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4.

5 AIRCRAFT
ROCKET
MATERIEL

WAR DEPARTMENT

12 SEPTEMBER

1944

RESTRICTED LU.WEMINL~TI~N OF R,WTKTED


MATTERThe information containe~rrrestrictedd ocuments
and the essential characteristies 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 communicated 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,
formation and guidance of all concerned.

A.G. 300!7 (4 Sep 44)

.[ 0.q. 300.7/2001

is published

for the in-

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); PEs (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.)

.
Parapro*s
SECTION

I
II.
III.

INDEX..

Launchers
Rockets
References

.._................................
.:

Pap;.

1-12

1-12

13-19

12,-23

20-2.3

24-25
26

TM

9.395

_
4.5 AIRCRAFT ROCKET MATERkL

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 ammunition. 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.

2.

REPORTS.

a. Field Report of Accidents. When an accident involving ammunition occurs during practice, the incident will be reported as
prescribed in AR 750-10 by the Ordnance officer under whose supervision 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 separateloading components, and condition under which fired.
.
b. Unsatisfactory Equapment Rrsport. Suggestions for improvement in design, maintenance, safety, and efficiency of operation
~prompted by chronic failure or m
alfunction
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 Division, through command channels in accordance with instruction
number 7 o n the form.
Such suggestions are encciuraged in order
that other organizations may benefit.
3.

TABULATED
a.

DATA.

Launchers.
Mod.,

Material of tubes...:
Weight of launcher ............
Length of tubes.. ................
Thickness of tubes.. ...........

Ml0

Ml4

M IS

Plastic
Steel
Magnesium alloy
80 lb.. ... . ... ,190 lb:. ................... .86 lb
10 ft.. ......... .I0 ft ....................... 10 ft.
Yi m..
... . ........ Yi in.. ................... :g,; in.

.,
TM 9.395
3.5
4.5 AIRCRAFT RO&ET
b.

MATERIEL

Rockets.
,,., ,.,.,., 33 in.

Length f uzed ,,.,, ,, ,,.,.,.,.,, ,....,.,.,.,, ,..,.,.,.,.,, .,,,..

. ...

Weight fuzed

,,,,.,. :, ,,.,., ,,.,.,.. 40 lb

L,

.. . ..

.,.....,.,.

Muzzle velocity . . . . . . . .Y
:.:. . . . . . . . . . ...
Range, maximum,.

:, ,,.

,:,

..__..................850 ft per set


.:,

::!

.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 t urnbicie
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
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 f ront end rear mount straps, there is B tenter 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 planes guns.
5.
/

4.5;

ROCKET LAUNCHER iili4.

a. This model differs~from


tubes is %-inch steel. The tube
s ure its dropping when released
erms end strep are on&ted. In
to the tubes.

the Ml0 in that the material of the


assembly has sufficient weight to inend, es e consequence, the deflector
addition, the center strep is welded

/
TM

b:T,
LAUNCHERS

Figure 2-Launcher,
6.

4.5

ROCKET

LAUNCHER

.,,

MountedyFront

View

M15.

a. This model differs from the Ml0


tubes is 3/116-inchmagnesium alloy.
7.

9.395

in, that: the n&&l

of ihe

INSTALLATION.

The center strep, front and rear mount straps, ehd


a. General.
deflector arm strep are held in position by e turnbuckle screw which is
tightened with a %&nch,wrench
to prevent the strep slipping.
The only tools required for this operation ire
b.
Tools.
wrench 44A906 or a 6 -inch adjustable wren& (or equivslent)
combination
pliers.

AAF
and

a
e. Procedure.
(1)
Inspect the launcher for obstructions inside, the, tubes end
cracks need the muzzle or rear, end. M
inor 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 beceuse it has been properly adjusted for tension et the factor~.,,Cha~ges

iM

9.395
7

~
4.5 AIRCRAFT RQCKET MATERIEL

,,
, :
,I!

TM 9.395
7

i
LAUNCHERS

.
;

TM 9-395
7

,
4.5 AIRCRAFT ROCKET MATERIEL

Figure 5-Rear

Mount-Front

in tetision may result in tube deformation


after use.

View

or in excessive looseness

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

8
?
.I

(4)
L.ocate.the rear mount strep between the markings on the
These positions have been selected,
tube for the partic+r
airplane.
to best meet the following requirements:
(a)
The lauticher must clear .the flaps or ailerons under all circumstences.
(b)
limits.

The airplane

center of gravity

must be kept wthin

p;oper

(c)
The blest escaping from thef ront and beck of the tubes must
he sufficiently far from the airplane skin to avoid damaging it.
(5)
The positions stenciled
values in the table below.

on the launcher

correspond

to the

,,
: ,;

TM

9-395
7

LAUNCHERS

Figure 6-l+1r

M
ount-Rear

View

Alrpk*

DiSt(lC.Franbar of Tub.to cepter


un* Of,RoarI+rDp,J?sh.r:

P-38
P-39
P-40
P-47
P-51
A-20
A-36

8
41
33
30
25,
3s
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 compress this spring SO that it will lie between the top of the rear strap
and the bottom of ,the rearm ount.
7

TM 9.395
7.8
4.5 AIRCRAFT ROCKET MATERIEL
Raise the front of the lauqcher and ,position the &oqt mount
(8)
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: T ie 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.
Slide the defl+tor arm strap rearward until the hooks ont he
( 10)
deflector arm ,fit snugly against the front of the front mbunt without
Be sure that the hooks are in a position to slide freely into
jamming.
the front post as the front strap leaves it. Tighten turnbuckle screw
and secure with a safety wire.
The shield strap is in its proper position when the launcher
(11)
is received. If it is necessa~ to mwe it during installations, unlatch
the buckle at the bottom of t he 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.
Examine the straps to be sure that all the screws have been
(12)
Nqscrew should be so tightened
correctly tightened and safety-wired.
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.

Gaging. When the ,installation

d.

first, through

8.

is complete, slide a rocket, tail


each tube to insure that it does not bind.

LOADING.
a. ~Pr&paration.
(1)

(2)
(3)
graph
(4)
justed
(5)

b.
(1)

Test circuits as described in par&mph


9 b.
Be sure all switches are off.
Unpack rockets and fuzes and asse mble as desciibed in para17.
If using Rocket MS or M9, be sure prop&lling charge is adfor anticipated firing temperature.
Set the fuze for the desired action, super-quick or,delay.

Loading.
Remove

safety

wire or pin from


8

fuze.

TM 9.3 95
8
* LAUNCHERS

T M 9-395
5.9
4.5 AIRCRAFT ROCKETM ATERIEL
C2j
Place nose of rocket in breech of launcher tube and push forward. Engage tail flange 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<ussionelectric igniter (fig. 12);be sure that contact arm does not strike percussion primer. Leave contact armsin open position until plane is
ready for take-off.
(5)
=Y).
(6)
(7)

Load other tubes of launcher (no particular sequence ig n.&Snap contact arms into place.
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
draw rocket.

mechanism,

grasp tail flange, and with-

(5)

Replace fuze safety wire or pin.

(6)

,,Retum rocket and fuze to original

9.

condition

and packings.

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 aircraft 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 circuit tester iS supplied with each aircraft installation.
If the circuit
tester is missing or broken, a good substitute can be made by attaching 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 projectiles or lowering the firing arms.

d. If rocket is equipped with percussion-electric


ful not to strike ,the percussion e&nent.
10

igniter, be care-

:i
,.

. .

LAUNCHERS

. .

4 V-395
lM3
4,s AIR&AFT

RaCKCT

WiTERILL.

: .

r.
.,
1..
:..
.!:i.
..
-;,
1.
,$.
-a
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P+
bk
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:s, .
...A
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ci.
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..
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c(:
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3. .

5
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.

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A.

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L

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.. .
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.: . .

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:w.: .
I: .

M %306
If

,
4.8 AIRCRAFT ROCKET MATERCCL

*.
.*
!

2:
.
: ..
...I

P-:.

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

.. . .

: :c. .. .
. ... . .

! ..
IC

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~ connected 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. attached to the tmp with the imiter wirers leading to ie aontmzt pJ+e
in the mzzlea This pi& has, inadditicm 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

.b

?.
. .

...

..

.:

P-:

.?

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.

.
j

.:..

. l.

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

*
.

.
:-..
,
. ..,
..

l. .

.. . .

TM 9-395 ..
14

+
4.3 AlRCRAFf

RCYCRETMATER&i

:.
4. . .I..
. .

;.
I

. .

4.5 Al KCRAFT ROd KKT MATERIEL

.. .

RA PP 26760

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.
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I.
.

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

It6

to

d...

Rocker M8A3 and Practioe Rocket M9A3.


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,
.
.
e.
Hi+-expkeive
In this mo@fication,

I_
!

.:

. *

. .
,-.

.
.

.-

..I

::
b .I.
.!.
:&a ..

f.
High-=ploeivc
RockerTZ2 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 -20F
to +12OF,
15.

RDeKET FU=

AND MCWFICATtONS k14,

\.

. . .
.,. .
7..y
Z.-r. . -I
,r.

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4
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2; ;:. .
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(-,

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3.

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4
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.
.
.
,
.. . .
.
(
..
.
. .
.,.

..

.
.

.
..

*.

)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.1SEC. 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.
isthe

the first step


forces of. aet-

15

I
4.5 AIRCRAFT ROCKET MATERN

\ <
,,

t
I---

--4.4

-i
RA w WV3

:.:

.:

,.

:
.,..i
.\

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I

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..

;
._
I

REFERENCES

a!.

21.

List of Training Filma Film Sttip& and Fjilti


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

STANDARD NOIMENCLATtJR~ LISTS,

terido;
recoil Kds,
rqxciaI oils, and mb
cellaneous related it&s..
. .. . _ , . . . .. . . ORD 3
BNL K:-1

*.

.
.

1
I

TM 9.395
4.5 AIRCRAFT ROCKET MATERIEL

INDEX
Page

A
Auxiliary

booster. ..............

22

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

fuze M6. .............

22

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

15
10
13

description
high-temperature

11
13

,.,.

hdet)

12

D
Dlmy

,materia1s used in,,


Motor

23

range

Fir&g

.................
preparstion for. .. : ...........
Fwes, rocket, description, fuze-setting and arming of:
precautions

M4 ........................
M4Al......................
MM2

23
22

19
21

.....................

22

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

15

Launchers, rock,&
1
3

installation
data ............
procedure ......

7
3

..........
: .........

loading ....................
maitenace end failure to fire.
precautidns in loa+ng. ........

8
11
10

tabulated data. ..............


unloading, ....................

1
10

tubes, +ntenance.

Maintenance (launchers).
after firing and during storage
aed shipment ...........
before firing.

ftAFmnn445- WL

12

13
fuzes,for
:.
.~..lQ, 21, 22
15
igniters; painting and marking.
mcdi8caticms
M8Al and MQAl..
M8A2 end M9A2.

,:

M8A3 and M9A3.


,~ T22~and T46 ,......
packing
tabulated

19
19

.,: ,...
.,

19
24
.2

data
s

15
13

;.

Shell, rocket, description.


Storage and shipment.
switches
;

13
11
10

daily a$

13

components
.~. .
description and data
rockets

M8 and M9...............

dBCCpti0
Ml0 and Ml4 .............
Ml5
..:. .................

Magnesium

shell, motor, and propelling


charge

I
L

R
Reports, field report of accidents
and, u nsatisfactory equipment.
Rockets

12

Tabulated data.
Tools, r&dred for installation,

11
12

26

1
3

Unloading

the launcher.

10

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