4.

5” AIRCRAFT ROCKET
MATERIEL

WAR DEPARTMENT . 12 SEPTEMBER 1944

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

The information containe~rrrestricted’d ocuments and the essential char-
.
acteristies 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 com-
municated 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, is published for the in-
formation and guidance of all concerned.

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

.[ 0.q. 300.7/2001 1
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); PE’s (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 Pap;.
SECTION I Launchers 1-12 1-12

II. Rockets .._................................ 13-19 12,-23

III. References .: 20-2.3 24-25

INDEX.. 26
TM 9.395 _

4.5” AIRCRAFT ROCKET MATERkL

 i

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 am-
munition. 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 am-
munition occurs during practice, the incident will be reported as
prescribed in AR 750-10 by the Ordnance officer under whose super-
vision 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 separate-
loading components, and condition unde‘r which fired.
.
b. Unsatisfactory Equapment Rrsport. Suggestions for im-
provement 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 Di-
vision, 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 DATA.
a. Launchers.
Mod., Ml0 Ml4 M IS !
Material of tubes...: Plastic Steel Magnesium alloy
Weight of launcher ............ 80 lb.. ... . ... ,190 lb:. ................... .86 lb
Length of tubes.. ................ 10 ft.. ......... .I0 ft ....................... 10 ft.
Thickness of tubes.. ........... Yi m..
... . ........ Yi in.. ................... :g,; in.

1
.,
TM 9.395
3.5
4.5” AIRCRAFT RO&ET MATERIEL

b. Rockets.
Length f‘ uzed ,,.,, ,, ,,.,.,.,.,, ,....,.,.,.,, ,..,.,.,.,.,, .,,,.. . ...’ ,,., ,.,.,., 33 in.
Weight fuzed L, .. . .. .,.....,.,. ,,,,.,. :, ,,.,., ,,.,.,.. 40 lb
Muzzle velocity . . . . . . . .Y
‘ :.:. . . . . . . . . . ...’ ..__..................850 ft per set
Range, maximum,. :, ,,. ,:, .:, .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 I
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 ten-

ter 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 plane’s guns.

5. 4.5’; ROCKET LAUNCHER iili4.

a. This model differs~from the Ml0 in that the material of the
/
tubes is %-inch steel. The tube assembly has sufficient weight to in-
s‘ ure its dropping when released end, es e consequence, the deflector
erms end strep are on&ted. In addition, the center strep is welded
to the tubes.

2
 /
TM 9.395
,‘
b:T,
LAUNCHERS
.,,

Figure 2-Launcher, MountedyFront View

6. 4.5” ROCKET LAUNCHER M15.

a. This model differs from the Ml0 in, that: the n&&l of ihe
tubes is 3/116-inchmagnesium alloy.

7. INSTALLATION.
a. General. The center strep, front and rear mount straps, ehd
deflector arm strep are held in position by e turnbuckle screw which is
tightened with a %&nch,wrench to prevent the strep slipping.

b. Tools. The only tools required for this operation ire AAF
wrench 44A906 or a 6‘ -inch adjustable wren& (or’ equivslent) and
combination pliers.

e. Procedure. a
(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 be-
ceuse it has been properly adjusted for tension et the factor~.,,Cha~ges

3
iM 9.395
7 ~
4.5” AIRCRAFT RQCKET MATERIEL

,,
,‘ :

,I!
 TM 9.395
i 7
LAUNCHERS

“.
; .
TM 9-395
7 ,’
4.5” AIRCRAFT ROCKET MATERIEL

Figure 5-Rear Mount-Front View

in tetision may result in tube deformation or in excessive looseness

after use.

(3) Loosen front end rear mount straps end the detle&or arm
strep so that each strep can easily be slid to the proper’ location. In
loo&ning the rear mount ,strap, the cotter pin and clevis pin must be 8
?
removed to permit adjustment.
.‘I
(4) L.ocate.the rear mount strep between the markings on the
tube for the partic+r airplane. These positions have been selected,
to best meet the following requirements:

(a) The lauticher must clear .the flaps or ailerons under all circum-
stences.

(b) The airplane center of gravity must be kept wthin p;oper

limits.

(c) The blest escaping from the’f ront and beck of the tubes must ,,
he sufficiently far from the airplane skin to avoid damaging it.

(5) The positions stenciled on the launcher correspond to the : ,;

values in the table below.
b
 TM 9-395
7
LAUNCHERS

Figure 6-l+1r M
‘ ount-Rear View
DiSt(l”C.Franbar of Tub.to cepter
Alrpk”* un* Of,RoarI+rDp,J?sh.r:
P-38 8
P-39 41
P-40 33’
P-47 30
P-51 25’,
A-20 3s
A-36 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 com-
press this spring SO that it will lie between the top of the rear strap
and the bottom of ,the rear’m ount.

7
TM 9.395
7.8
4.5” AIRCRAFT ROCKET MATERIEL

(8) Raise the front of the lauqcher and ,position the &oqt mount
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.
( 10) Slide the defl+tor arm strap rearward until the hooks on‘t he
deflector arm ,fit snugly against the front of the front mbunt without
jamming. Be sure that the hooks are in a position to slide freely into
the front post as the front strap leaves it.’ Tighten turnbuckle screw
and secure with a safety wire.
(11) The shield strap is in its proper position when the launcher
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.
(12) Examine the straps to be sure that all the screws have been
correctly tightened and safety-wired. Nqscrew should be so tightened
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.

d. Gaging. When the ,installation is complete, slide a rocket, tail

first, through each tube to insure that it does not bind.

8. LOADING.
a. ~Pr&paration.
(1) Test circuits as described in par&mph 9 b.
(2) Be sure all switches are off.
(3) Unpack rockets and fuzes and ass‘e mble as desciibed in para-
graph 17.
(4) If using Rocket MS or M9, be sure prop&lling charge is ad-
justed for anticipated firing temperature.
(5) Set the fuze for the desired action, super-quick or,delay.

b. Loading.
(1) Remove safety wire or pin from fuze.

8
 TM 9.3‘ 95
8
* LAUNCHERS
 1

T M 9-395
5.9
4.5” AIRCRAFT ROCKET’M ATERIEL

C2j Place nose of rocket in breech of launcher tube and push for-
ward. 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<ussion-
electric igniter (fig. 12);be sure that contact arm does not strike per-
cussion primer. Leave contact arms’in open position until plane is
ready for take-off.
(5) Load other tubes of launcher (no particular sequence ig n.&-
=Y).
(6) Snap contact arms into place.
(7) 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 mechanism, grasp tail flange, and with-
draw rocket.
(5) Replace fuze safety wire or pin.
(6) ,,Retum rocket and fuze to original condition and packings.

9. 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 air-
craft 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 cir-
cuit tester iS supplied with each aircraft installation. If the circuit
tester is missing or broken, a good substitute can be made by attach-
ing 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 pro-

jectiles or lowering the firing arms.

d. If rocket is equipped with percussion-electric igniter, be care- :“i

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

10
. . . .

LAUNCHERS
 . .
4 V-395
lM3
4,s” AIR&AFT RaCKCT WiTERILL. ’
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4.8” AIRCRAFT ROCKET MATERCCL

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 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~ con-
nected to a contact disk end B contact ring on the bqse of the cup
*

.b
: I
‘(fig. g ). In cwnb,itlation ig@terrp,a percussiad printer is assembled jn
!
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the base. ‘In later rimdels, the igniter is assembled in a long tube. at-
tached to the tmp with the imiter wirers ‘leading to ie aontmzt pJ+e
a
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in the mzzlea This pi& has, in’additicm ta the opntact riagq a cord
P-: 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
.? 33. Ptintiq. High-ex$osive rockets arts.jraint@ olive drab and
in yellow. Practice. mcht ahell at-e phited blue .and
.

j . narked
I
.:..
m&d in white, and the motor is painted alive drab and mmked
in yellcW.
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TM 9-395 .. +
‘14
4.3” AlRCRAFf RCYCRETMATER&i
 :.
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4.5”’ Al KCRAFT ROd KKT MATERIEL

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 ’ d, H&h-exploclive Rocket WLU and Practice Rockti WAB.
This modilicatio~, in additiam to the heavier motor *body, has a
smalIer, heavitw-walled rsM1.It6 tempwatum limits are the sat&,
-10°F to .I 105°F; and ita velocity is slightly higher.than the -&j
’ modifictrtion. * :.
e. Hi+-expkeive Rocker M8A3 and Practioe Rocket M9A3.
d... I_
In this mo@fication, each fim ha8 B slight .bur or crimp to insure a
‘! I .

.: . * . tight fit in the fin ring when the &a opens. The rocketr are otkwiac
the ~alfle as the -A2 modificationa. Temperawe
. . .-
,-.

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ranga are the
::
Sernt! w the-A2 roclcetra, . .
b .I’.
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:&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 -20’F
to +12O”F,

15. RDeKET FU= AND MCWF’ICATtONS k14, \. ’

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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
l .
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.
. *.
the first step
isthe forces of. aet-
. .

’ I
15 I
4.5” AIRCRAFT ROCKET MATERN

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._

REFERENCES

‘a!. List of Training ‘Filma Film Sttip& and Fjilti ‘. *.

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

21. STANDARD NOIMENCLATtJR~ LISTS, .

terido; recoil Kds, rqxciaI oils, and mb

cellaneous related it&s.. . .’. . _ , . . . .. . . ORD 3
BNL K:-1
I . ‘1

. I .
TM 9.395

4.5” AIRCRAFT ROCKET MATERIEL

INDEX
A Page
Auxiliary booster. .............. 22 ,materia1s used in,, ,.,. 11
Motor hdet) 13
C
Conservation cd materiel. ....... 12 P
Painting and marking (rockets). 15
D Percussion electric igniters, 10
D”l”my fuze M6. ............. 22 Propelling charge
description 13
F
high-temperature range 23
Fir&g
precautions ................. 23 R
preparstion for. .. : ........... 22 Reports, field report of accidents
Fwes, rocket, description, fuze-set- and, u‘ nsatisfactory equipment. 1
ting and arming of: Rockets
M4 ........................ 19 components .~. .‘ 13
M4Al...................... 21 description and data
MM2 ..................... 22 rockets 12
shell, motor, and propelling
I charge 13
Igniters, description ............. 15 fuzes,for :. .~..lQ, 21, 22
:
igniters; painting and marking. 15
L ,
mcdi8caticms
Launchers, rock,&
M8 and M9............... 15
dBCCpti0” 13
M8Al and MQAl.. ,:
Ml0 and Ml4 ............. 1
M8A2 end M9A2. ;. 19
Ml5 ..:. ................. 3
M8A3 and M9A3. 19
installation
,~ T22~and T46 ,...... .,: ,... 19
data ............ .......... 7
packing ., 24
procedure ...... : ......... 3
tabulated data .2
loading .................... 8
mai”tena”ce end failure to fire. 11 s :
precautidns in loa+ng. ........ 10 Shell, rocket, description. 13
tabulated data. .............. 1 Storage and shipment. 11
unloading, .................... 10 switches ; 10

M T
Magnesium tubes, +ntenance. 12 Tabulated data. 1
Maintenance (launchers). Tools, r&dred for installation, 3
after firing and during storage
aed shipment ........... 11 U
daily a$ before firing. 12 Unloading the launcher. 10
ftAFmnn445- WL 26