Description
This rocket is used to indicate the presence of low flying enemy aircraft to patrolling fighters, and to assist in sea rescue searches at night. The rocket is fired from a Type B Rocket Projector, Mk III or IV, using a 60 grain percussion cartridge.
The rocket consists of a rocket tube, a sliding tail, and a flare container, which houses a burster charge, flare candle, and parachute. The rocket tube is filled with a rocket propellant composition, having a conical cavity in the center, and is closed at one end by a gunmetal choke crimped in position. The choke is closed by a paper seal. At the other end of the rocket tube are a wooden block and a clay plug, with a hole to receive a length of quickmatch. The flare container is crimped to a metal junction head secured by screws to the wooden block. Housed in the junction head are a wooden washer, covered with primed cambric, and the burster charge, which is held in place by another wooden washer.
The flare candle consists of a rolled paper case, strengthened at one end by a tin-plate cup, and held in place by felt packing. The strengthened end of the case contains a fusible metal cup having a central hole. This cup houses a quantity of priming composition, which is held in place by a primed cambric disc and a paper washer. The main illuminating composition of the candle is held in place by a millboard disc. A suspension cup, riveted to the paper case, carries a piece of wire wrapped at both ends with adhesive tape. One end of a wire strap is looped around the middle of the wire. The other end of the wire strap is attached to a 36-in. parachute, which is packed into the flare container between a wooden washer, millboard spacers, and a wooden disc. The top of the flare container is closed by a metal lid secured in place with adhesive tape.
The sliding tail is of the drum type. When the rocket is fired, the tail slides along the rocket tube until arrested by the metal choke. A leaf spring attached to one of the tail fins then holds the tail in the extended position.
The flare container is painted aluminum over-all, with filling and manufacturing information stenciled on the container in black letters.
Functioning
No information about functioning.
See Also
Source(s)
OP 1665, British Explosive Ordnance (1946)
