mm–.39 in. |
| Length of propellant sticks |
|
290.0 mm–11.41 ins. |
| Diameter of propellant sticks |
|
58.0 mm–2.28 ins. |
| Diameter of perforation |
|
11.0 mm–.43 in. |
| Weight of propellant sticks (each–varies slightly) |
|
1.162 kg.–2.56 lbs. |
Japanese: p. 352 (April 1, 1945)
Published on
January 18, 2010 in
Japanese.
This is a device designed to propel the 60 kg. (132 lbs.) aircraft bomb out of an inclined trough.
The launcher is constructed of wood and metal with legs made of iron pipe. The rear is attached by a pin to a base plate with six wedge cut ground pins. The launcher channel is a right angle trough about twenty feet long with a motor and bomb positioner made of 1/8-inch pierced sheet metal. This is “V” shaped, (The motor and bomb positioner is not shown in the schematic sketch above.) slightly over four feet long, and hinged at three points on the lower right side of the launcher. Elevation is controlled by cables run from the base plate to the legs, and between the legs.
The rocket motor resembles a blunt, short-bodied bomb. The propellant container is a cylinder with a cap welded on the front and a tail assembly and venturi tube secured on the rear. The propellant which weighs 12.94 pounds consists of three cylindrical sticks tied in a yellow silk bag. It is ignited by an igniter pad and an igniter fuze in the forward part of the motor by means of wires leading to a small hand blasting machine. When fired the motor propels the bomb from the launcher and then drops off. Ranges up to 1,300 yards are claimed by the Japanese for this device, but it is felt that little, if any, accuracy may be expected. It is evidently designed to deliver fire on beachheads and other similar wide targets at fairly short ranges.
SPECIFICATIONS
| LAUNCHER |
| Length of launcher (overall) | | 19 ft., 10 ins. |
| Width at leg shoes | | 8 ft., 5.5 ins. |
| Height at 30° range setting | | 11 ft. |
| Length of leg | | 12 ft., 4 ins. |
| Diameter of leg | | 1.75 ins. |
| Width outside of trough at base | | 10 ins. |
| Width outside of trough at front | | 7.5 ins. |
| Width inside of trough at base | | 8.5 ins. |
| Width inside of trough at front | | 6 ins. |
| Length of cable from baseplate to leg | | 20 ft., 3 ins. |
| ROCKET MOTOR |
| Length of motor and bomb positioner (overall) | | 4 ft., 3 ins. |
| Length of motor (overall) | | 33 ins. |
| Length of propellant cylinder | | 11.5 ins. |
| Diameter of propellant cylinder (outside) | | 7.44 ins. |
| Diameter of venturi tube (outside) | | 1.5 ins. |
| Length of tail fin | | 11.75 ins. |
| Width of tail fin | | 3.625 ins. |
| Width of tail, fin to fin | | 11.875 ins. |
Japanese: p. 351 (April 1, 1945)
Published on
January 10, 2010 in
German.
This is a rocket projectile of conventional design, but having instead of the usual high explosive filling a number of propaganda leaflets in the forward compartment. The projectile consists basically of two steel tubes screwed into a central sleeve. The upper tube carries the propaganda leaflets and is closed at the forward end by a bakelite ballistic cap; a small bursting charge in the sleeve serves to expel the leaflets. The lower tube contains the propellant and is closed at the lower end by a screwed-in base plug.
The leaflets are wrapped around a steel spring and are in turn inclosed in a light metal cylinder split horizontally. The ejection charge for the leaflets is fired by an igniter and a delay train when the split cylinder containing the leaflets is ejected; the spring around which the leaflets are wrapped forces apart the two halves of the cylinder and scatters the leaflets.
The projector used for launching the rocket is of simple design and construction. The base frame is formed of 1 1/4-inch tubular steel with three spades welded on the underside. A crosspiece of the same tubular steel acts as a brace and also forms a base for the elevation pivot of the rocket guide. This guide consists of a length of 1 3/4-inch angle iron 29 1/2 inches long.
The launcher is operated on the mortar principle, that is, the rocket is placed on the trough and is held about twenty inches above the striker (which corresponds to the firing pin of a mortar) by a release lever. A cord which the operator may pull from a safe distance leads from the release lever, thereby permitting the rocket to slide down against the striker.
SPECIFICATIONS
| ROCKET |
| Overall length of complete round |
| 16 3/32 ins. |
| Length of plastic cap |
| 2.21 ins. |
| Length of message body |
| 6.87 ins. |
| Length of propellant chamber |
| 4.70 ins. |
| Length of nozzle assembly |
| 1.30 ins. |
| Length of stick powder |
| 5.234 ins. |
| Diameter of stick powder |
| 2.308 ins. |
| Weight of complete round |
| 6 lbs., 10 oz. |
| Weight of propellant |
| 1 lb. |
LAUNCHER |
| Overall length |
| 45.7 ins. |
| Overall width |
| 19.7 ins. |
| Length of guide |
| 29.5 ins. |
| Overall height with guide at 45° |
| 28 ins. |
| Weight |
| 27 lbs. |
German: p. 360 (May 1, 1945)
Published on
January 10, 2010 in
German.
This rocket is actually 78 mm in diameter. Two features distinguish it from other German rockets: the use of tail fins to secure stability in flight without rotation, and the employment of a novel fuze arming device.
The complete round weighs 15.19 pounds and is nearly 28 inches long. Its two principal components are the nose fuzed high explosive war head and the rocket motor tube. The shell is attached by means of an adaptor ring and the motor tube is closed by a cone-shaped assembly carrying the fins and containing the venturi and propellant supporting grid. Six tubular sticks of cordite form the propellant ignited by a circular gun powder igniter set off by a wire ignition bridge. The launcher used is the Mantelrohr.
The nose fuze consists of a steel nose piece housing a light alloy striker held by a light spring, a percussion detonator, a magazine containing four pressed pellets, and a thermal arming device. When the rocket is fired, the heat of the propellant gases melts a ring of fusable metal, permitting the detonator and magazine to approach the striker. The main filling of the high explosive head is pressed flake TNT.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight of complete round | | 15 lbs., 3 oz. |
| Weight of motor unit with central adaptor | | 10 lbs. |
| Weight of high explosive head with central adaptor | | 6 lbs., 5 oz. |
| Weight of high explosive filling | | 1 lb., 5 1/2 oz. |
| Weight of fuze (approx.) | | 4 oz. |
| Weight of propellant sticks | | 2 lbs., 3 oz. |
| Length of rocket | | 27.7 ins. |
| Ground range (estimated) | | 6,300 yds. |
German: p. 359 (May 1, 1945)
Published on
January 10, 2010 in
German.
This projectile is fired from the German 8.8 cm Raketenwerfer 43 (Püppchen—see page 352.1). From this weapon, as limited by the sight, a maximum effective range of 700 meters (765 yards) is obtained. The explosive head is identical to that of the rocket fired from the German counterpart of the “Bazooka” (page 357).
The fuze (AZ 5095) functions as follows: the force of set back causes the set-back ring to move rearward, bending the two prongs of the stirrup spring. These prongs, by engaging in the inside groove of the set-back ring prevent the ring from returning forward. Meanwhile, the striker needle is held away from the primer detonator by a flat, coiled clock spring inside the set-back ring. The clock spring unwinds, expanding against the inside of the fuze body, thus providing a slight delay in the arming of the fuze.
The propellant is a double base powder in the form of a single grain with 14 perforations. There is a hole .364 inch in diameter through the center of the grain. Three lands on the outside of the grain insure an outside burning surface. A triangular-shaped spacer holds the head igniter firmly against the quickmatch. The quickmatch fits in a slight indentation in the head igniter. The primer used in the “Püppchen” rocket is the standard No. 26 percussion primer found in many German artillery fuzes.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight (complete, as fired) |
|
5 lbs., 13.06 ozs. |
| Weight of H.E. filler |
|
1 lb., 7 1/4 ozs. |
| Weight of fuze with detonator |
|
3.15 os. |
| Weight of motor and tail assembly |
|
1 lb., 8.5 ozs. |
| Weight of propellant |
|
1.63 ozs. |
| Overall length |
|
19.64 ins. |
| Length of propellant grain |
|
4.95 ins. |
| Diameter of propellant grain |
|
.85 ins. |
| External diameter |
|
3.494 ins. |
German: p. 358 (August 1, 1945)
Published on
January 10, 2010 in
German.
This is an antiaircraft rocket projectile containing a parachute to which is attached a length of cable, designed for use in large numbers to form a barrage against low flying aircraft. The projectile consists of four parts: nose piece, propellant chamber, parachute housing, and cable housing and tail unit.
The nose piece is ogival in shape and screws onto the forward end of the propellant chamber. It contains a TNT destructive charge, weighing approximately 2.3 pounds, and initiated by means of a delay fuze connected to the propellant chamber.
This is a steel cylinder closed at the forward end and threaded externally at the rear end to fit into the parachute housing. Four drillings in the forward end of the parachute housing form the venturi through which the propelling gases escape.
At the forward end of the parachute housing is a TNT charge, weighing approximately 2 pounds. Below this charge are located the main and pilot parachutes which are attached to the forward end of the cable. The cable housing is constructed in two parts, the lower of which remains on the ground when the rocket is launched. The upper portion has a finned tail unit which fits over the lower portion of the cable housing. The 1/8-inch cable, attached at its forward end to the parachute, is coiled the length of the cable housing and passes through a hole in the lower portion to a ground anchor.
After launching, the projectile continues upwards until the whole of the cable has been uncoiled; the parachute is then pulled out of the parachute housing and remains suspended in the air until dragged to earth by the weight of the cable. The rocket casing continues in flight until a delay igniter initiates the destructive charge in the nose of the projectile.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Total weight (approx.) |
|
150 lbs. |
| Weight of parachute housing (containing parachutes and H.E. charge) |
|
28 lbs., 1 oz. |
| Weight of fins and cable housing |
|
90 lbs, 4 ozs. |
| Weight of nose (containing H.E. charge) |
|
4 lbs., 12 ozs. |
| Weight of rocket motor unit |
|
27 lbs., 11 ozs. |
| Weight of propellant charge |
|
11 lbs., 10 ozs. |
| Length of projectile (overall) |
|
58.2 ins. |
| External diameter (maximum) |
|
7.09 ins. |
| External diameter of motor tube |
|
5.51 ins. |
| Internal diameter of motor tube |
|
5.2 ins. |
| Length of propellant charge |
|
11.7 ins. |
| Length of cable (approx.) |
|
950 yds. |
| Diameter of main parachute |
|
11 ft. |
| Diameter of pilot parachute |
|
6 ins. |
German: p. 356.1 (May 1, 1945)
Published on
January 10, 2010 in
German.
This rocket is packed in a wooden crate from which it may be fired in the same manner as the 28 cm rocket described on page 354. It is also fired from a rocket projector consisting of six welded metal frames mounted on a two-wheeled, split trailed carriage described on page 350.
This model has been selected to illustrate the construction of the motor assembly of a typical rotating rocket. The motor tube is 0.43 inch thick, closed at one end, and threaded inside to take the venturi block. Eighteen venturis are drilled in this solid block. The throat diameter of each venturi is 0.365 inch with an exit section of approximately 0.82 inch in diameter. The axes of the venturis are inclined at an angle of 12° 42′ so that the effluent gases cause the round to rotate. A threaded hole in the center takes the primer unit.
Seven tubular sticks make up the propellant charge composed of nitrocellulose and diglycol dinitrate.
The sticks are supported at the venturi end on a grid. The center stick contains a length of quickmatch in a celluloid tube, and ending in a primed maintainer pellet. A small primer unit screwed into the steel venturi plug flashes directly on to the gun powder pellet at the end of the celluloid tube.
This motor unit is similar to that of the 15 cm Wurfgranate. However, because of the heavier charge in the 30 cm ammunition, the metal mesh has been introduced to prevent the maintainer pellet from being crushed by the central stick of the propellant charge if the rocket is dropped.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight of filled motor unit |
|
129 lbs., 10 ozs. |
| Weight of filled bomb |
|
146 lbs., 4 ozs. |
| Weight of propellant charge |
|
33 lbs., 3 3/4 ozs. |
| Length (overall) |
|
47 ins. |
| Length of bomb |
|
28.5 ins. |
| Length of motor tube |
|
22.5 ins. |
| Diameter of bomb |
|
11.8 ins. |
| External diameter of motor tube |
|
8.56 ins. |
| Length of propellant charge |
|
18.4 ins. |
| Burnt velocity |
|
754 f/s |
| Range, maximum |
|
4,976 yds. |
German: p. 354.1 (June 1, 1945)
Published on
January 10, 2010 in
German.
This projector consists of 28 projector rails mounted in four rows of seven each, at the forward end of a long, low carriage. The projectors are constructed of welded T-section steel bar. Each row is a separate assembly, and is bolted to an inclined welded steel superstructure built above the carriage. The projectors are displaced from the center both for line and elevation to give dispersement of fire. Each row is fired as a unit by means of a bar provided with a firing hammer and striker for each projector. Each of the four bars may be separately cocked, and all may be fired by one pull of the firing cable from the central point.
The carriage consists of a framework of U-section steel extended well to the rear, where it terminates in a protected control point containing the elevating handwheel, the firing cable, and two handgrips for traverse. A 1 cm thick (0.39 inches) protection shield is provided. There are two metal-rimmed, rubber sprung detachable wheels 27 inches in diameter. The equipment can be traversed about a fixed center pivot or about its wheels. The center pivot is locked into a bracket welded to the center of the axle-tree and rear support is provided by two steel rollers welded on the under side of the carriage.
Each row of projectors is independently trunnioned and all four are elevated together by means of a linkage through a chain drive from the handwheel.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Overall length (approx.) |
|
14 ft. |
| Overall width |
|
5 ft., 11 ins. |
| Track (wheel center to center) |
|
5 ft., 7 7/8 ins. |
| Width of each projector frame |
|
49 ins. |
| Depth of each projector frame |
|
5 3/4 ins. |
| Maximum height (above center pivot platform) |
|
3 ft., 4 ins. |
| Maximum height (on road wheels) |
|
4 ft., 5 ins. |
| Elevation (approx.) |
|
55° |
| Depression (approx.) |
|
4° |
German: p. 352.3 (August 1, 1945)
Published on
January 10, 2010 in
German.
This multiple rocket launcher, used for antiaircraft barrage purposes and known as the “Föhn” is of different design from any other weapon of its type used by the Germans. Launching sites were located along river fronts, indicating the use of this weapon against river crossings. There are 35 individual launchers, each 31 inches long and approximately 7.3 cm square, assembled in 5 horizontal and 7 vertical rows. The rockets are fired by hammer type firing pins mounted on horizontal shafts. All 35 of the pins are actuated by a single trigger. The whole assembly measures 32 inches from top to bottom, and 23 inches from side to side. A simple clamp at the rear of the racks holds the rockets in position until firing takes place. The frame of the assembly is made of 3/16-inch metal.
A trunnion, set in each side of this framework, rests upon arms extending up from the pedestal base. The weapon, with its pedestal base, is used with either a mobile or fixed mount. When used as a mobile mount, the launcher is fitted with a circular metal folding platform mounted on a 2-wheeled trailer. The fixed launchers are not provided with the folding platform, and it is believed that they are normally set up more or less permanently on sheet iron platforms.
The sight, trigger mechanism, and elevating and traversing mechanisms are mounted on the inside of a metal protective shield located on the left side of the launcher. Elevation is from -10° to 90°. The upper part of the front wall of the shield is made of transparent plastic for sighting purposes.
The 7.3 cm Raketen Sprenggranate, used with the launcher, is a spin stabilized rocket fitted with a nose percussion fuze and a self-destroying delay element ignited by the burning propellant.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Traverse | |
360° |
| Elevation | |
90° |
| Depression | |
-10° |
| Ammunition | |
|
| 7.3 cm R. Sprgr. (H.E.) | |
|
| Weight of complete round | |
6 lbs. |
| Weight of propellant | |
1.19 lb. |
| Weight of explosive charge | |
0.62 lb. |
| Type of explosive | |
“95″ |
| (RDX/TNT/WAX = 55/40/5) |
German: p. 352.2 (August 1, 1945)
