4.5” AIRCRAFT ROCKET MATERIEL

WAR DEPARTMENT . 12 SEPTEMBER 1944

RESTRICTED LU.WEMINL~TI~N OF R,WTKTED MATTER- The information containe~rrrestricted’documents and the essential char-

. acteristies of restricted material may be given to any person known to be in : th; service of the United States and fo perwns of undoubted loyalty and discretion who are cooperating in Government work, butwill nof be com- municated to the public or to the press except by authoriz&d military public relations ,agencies. (See aho paragraph 236, AR 380-5, Ii March WM.)

WAR DEPARTMENT Washington 25, D. C., 12 September ,1944

TM 9-395, 4.5” Aircraft Rocket Materiel, is published for the in- formation and guidance of all concerned.

.[ A.G. 300!7 (4 Sep 44) 0.q. 300.7/2001 1

BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OP WAR: G. C. MARSHALL,

Chief of Stat?.

OFFICIAL: J. A. ULIO,

Major General, The Adjutant, General.

DISTRIBUTION:, Armies (IO); Corps (10); SvC (10); Depts (10); D (2); R,l (4); Bn 1 (2); IC 9 (10); Tech Svs (2); Arm b Sv Boards (2); P, C h Stas (1); Gen b Sp Sv Schools (10); ROTC (1); Ord Decentralized Sub-0 (3); Ord Dist 0 (5); Ord Reg 0 (3); PE’s (Ord 0) (5); H & R Points (5); Ord Dist Br 0 (3); Ord Establishments (.5).

IC i-T/O 9-17; 9-57; 9-257; g-417.

\

(For explanatidn of symbols, see FM 21-6.)

.

SECTION I

II.

III.

INDEX..

Parapro*s Pap;.

Launchers 1-12 1-12

Rockets .._................................ 13-19 12,-23

References .: 20-2.3 24-25

26

TM 9.395 _

4.5” AIRCRAFT ROCKET MATERkL

i

lkvl 9.395 1-3

RESTRICTED

Section I

LAUNCHERS

1. SCOPE.

a. This manu+mntains a descriptionof the 4.5” Rocket .Launchers MlO, M14, and M~l5. In addition, it contains technical information required for the identification, use, and care of the laun6her and am- munition. This manual does not cover electrical wirine or switches in the plane, or the firing selector mechanism. The pr&rement and installation of such accessories is the responsibility of AAF.

. b. Unsatisfactory Equapment Rrsport. Suggestions for im- provement in design, maintenance, safety, and efficiency of operation ~prompted by chronic failure or ‘malfunction of the weapon, spare, parts, or equipment bhould. be reported on WDAGO Form No. 468, Unsatisfactory Equipment Report, with all pertinent informatibn necessary to initiate corrective action. The report should be forwarded to the Office of Chief of Ordnance,, Field Servicti Maintenance Di- vision, through command channels in accordance with instruction number 7 ‘on the form. Such suggestions are encciuraged in order that other organizations may benefit.

3. TABULATED DATA.

a. Launchers. Mod., Ml0 Ml4 M IS !

Material of tubes...: Plastic Steel Magnesium alloy Weight of launcher ............ 80 lb.. ... . ... ,190 lb:. ................... .86 lb Length of tubes.. ................ 10 ft.. ......... .I0 ft ....................... 10 ft. Thickness of tubes.. ........... Yi m.. ... . ........ Yi in.. ................... :g,; in.

1

2. REPORTS.

a. Field Report of Accidents. When an accident involving am- munition occurs during practice, the incident will be reported as prescribed in AR 750-10 by the Ordnance officer under whose super- vision the ammunition is maintained or issued. Where practicable,, reports covering malfunctions of amrinmition in combat’ will be made ,to the Chief of ?rdnance, giving the type of malfunction, type of ammunition, the lot number of the complete rounds or separate- loading components, and condition unde‘r which fired.

., TM 9.395

3.5

4.5” AIRCRAFT RO&ET MATERIEL

b. Rockets.

Length ‘fuzed ,,.,, ,, ,,.,.,.,.,, ,....,.,.,.,, ,..,.,.,.,.,, .,,,.. . ...’ ,,., ,.,.,., 33 in.

Weight fuzed L, . . . . . .,.....,.,. ,,,,.,. :, ,,.,., ,,.,.,.. 40 lb

Muzzle velocity . . . . . . . . ‘Y:.: . . . . . . . . . . ...’ ..__.................. 850 ft per set

Range, maximum,. :, ,,. ,:, .:, .4,600 yd ‘::!

,. ;

4. 4.5’” ROCKET LAUNCHER MIO.

a. The Launcher Ml0 con&ts of a cluster of three lo-foot tubes of N-inch plastic which e?e attached by steel strapping to a slide her, end bv two mounts to the under. side of the wine of the olane (fins. 1 to i). The straps .are tightened *round the i&e by ‘turnbicie screws tightened end wired in ,place.

b. The front mount consists of a T-shaped hanger attached to ’ the plane, a front mount strep on which are mbunted two hooks, and a deflector ,assembly (fig. 4). TWO set screws are provided to fasten the strep in position on ,the slide bar. The deflector assembly con: sists bf two ,18-inch erms attached to a deflector strep end bearing on the front hanger. When the launcher is dropped, the arms serve to direct the “se of the ,launchir downward es air pressure pushes

I

the tubes to the rear.

e. The rear mount (figs. 5 end 6) consists of a hanger containing the release m+chanism end a socket for electrical comiections, end a V-shaped sway brace. The rear mount strap has a suspension lug end two L-shaped detainer supports. When the launcher is dropped, the detainer supports engage the erms of the sway brace end prevent the’

/

rear end dropping until the deflector pushes the front end downward. The rear mount strep is positioned on the slide bar by e clevis pin.

d. In addition to the ‘front end rear mount straps, there is B ten- ter strap riveted to the slide bar end tightened to proper tension by the manufacturer. One in&ahead of the rear end there is a deflector strap to. protect the release end contact mechanisms from flying links end fired cases from the plane’s guns.

5. 4.5’; ROCKET LAUNCHER iili4.

/ a. This model differs~from the Ml0 in that the material of the tubes is %-inch steel. The tube assembly has sufficient weight to in-

‘sure its dropping when released end, es e consequence, the deflector erms end strep are on&ted. In addition, the center strep is welded to the tubes.

2

/ TM 9.395

‘, b:T,

LAUNCHERS .,,

Figure 2-Launcher, MountedyFront View

6. 4.5” ROCKET LAUNCHER M15.

a. This model differs from the Ml0 in, that: the n&&l of ihe tubes is 3/116-inch magnesium alloy.

7. INSTALLATION.

a. General. The center strep, front and rear mount straps, ehd deflector arm strep are held in position by e turnbuckle screw which is tightened with a %&nch,wrench to prevent the strep slipping.

b. Tools. The only tools required for this operation ire AAF wrench 44A906 or a ‘6-inch adjustable wren& (or’ equivslent) and combination pliers.

e. Procedure. a

(1) Inspect the launcher for obstructions inside, the, tubes end cracks need the muzzle or rear, end. ‘Minor flakes or blisters oil the inside of the tubes &ill not affect operation of the launcher.

(2) Check the center strep to see that it is tight and safety-wired.’ Do not tamper with this strep unless it has not been safety-wired be- ceuse it has been properly adjusted for tension et the factor~.,,Cha~ges

3

iM 9.395 7 ~

4.5” AIRCRAFT RQCKET MATERIEL

,,,

‘,:

,I!

i TM

LAUNCHERS

“. ; .

9.395 7

TM 9-395 7 ,’

4.5” AIRCRAFT ROCKET MATERIEL

Figure 5-Rear Mount-Front View

in tetision may result in tube deformation or in excessive looseness after use.

(3) Loosen front end rear mount straps end the detle&or arm strep so that each strep can easily be slid to the proper’ location. In loo&ning the rear mount ,strap, the cotter pin and clevis pin must be 8 removed to permit adjustment.

? ‘.I

(4) L.ocate.the rear mount strep between the markings on the tube for the partic+r airplane. These positions have been selected, to best meet the following requirements:

(a) The lauticher must clear .the flaps or ailerons under all circum- stences.

(b) The airplane center of gravity must be kept wthin p;oper limits.

(c) The blest escaping from the’front and beck of the tubes must he sufficiently far from the airplane skin to avoid damaging it.

,,

(5) The positions stenciled on the launcher correspond to the : ,; values in the table below.

b

TM 9-395 7

LAUNCHERS

Figure 6-l+1r ‘Mount-Rear View

DiSt(l”C. Fran bar of Tub. to cepter Alrpk”* un* Of, Roar I+rDp ,J?sh.r:

P-38 8 P-39 41

P-40 33’ P-47 30 P-51 25’, A-20 3s A-36 25

(6) Fasten the rear mount strap by inserting the clevis pin into the proper ,hole in the slide bar and secure it with the cotter pin. Tighten the turnbuckle sctew in the rear mount strap. Safety-wire the screw.

(7) Lift the launcher to the wing, fit the rear mount strap into the rear mount, and flock it there by using the release lever once (fig. 7). The detainer supports are automati+ly positioned above the swSy braces when the rear strap is attached to the mount. 4 leaf spring is &ached to the top of the rear strap. It is necessary to com- press this spring SO that it will lie between the top of the rear strap and the bottom of ,the rear’mount.

7

TM 9.395 7.8

4.5” AIRCRAFT ROCKET MATERIEL

(8) Raise the front of the lauqcher and ,position the &oqt mount strap so that the hooks on the front strap fit snugly (but are not jammed) against the front mount. Be sure that the hooks are parallel to the axis of the tubes. Tighten the set screws on both sides of the strap until they penetrate into the slide bar, to prevent the strap from slipping. Be sure that the conical points of the set screws penetrate the slide bar: ‘Tie with safety wire. Tighten the turnbuckle screw to keep the strap from slipping axid secure it with safety wire.

(9) Fasten the sway brace screws at the rear post until they press lightly a&nst the cluster.

( 10) Slide the defl+tor arm strap rearward until the hooks on‘the deflector arm ,fit snugly against the front of the front mbunt without jamming. Be sure that the hooks are in a position to slide freely into the front post as the front strap leaves it.’ Tighten turnbuckle screw and secure with a safety wire.

(11) The shield strap is in its proper position when the launcher is received. If it is necessa~ to mwe it during installations, unlatch the buckle at the bottom of ‘the strap. Be sure to set the shield strap about 1 inch forward of the, contact arms. Latch the buckle and safety-wire it to prevent a&dental opening.

(12) Examine the straps to be sure that all the screws have been correctly tightened and safety-wired. Nqscrew should be so tightened that all of it enters the trunnion blocks or damages the launcher. Tension for the mount straps is controlled by a stop sleeve mounted on the trunnion screw. The proper tension 1s obtained when trunnion screw has been tightened until lock nut comes in contact with trimnion.

d. Gaging. When the ,installation is complete, slide a rocket, tail first, through each tube to insure that it does not bind.

8. LOADING.

a. ~Pr&paration.

(1) Test circuits as described in par&mph 9 b. (2) Be sure all switches are off. (3) Unpack rockets and fuzes and ass‘emble as desciibed in para-

graph 17. (4) If using Rocket MS or M9, be sure prop&lling charge is ad-

justed for anticipated firing temperature. (5) Set the fuze for the desired action, super-quick or,delay.

b. Loading.

(1) Remove safety wire or pin from fuze.

8

TM 9. 8

* LAUNCHERS

‘395

1

TM 9-395 5.9

4.5” AIRCRAFT ROCKET’MATERIEL

C2j Place nose of rocket in breech of launcher tube and push for- ward. Engage tail f lange of rocket in groove in retainer mechanism. Be sure retainer is firmly engaged.

(3) Remove fin retainer from tail of rocket. (4) If necessary, bend contact arms so that each one will make

contact with one contact ring on igniter. CAUTION: If rocket is equipped with combination per<ussion-

electric igniter (fig. 12);be sure that contact arm does not strike per- cussion primer. Leave contact arms’in open position until plane is ready for take-off.

(5) Load other tubes of launcher (no particular sequence ig n.&- =Y).

(6) Snap contact arms into place. (7) Turn master switch on.

c. Unloading. If any of the rockets aie not fired on the mission they will be removed as follows:

(‘I) Turn switch&f.

(2) Open contact arms. (3) Replace fin retainer. (4) Disengage retainer mechanism, grasp tail flange, and with-

draw rocket. (5) Replace fuze safety wire or pin. (6) ,,Retum rocket and fuze to original condition and packings.

9. PRECAUTIONS.

a. Always Make Sure Switc+es Are 017 B&e Loading.

b. In order to make sure <hat each tube is connected to the air- craft battery when the switches are in position to fire the tube, and that no tube is energized when any other tube is fired, always check the circuits befqre beginning loading operations. (A, convenient cir- cuit tester iS supplied with each aircraft installation. If the circuit tester is missing or broken, a good substitute can be made by attach- ing two short wires to a 24-volt bulb. There is no excuse for fai1ing.W check, circuits.)

c. Never stand directly behind the launcher when inserting pro- jectiles or lowering the firing arms.

d. If rocket is equipped with percussion-electric igniter, be care- ful not to strike ,the percussion e&nent.

:“i ,.

10

. . . .

LAUNCHERS

. . 4 V-395 lM3

4,s” AIR&AFT RaCKCT WiTERILL. ’

1

t L

. : .

r. ., 1.. : . ‘.. . . 1.’ ;‘. !:i. -;, ‘,$. ..

bk ‘-a ,’ P+ , .& :s ..A , . . I” . .

c ’ i. :.:: . . . ’ _.’ . : . ; , . c(:” . .

. .‘I . . . 3. .

5 . !;. .. :’ .4 c .

i .-. ._:

. . . . . .

A. .

*.. . I . . !.f’ .*_ .: . .

:’ . . :w.: . : . I : .

‘M %306 , If

4.8” AIRCRAFT ROCKET MATERCCL

*.” .*

! 2: .

: . . ...I

P-: .

: . . . . .:.. .I..:

. I

. . . .

: :‘c . . . . . . . . . .

! ‘.. I’C .

* : I

.b

! . . ?.

. . a

.: .

. ...

P-:

.? .

j .

I .:..

. l .

: . . :.. . .

. . .I..: *

. I

.

:-..

,

. ..,

. . . .

l . .

. . . .

g. . Igniter- The ighjte.r {fig& 9 nnd 12) cox&sts essentially of a charge of black pizwder.and an’ electric rcquib+ In eerlier models, the s@b and bIack powder I= conwined in 8 plastic cup which ia cementeci in tbe ‘mzzle opening. Tti leads of .tbe aqtib a~ con- nected to a contact disk end B contact ring on the bqse of the cup ‘(fig. g ). In cwnb,itlation ig@terrp, a percussiad printer is assembled jn the base. ‘In later rimdels, the igniter is assembled in a long tube. at- tached to the tmp with the imiter wirers ‘leading to ie aontmzt pJ+e in the mzzlea This pi& has, in’additicm ta the opntact riagq a cord and plug attachment fm electricnl connectian When @is igniter is used in the ,launchers equjpped with spring .rohtBCt SWYP~, the plug wires should be cut CIOME to the contact tings

33. Ptintiq. High-ex$osive rockets arts.jraint@ olive drab and narked in yellow. Practice. mcht ahell at-e phited blue .and

m&d in white, and the motor is painted alive drab and mmked in yellcW.

TM 9-395 .. + ‘14

4.3” AlRCRAFf RCYCRET MATER&i

:.

4 . . .I.. . . . .

;. I .

4.5”’ Al KC RAFT ROd KKT MATERIEL

. . .

RA PP 26760

,; . ,\.. .’

. .

. ...>’ ’

$.,T

<.., . 1. . :

.‘.C.

,;,A:

In-. ::’

: ,: . p.. .

. . . .: .s . . .

: . ‘..

.;.y: .

,. . .

3. -

4 , .,.I .

.‘. ,

. . ‘.

. . ‘. . I.

.I. .

. . l .

:

1

d... I_

‘! I .

.: . * .

. . .- ,-.

..I .

:: b .I’.

.!. :&a ’ . .

. .

1

l .

. . . .,. . 7.. y ‘Z.-r . . -I

,r. ’ .!- .

,; : . . ,p; . ‘4

l . . :*

2; ;:. .

:a>: \ .

*p*�... :

(-, ,

.I- . .

3. .I

4

* %..I .

. . . ,

. . . .

. (

. . . . .

., .

. .

. . . .

. .

. *.

. .

� I

’ d, H&h-exploclive Rocket WLU and Practice Rockti WAB. This modilicatio~, in additiam to the heavier motor *body, has a smalIer, heavitw-walled rsM1. It6 tempwatum limits are the sat&, -10°F to .I 105°F; and ita velocity is slightly higher.than the -&j

’ modifictrtion. * :.

e. Hi+-expkeive Rocker M8A3 and Practioe Rocket M9A3. In this mo@fication, each fim ha8 B slight .bur or crimp to insure a tight fit in the fin ring when the &a opens. The rocketr are otkwiac the ~alfle as the -A2 modificationa. Temperawe ranga are the Sernt! w the-A2 roclcetra, . .

f. High-=ploeivc Rocker TZ2 and Practtice R&set TM. This madificdos rains .thc heavies ahell of the -m&&a AZ. The motor body irs furtbr rtrengthensed, the fin arrsranbly is modified. The ikiter ti sroemt>led itr $ tube attached ti the trap anil extending the Iength of the progelling charge, 1ti temperature limits arc -20’F to +12O”F,

15. RDeKET FU= AND MCWF’ICATtONS k14, \. ’

)r, Ehe !klth$. The actb of the fum is e&c&d by rneatlB of a r#ttiG pin which appears at the dde of the fure. The head of the pin is gfbtted and is marted with a jtidbti dot. The fuze body is marked m eitk side of the setting pin.with “SQP.end ‘VI.015 SEC. DELAY” (or ‘Lo.1 SEC. DELAY”). The action of tie fuze is #Iccted by turning the pin 30 that the dot indiktes the desired action. Note that the pin slot hbuid alvrraya be parAe to the a.& of the fws.

’ The fue may be rmet at any tie prim to f&g.

c. is the

the first step forces of . aet-

15 I

4.5” AIRCRAFT ROCKET MATERN

\ <’

,,’

t

I--- --4.4 - . -i RA w WV3

i

: .:

.: ,.

:’

.,..i I .\ .‘.

.--. ‘I

2 . . .

; ._

I

REFERENCES

‘a!. List of Training ‘Filma Film Sttip& and Fjilti ‘. *.

Eulktios (listi% TFs, FEES, and FWs by serinI number and subject} . . . . _, . , ._. . . . . FM 2 I-7

21. STANDARD NOIMENCLATtJR~ LISTS, .

terido; recoil Kds, rqxciaI oils, and mb cellaneous related it&s.. ’ . . . . _ , . . . . . . . ORD 3

BNL K:-1

I . ‘1

. I .

TM 9.395

4.5” AIRCRAFT ROCKET MATERIEL

INDEX

A Page

Auxiliary booster. .............. 22

C Conservation cd materiel. ....... 12

D

D”l”my fuze M6. ............. 22

F

,materia1s used in,, ,.,. 11 Motor hdet) 13

P

Fir&g precautions ................. 23 preparstion for. .. : ........... 22

Fwes, rocket, description, fuze-set- ting and arming of:

M4 ........................ 19 M4Al...................... 21 MM2 ..................... 22

I

Painting and marking (rockets). 15 Percussion electric igniters, 10 Propelling charge

description 13 high-temperature range 23

R Reports, field report of accidents

and, ‘unsatisfactory equipment. 1 Rockets

Igniters, description ............. 15

L ,

components .~. ‘. 13 description and data

rockets 12

shell, motor, and propelling charge 13

fuzes,for :. .~. .lQ, 21, 22 igniters; painting and marking. 15 mcdi8caticms

Launchers, rock,& dBCCpti0”

Ml0 and Ml4 ............. 1 Ml5 ..:. ................. 3

installation data ............ . ......... 7 procedure ...... : ......... 3

loading .................... 8 mai”tena”ce end failure to fire. 11 precautidns in loa+ng. ........ 10

tabulated data. .............. 1 unloading, .................... 10

M

M8 and M9............... 15 M8Al and MQAl.. ,: 13 M8A2 end M9A2. ;. 19 M8A3 and M9A3. 19

,~ T22~and T46 ,...... .,: ,... 19 packing ., 24 tabulated data .2

s :

Shell, rocket, description. 13 Storage and shipment. 11 switches ; 10

T

daily a$ before firing. 12 Unloading the launcher. 10

ftAFmnn445- WL 26

Magnesium tubes, +ntenance. 12 Maintenance (launchers).

after firing and during storage aed shipment ........... 11

Tabulated data. 1 Tools, r&dred for installation, 3

U

: