Cutaway model of a rocket for the notorious German WW2 Nebelwerfer 41. The rocket (15 cm Wgr. 41 Spr.) consists of an forward engine with an bulbous ballistic nosecap screwed in the forward end of the motor. The bottom end of the motor is threaded externaly to receive the venturi assembly, which has 26 angled venturi holes drilled in the outer circumference of the bottom of the venturi assembly. The lower part of the venturi assembly is threaded on the outside to receive the bursting charce container. Inside the motor there is a grid on the bottom to prevent parts of propelllant to block the venturi holes, and also a ring formed black powder igniter charge. On top of this grid, seven single perforated diethylene glycol dinitrate powder sticks are placed. On top of these powder sticks a black powder igniter charge is placed. The two igniter charges are connected by a quikmatch, which exists of a transparant celluloid hollow tube with an black powder pellet in top and bottom that runs through the hole of the center propellant stick. This quickmatch enshures that both igniter charges are set of at the same moment. The ring formed powder charge in the grid is ignited by the E.R.Z.39 (Elektrische Raketen Zunder 39, not in picture), which is inserted in one of the venturi holes, after loading in the weapon, and is than electricly connected and ignited. The bursting charge container is made of cast IRON. A High explosive charge in a cartboard container is placed in the iron container, seperated from the base of the motor by a steel spacer, to provide an insulating air void between the hot gasses of the engine and the explosive charge. In the bottom of the Explosive charge is a hole to receive the Nitropenta booster. The impact fuze in the bottom is the Bd.Z. D.O.V. (Base fuze D.O.V.) . The fuze has a firing pin (blue), held away from the firing cap (red) by six centrifugal segments surrounded by an expanding ring spring, which blocks the forward movement of the firing pin. After launching the rocket, the centrifugal force caused by the spin throws the centrifugal segments outward, thereby releasing the firing pin. One of the greatest advantage of the Nebelwerfer rocket was that on impact, it stood up nearly vertical on the ground , so the burster charge exploded about 900 mm over the groung. This gave a much improved 360 degrees evenly splinter distribution over the normal artillery shell which explodes "in " the ground. Most of the rocket motor casing also fragmented thereby adding to the warheads explosive effects (in rockets with the H.E charge in the nose, the motor tends to fly of in one piece). The Nebelwerfer was nicknamed "moarning minnie" by the allied soldiers because of its distinctive droning sound and was much feared. A battery of nebelerfers could saturate a certain area completely in seconds and wreak havoc upon the allied troops. The main disadvantage of the nebelwerfer was it's large smoketrail upon launching, giving away it's position. The launcher however had the advantage that it was very light (510 kg) and could be towed by a light vehicle. It could so easily be repositioned.
Overall length of the rocket : 979 mm (38.55 inch)
Diameter : 158mm (6.22 inch).
Total weight 31,8 Kg (70 Lb).
Weight propellant: 6,35 kg (14 Lb).
Weight of explosive charge: 2,5 kg (5,5 Lb) Fpo2 ( TNT). The sticker on the cartboard explosive container has the following text : Sprldg. DOV K15 (spr.) - Fp02-1-cwg- 751/1943.
Muzzle velocity: 342 M/s (1120 ft/sec).
Max range : 7066 mtrs (7723 yards).
Special rounds were issued for arctic and tropical use. Rounds were delivered to the front in individual rectangular wooden boxes or steel containers (cylinder shaped). The weapon entered service in 1942. There was also a smoke round available which had a slightly longer warhead, but used the same bottomfuze. Launchers were available in the next four types : 15 cm Nebelwerfer 41 , 15 cm Do-gerat 38 , 15 cm Panhzerwerfer 42 , 30 cm raketenwerfer 56 (in this last case an insert barrel was placed in the larger barrel).
Regards, DJH
Overall length of the rocket : 979 mm (38.55 inch)
Diameter : 158mm (6.22 inch).
Total weight 31,8 Kg (70 Lb).
Weight propellant: 6,35 kg (14 Lb).
Weight of explosive charge: 2,5 kg (5,5 Lb) Fpo2 ( TNT). The sticker on the cartboard explosive container has the following text : Sprldg. DOV K15 (spr.) - Fp02-1-cwg- 751/1943.
Muzzle velocity: 342 M/s (1120 ft/sec).
Max range : 7066 mtrs (7723 yards).
Special rounds were issued for arctic and tropical use. Rounds were delivered to the front in individual rectangular wooden boxes or steel containers (cylinder shaped). The weapon entered service in 1942. There was also a smoke round available which had a slightly longer warhead, but used the same bottomfuze. Launchers were available in the next four types : 15 cm Nebelwerfer 41 , 15 cm Do-gerat 38 , 15 cm Panhzerwerfer 42 , 30 cm raketenwerfer 56 (in this last case an insert barrel was placed in the larger barrel).
Regards, DJH
The muzzle velocity is said to be 40 m/s.