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Help with identifications

It is the nose section of a WWII era British 2-inch rocket flare - used as a target flare for anti-aircraft training. Body diameter should be 2.25 inch.
 
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13th battalion said:
Hi, what are the big holes for?
Click to expand...

To let the light out.

The rocket head consisted of:
the brass ballistic cap;
the steel section (forming a nose weight) with the four holes;
then a thin plate body section containing the flare candle;
terminated by a bottom steel base part with four more holes and containing the candle igniter set.

The eight holes emitted the bright light from the burning flare candle within. The rocket head sat on top of a rocket motor assembly.

Edit to say the photo shows the top 2/5 of a Head, Rocket, Target, 2-inch, MkI /L,N/.
 
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That's brilliant information! How were these rockets launched? Am I right in thinking they were used as parachute targets for AA batteries?
thanks
steve
 
No parachute. They were designed to streak across the firmament, burning brightly to provide both a day and night target for light AA practice.

Launched from a tubular projector: Projector, Rocket, 2-inch, No.2 MkI, with variations on the base mounting depending on L or N Service.
 
Not sure what this is, then, had it down as a 2" rocket flare, diameter is correct etc, but the candle is undoubtedly attached to a wire that would have ended in a parachute - sadly missing in this sectioned eg. The clever bit of kit at the bottom is Ejector No. 8 Mk 1/ marked to EC Co. and dated 45.
Alan.DSCN0468[1].jpgDSCN0469[1].jpg
 
Alan1 said:
Not sure what this is, then, had it down as a 2" rocket flare, diameter is correct etc, but the candle is undoubtedly attached to a wire that would have ended in a parachute - sadly missing in this sectioned eg. The clever bit of kit at the bottom is Ejector No. 8 Mk 1/ marked to EC Co. and dated 45.
Alan.
Click to expand...


It is a 2-inch flare rocket head, the No.8 Mk1 ejector identifying it as the Head, Rocket, Flare, 2-inch No.3 Mk 1 /N/. The ejector was made by the Enfield Clock Co.

It was for illumination of enemy targets at night, mainly at sea, the advantage over ordinary star shell being that it could be used from very small ships (lightness of projector and lack of recoil).
 
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