Description
This rocket is currently employed to assist in sea rescue searches at night. It is fired from a hand firing projector, and is initiated by a 30 grain percussion cartridge.
The rocket consists of a steel rocket tube containing a rocket propelling composition, which has a conical cavity in the center. The rocket tube is fitted at one end with a metal center. The rocket tube is fitted at one end with a metal flare container housing a wooden plug, a flare candle, and a cotton parasheet attached to the candle by a wire strap. Crimped into the other end of the tube is a wooden choke sealed by a paper disc.
Secured to the rocket tube is a steel bridle, which extends beyond the wooden choke and carries a hinged stirrup. One end of a steel rope tail is screwed to the base of the stirrup. The end of the tail is protected from the heat of the burning propellant composition by an asbestos sheath. The other end of the tail is spliced to form a loop to which is attached a 12 ft. hemp rope. The rope is coiled into a paper envelope, which has a cotton loop attached to it. The envelope, with the rope inside, is attached to the rocket by a rubber band when supplied.
The wooden plug in the flare container carries a recess which houses a small quantity of gunpowder and a length of quickmatch. The quickmatch contacts both the gunpowder and the rocket composition.
The flare candle consists of a cardboard cylinder held in place in the flare container with cotton-wool packing, and closed at one end by a wooden block. This block has a pin passing through it to take one end of the wire strap of the parasheet. At the other end of the cardboard cylinder is secured a washer, housing a gunpowder charge which is held in place by a muslin disc. Above this disc is placed a small amount of priming composition. An illuminating composition fills the remainder of the candle.
The parasheet and the wire strap are packed into the flare container with packing cylinders, and the container is closed by a metal lid secured with adhesive tape.
The flare container is painted aluminum over-all. The filling and manufacturing information is stenciled on the container in black letters.
Functioning
No information about functioning.
See Also
Source(s)
OP 1665, British Explosive Ordnance (1946)
