OVERALL LENGTH

MAXIMUM DIAMETER

TOTAL WEIGHT

GENERAL:

This rocket is fired from a hand-firing rocket projector and is initiated by a 30 grain percussion cartridge. The rocket is designed for rescue purposes on marine craft and for use by airfields situated in coastal areas as a means of contacting crews of aircraft which have crashed into the sea immediately after take-off.

DESCRIPTION:

The rocket consists of a wooden head made in two halves, which are held together with screws round the head of the rocket tube. The rocket propellant composition is contained in the tube, the nose end which is closed by a wooden plug and a clay plug. The after end of the rocket tube houses a plaster of paris choke, which is covered by a millboard washer and an oiled paper disc. A conical vent is formed in the rocket propel-lant composition in line with a tapered hole in the choke. The end of the vent nearest the choke and the hole in the choke are coated with gunpowder priming.

A bridle with a hinged stirrup is attached to the rocket, and a tail consisting of a wire cable about 3 ft. long is secured to the stirrup. The part of the tail nearest the rocket is protected from the head of the burning rocket composition by an asbestos sheath, and the free end of the tail carries a loop for connection to a buoyant line.

The buoyant line consists of 250 yds. of orange colored cotton cord, which is spe-cially treated so that it will float on water. It is coiled in a square cardboard container with a lid secured by adhesive tape.

The wooden head is painted yellow overall, and filling and manufacturing information is stencilled on the head in black letters.

OPERATION:

When the projector, loaded with rocket and cartridge, is fired, the flash from the cartridge ignites the gunpowder priming the rocket and at the same time forces the rocket out of the projector. The gunpowder priming the rocket compostion, which then takes over and propels the rocket along its trajectory. The rocket draws the buoyant line out of its container and when expended falls into the sea and floats on the surface.