This rocket projector is designed for use on half-tracked armored personnel carriers. The principal feature of the device is the carrier plate, three of which are mounted on each side of the half-track. Each is adjustable for elevation of 5° to 45°, and is believed to be equipped with an elevating scale. The actual projector consists of the crate in which the
German: p. 350 (May 1, 1945)
This projectile is fired from the Raketenwerfer 61 (see pages 38.3 and 38.4). It shows a radical departure from standard spin-stabilized rocket design by the use of insert splines at the after end of the motor body. These splines, fitting into the rifling of the projector liner, aid in giving an initial spin to the projectile.
The rocket consists of three main assemblies: the high explosive body, motor body, and nozzle assembly.
The high explosive body of two-piece welded construction is threaded internally at its after end to receive the motor body. The booster pocket and fuze adapter assembly is welded in position at the nose of the high explosive body. The bourrelet is located just behind the welded junction of the ogive and the cylindrical section.
The motor body is threaded externally to screw into the high explosive body and internally to receive the nozzle assembly. Both the explosive body and nozzle assembly are secured by means of two diametrically opposed set screws. Nine grooves for the splines are machined into the base of the periphery of the motor body. The high explosive body is filled with 270 pounds of the German explosive charge 13A, which is 50/50 poured amatol.
The 32 venturi holes in the nozzle plate are set at an angle of 14° to the axis of the rocket. In the center of the nozzle plate there is a threaded hole to receive the igniter primer for the rocket propellant.
A rear spacer ring welded to the nozzle plate aids in the positioning of the outer row of propellant charges.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Caliber | 38 cm (15 ins. approx.) | |
| Total weight of rocket | 761 lbs. | |
| Overall length (not including fuze) | 56.68 ins. | |
| Diameter of bourrelet | 14.94 ins. | |
| Maximum range | 6,179 yds. | |
| Weight of explosive charge | 270 lbs. | |
| Weight of propellant charge | 88.5 lbs. | |
| Fuze | Point detonating | |
| Weapon from which fired | Raketenwerfer 61 |
German: p. 354.2 (June 1, 1945)
The X 4 is an antiaircraft rocket designed by the Germans to be launched from planes. It was manufactured and reported to have been successfully tested, but never reached the point of combat operation. It is a wire-controlled, rocket-propelled, fin-stabilized missile fitted with a proximity fuzed warhead. The propulsion system is a bi-fuel rocket. Stabilization is achieved by means of four large fins fitted to the body of the rocket, and four smaller fins fitted to the tail. The smaller fins bear solenoid-operated control surfaces through which two-dimensional directional control is achieved. These are operated from the parent aircraft by means of a control unit and two insulated wires leading to the rocket. These wires are about
Precise information about the warhead and fuzing system has not so far been recovered. The warhead consists of an uncased moulded grain of dinitroglycol-based explosive which depends on high blast effect. The fuze is a combination of acoustic proximity, impact, and self-destroying type. The proximity feature is functioned by aircraft propeller noises and a delay of 1/50-second is provided to enable the missile to approach the target after the acoustic impulse initiates the fuze. The body of the rocket houses the helical aluminum tube fuel tanks and combined two-compartment steel air bottle. The venturi protrudes from the tail portion. The rocket is made to rotate about its axis at the rate of one rotation per second. This permits stabilization in line of flight by a single gyro. The missile is carried on the parent aircraft on a conventional bomb carrier modified for this special purpose
SPECIFICATIONS*
| Length (overall) | 200 cm (6 ft., 6 3/4 ins.) | |
| Length of warhead | 45 cm (1 ft., 5 3/4 ins.) | |
| Diameter of warhead (at base) | 22 cm (8.675 ins.) | |
| Total weight before launching | 60 kg. (132.3 lbs.) | |
| Weight of warhead | 20 kg. (44.1 lbs.) | |
| Fuel | 4.5 liters (approx.) 98-100% nitric acid | |
| 2 liters (approx.) 57% crude m-xylidine | ||
| 43% triethylamine | ||
| Thrust | Initial |
*Not verified.
German: p. 375 (August 1, 1945)
These two rocket projectors, or ramps, differ from each other only in construction details and in the material used. The Schweres Wurfgerät 40 is made of wood and weighs 115 pounds; the 41 model is of metal, weighing 243 pounds. Each is designed to carry four crates of the
Either model is adjustable for elevation. Firing is accomplished by the hand electric firing system provided for the crates themselves. Maximum ranges for these projectors are identical: 2,106 yards for the
German: p. 349 (May 1, 1945)
This rocket projector fires the
This device, which functionally does not differ from the
The firing mechanism is electric. Traverse (approximately 30°) and elevation (from 0 to 45°) are bymeans of cranks.
The piece is fired from its mounting and is held in position by two jacks in front and a small spadelike arrangement in the rear.
The equipment weighs approximately 2,460 lbs.
German: p. 349 (May 1, 1945)
This fin stabilized rocket projectile is fired from the German counterpart of the U.S. “Bazooka” (see page 217) and has a maximum effective range of 165 yards. Eight and one-half-inch armor penetration has been obtained in static tests with a standoff of approximately 6 1/2 inches.
The complete round consists of a point fuzed high explosive, hollow charge loaded projectile assembled to a steel tube with a venturi and stabilizer assembly attached, containing an igniter, propellant and electric primer. The AZ 5095 fuze is of the point detonating type which in tests gave an approximate fuze functioning time of 0.0002 seconds (impact to detonation). The projectile assembly consists of the following stamped sheet steel parts: a body which contains the bursting charge, an adapter, a collar, a band, and a slightly heavier sheet steel nose. A detonator-booster of the German Kl. Zdlg. 34 NP type is embedded in the bursting charge to the rear of the flash tube. The bursting charge is cyclotol (41.2% TNT, 58.8% cyclonite) weighing
A new type of ammunition, the R. Pz. B. Gr. 4999 is reported to give good performance up to a range of 220 yards, 25° C. (77° F.).
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight (complete, rocket as fired) | 7.26 lbs. | |
| Weight of high explosive filler | 1.47 lbs. | |
| Weight of fuze assembly | .175 lb. | |
| Weight of igniter assembly | .021 lb. | |
| Weight of propellant charge | .382 lb. | |
| Length (overall) | 25.56 ins. | |
| Diameter (external) | 3.437 ins. | |
| Burnt velocity at 50° F. (approx.) | 340 f/s* | |
| Burning distance (approx.) | 7 ft.* | |
| Fuze functioning time (approx.) | .0002 seconds | |
| Maximum pressure | 6,910 lbs. per sq. in.* | |
| Maximum thrust | 1,716 lbs.* | |
| Impulse | 87 lbs. second** | |
| Maximum effective range | 165 yds. |
*These figures are from firing a single round.
**These values doubtful; only one rocket motor was statically tested with propellant temperature 41° F.
German: p. 357 (August 1, 1945)