I can't think of another item I've had that appeared so "standard" but seemed to be missing from every reference manual I've seen. The example without a warhead has been in my collection for a number of years and I recently had the opportunity to photograph it next to a complete one a friend has.
The warhead seems to be made of a die-cast material and may be a practice type or?? There are small rollers behind the warhead that appear to help guide the rocket down the launch tube with less friction. The fins tip outward similar to a LAW rocket but are not spring loaded.
My friend with the complete rocket is an aircraft buff and thought these were used in the F-89 as an anti-aircraft rocket prior to the development of guided missiles like the AIM-9. Supposedly, these were used in a launcher holding a large number of rockets, perhaps 80 or 90, and fired like a shotgun against enemy planes. The term "Mighty Mouse" was suggested, although I've heard that name applied to the early 2.75 FFARs of the late 1940s and early 1950s.
I thought it was odd that they were dated 1955, well after the larger and more potent 2.75" rockets were in development. Then again, if these were truly intended for anti-aircraft use, and not for air to ground use, then we are talking about two completely different animals. As you can see, they carry very standard looking markings from North American Aviation with the designation "ROCKET, AIRCRAFT, FOLDING FIN, 1.5", MA-4"
To further muddy the waters, the seperate fin assembly is a similar but different item too. Its fins are nested in milled slots but tilt out the same way as the 1.5" version. However, it is 2" in diameter and is also unidentified.
Any old Air Force EOD guys out there that recognize these little rockets? Can you point me to a published reference on them? Thanks for any help you can offer.
Rick
The warhead seems to be made of a die-cast material and may be a practice type or?? There are small rollers behind the warhead that appear to help guide the rocket down the launch tube with less friction. The fins tip outward similar to a LAW rocket but are not spring loaded.
My friend with the complete rocket is an aircraft buff and thought these were used in the F-89 as an anti-aircraft rocket prior to the development of guided missiles like the AIM-9. Supposedly, these were used in a launcher holding a large number of rockets, perhaps 80 or 90, and fired like a shotgun against enemy planes. The term "Mighty Mouse" was suggested, although I've heard that name applied to the early 2.75 FFARs of the late 1940s and early 1950s.
I thought it was odd that they were dated 1955, well after the larger and more potent 2.75" rockets were in development. Then again, if these were truly intended for anti-aircraft use, and not for air to ground use, then we are talking about two completely different animals. As you can see, they carry very standard looking markings from North American Aviation with the designation "ROCKET, AIRCRAFT, FOLDING FIN, 1.5", MA-4"
To further muddy the waters, the seperate fin assembly is a similar but different item too. Its fins are nested in milled slots but tilt out the same way as the 1.5" version. However, it is 2" in diameter and is also unidentified.
Any old Air Force EOD guys out there that recognize these little rockets? Can you point me to a published reference on them? Thanks for any help you can offer.
Rick