The 4.5" Rocket of WW II

[Bob Wright]

I was watching a Youtube clip of WW II attempts to destroy Japanese pillboxes/bunkers of that era. These were constructed at Aberedeen Proving Ground ca. 1943 or so. One weapon which did prove effective against them was the 4.5" tube launched folding fin rocket. These were carried at times by P-47s and P-38s in clusters of three. They were also mounted on M-4 Sherman tanks, and fired from racks mounted on LCIs in the Pacific. The launcher snown was an open tube, maybe five feet long, and with bipods at both ends. The rocket was fired by electric impulse through about ten feet of wires and either a battery pack or magneto device. I have never seen some of the waepons shown in that film. One being a 37mm gun mounted on a .50 M2 tripod.

Bob Wright

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Ordnance is very interesting....when the recruiter showed me the "Betamax" tapes of different jobs to choose from I was hooked when I saw the Ordnance community videos and my mind was set. He asked to see my hands, looked at them and joked "okay, I don't think you'll drop anything on the deck" :LOL:

As always......IYAOYAS !!!

 

[Fox Mike]

I had a good friend that worked "behind the fence" (what the locals call the experimental testing area). He said that a LOT of strange and different items have and will be tested there. Many are classified so he couldn't get into detail.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

I had a good friend that worked "behind the fence" (what the locals call the experimental testing area). He said that a LOT of strange and different items have and will be tested there. Many are classified so he couldn't get into detail.

APG is cool place for an Ordnance type.....all shapes and sizes.

 

[Fox Mike]

APG is cool place for an Ordnance type.....all shapes and sizes.

What many don't know is that APG also has a vehicle test area in Churchville where all types of military vehicles are put through their paces. Big place.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churchville_Test_Area

 

[XUSNORDIE]

What many don't know is that APG also has a vehicle test area in Churchville where all types of military vehicles are put through their paces. Big place.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churchville_Test_Area

Yep. They used to hold LE Explosive Driver, Evasive Driver and Exec Protection courses there also.

 

[Acorn]

Ordnance is very interesting....when the recruiter showed me the "Betamax" tapes of different jobs to choose from I was hooked when I saw the Ordnance community videos and my mind was set. He asked to see my hands, looked at them and joked "okay, I don't think you'll drop anything on the deck" :LOL:

As always......IYAOYAS !!!

When I went to talk to the recruiter my Army vet Dad told me “He’ll promise you anything to get your signature, afterwards that all goes out the window.”

 

[XUSNORDIE]

When I went to talk to the recruiter my Army vet Dad told me "He'll promise you anything to get your signature, afterwards that all goes out the window."

The Army recruiter (I was raised by a Army Ranger, big brother was Airborne/Cobra Pilot) screwed me. I told them before going to the ASVAB that I wanted to be Airborne Artillery or there was no reason to even discuss enlisting any further. I scored decently. But they were pushing mechanic on me. Told them to pack sand. Later on, after being a typical bratty teenager not getting my way in college, I stopped by the same office, but spoke with the Navy. They did try to push Crypto on me at MEPS, but seeing I wasn't giving in they gave me a list of rates needed. I asked which were the ordnance rates. They showed me GM, TM and AO.......I selected AO. I got everything they told me I would get....some I didn't ask for....but damn glad to have been part of the Ordie Brotherhood! IYAOYAS!

 

[Chief]

While it takes all kinds of ratings to get those aircraft in the air, they aren't good for anything except punching holes in the sky without ordnance aboard. Ordnance is the package that needs delivery.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

HOOYAH Chief! IYAOYAS!

 

[Chief]

Just calling ‘em as I see ‘em. Besides there is nothing more fun that launching those bomb trucks and missile wagons of the pointy end and have them come back slick and dirty! Motivation baby, anytime!

 

[XUSNORDIE]

The only time I didn't mind cleaning blast residue from a winder or sparrow.....especially in '87......Op Earnest Will...

VF21-03
Iran- 0

;)

 

[g5m]

There was also a much larger 'Tiny Tim' rocket used in WW2. Over 11 inches in diameter.

 

[eveled]

Speaking of Ordnance, when I visited Arlington National Cemetery, I found a tomb stone, instead of the usual CROSS or Star of David. This stone had an Ordnance bomb.

I guess blowing stuff up was his religion! He must have been in the Ordnance dept? I wish I knew the back story.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

I guess blowing stuff up was his religion! He must have been in the Ordnance dept? I wish I knew the back story.

The "Flaming Bomb" and IYAOYAS will be on my urn........of course mine will have wings ;)

Arlington will provide a generic headstone, but families can have them custom made with emblems/words. If you have a lot number or name I can have my Son look into the back story. He's currently with the Navy Ceremonial Guard as a Casket Bearer stationed at JBAB Anacostia Boling and goes to Arlington just about every day for services. He goes back to Seabee life in a couple months though.

He's never come across a Ordnance emblem. He would have sent a pic for sure.

He has mentioned some headstones that stood out......a few months ago his detail did a burial near the headstone of Ronald Lee Ermey...."The Gunny".

 

[eveled]

No unfortunately I did not realize it's significance at the time.

Way before I had a cel phone camera too.

Thank you for your service and your son's. You must be very proud. He is doing a very important job. It's a very big honor to be assigned that detail.

If he ever comes across the stone with the flaming bomb on it, I would love a back story.

I can tell you this I never left the pavement and honestly didn't go much past the normal high points. So it must be in plain view and in the older parts of the cemetery.

Google searches come up empty, there are 66 approved religious symbols for military stones, the flaming bomb is not one of them. It did mention a process to get other emblems approved. Very interesting subject.

It really says something about the success of our American melting pot that 66plus emblems are needed.