4.5-Inch HE Rockets
(M8, M16, M20, M32)
Fin-Stabilized 4.5-Inch Rockets (M8, M9)
The 4.5-Inch Rocket M8 was a fin-stabilized aircraft rocket, the first of this kind developed and used by the Army Air Forces. It was also used as a barrage rocket with ground-based launchers, the 8-tube "Xylophone" and 60-tube "Calliope". But since fin-stabilization is not very effective for low-speed ground-launched rockets, it was replaced later in the war by spin-stabilized rockets of the M16 family (q.v. below). The M9 was a practice round for M8 training.
Spin-Stabilized 4.5-Inch Rockets (M16, M17, M20, M21, M24, M32, M33)
The 4.5-inch HE Rocket M16 was the first of the Army's spin-stabilized 4.5 inch rockets. It was fired from 24-tube T66 and M21 "Honeycomb" and 60-tube "Hornet's Nest" launchers. The M16A1 and M16A2 were variants with different fuzing options. The 4.5-inch HE Rocket M20 was a derivative of the M16 for use with the single-rocket expendable M12 launcher. M16 rockets were used by the Army at least until the Korean war.
The 4.5-inch HE Rocket M32 was a significantly improved rocket, with higher speed, greater range, better accuracy and higher lethality than the M16 series rockets.
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| Image: via ORDATA Website |
| M16 |
The 4.5-inch Practice Rockets M17, M17A1, M17A2, M21 and M33 were inert rounds, to simulate the M16, M16A1, M16A2, M20 and M32, respectively. The 4.5-inch Inert Rocket M24 was used in handling and operations training for the M16.
Specifications
Note: Data given by several sources show slight variations. Figures given below may therefore be inaccurate!
Data for 4.5-inch Rockets M8, M16, M20, M32:
| M8 | M16 | M20 | M32 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 91 cm (36 in) | 78.7 cm (31 in) | 76.7 cm (30.2 in) | |
| Diameter | 11.4 cm (4.5 in) | |||
| Weight | 17 kg (38 lb) | 19.3 kg (42.5 lb) | 18.4 kg (40.5 lb) | 19 kg (42 lb) |
| Speed | ? | 290 m/s (940 fps) | ? | 380 m/s (1250 fps) |
| Range | 3660 m (4000 yds) | 5490 m (6000 yds) | 8320 m (9100 yds) | |
| Propulsion | Solid-propellant rocket | |||
| Warhead | High Explosive | |||
Main Sources
[1] Norman J. Bowman: "The Handbook of Rockets and Guided Missiles", Perastadion Press, 1963
[2] Frederick I. Ordway III, Ronald C. Wakeford: "International Missile and Spacecraft Guide", McGraw-Hill, 1960
[3] ORDATA Online Website
[4] War Department: "Technical Manual TM9-1950, Rockets", July 1945
[5] Department of the Army: "Technical Manual TM9-1950, Rockets", June 1950
[6] Department of the Army: "Technical Manual TM9-1950, Rockets", February 1958
Back to Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Appendix 4
Last Updated: 8 June 2024