Tiny Tim Rocket Zero-Length Launch Rack

[PretzelDarter]

Hello,
Described in both Naval Fighters #75: Grumman F7F Tigercat and F7F Tigercat in Action is a zero-length launch rack for launching the 11.75" Tiny Tim rocket without need for a drop beforehand, developed at NOTS China Lake and intended for the F7F.



Evidently it seems it's only for the belly rack, though I was wondering if it was also used for the underwing racks (I suspect not due to the rockets then being within the propeller disc but I'm curious nonetheless).
I assume this was used on operational Tigercats? Did any other aircraft make use of this rack? Any information would be appreciated.

 

[T. A. Gardner]

Hello,
Described in both Naval Fighters #75: Grumman F7F Tigercat and F7F Tigercat in Action is a zero-length launch rack for launching the 11.75" Tiny Tim rocket without need for a drop beforehand, developed at NOTS China Lake and intended for the F7F.

View attachment 760640
View attachment 760642
Evidently it seems it's only for the belly rack, though I was wondering if it was also used for the underwing racks (I suspect not due to the rockets then being within the propeller disc but I'm curious nonetheless).
I assume this was used on operational Tigercats? Did any other aircraft make use of this rack? Any information would be appreciated.

The 11.75" Tiny Tim was tested on a variety of aircraft at both China Lake / Inyokern and at the Salton Sea by the USN using, variously, F6F, F4U, PBJ, TBM / TBF, and SB2C aircraft. All used a fuselage rack and single rocket arrangement.

The USAAF at Muroc tested the rocket on P-47, A-20, and A-26 aircraft by the 4146th Base Unit (experimental). Testing found these aircraft unsuitable for launching this rocket due to damage to the tail of the firing plane and testing was dropped.

Operationally, MAG 51(VMF 513, 514, and SMS-51) with F4U trained at Cherry Point NC to use the Tiny Tim in Europe against V-1 launch sites. The unit departed for Norfolk VA on 11 July 1944. Shortly thereafter, the project to use these Marine fighters (60 aircraft 96 pilots) in Europe was cancelled due to the progress of the war in the ETO.

VMF 214 and 452 used this rocket in operations during the invasion of Okinawa firing a total of 108 from their F4U fighters. The planes were flying from the USS Franklin. On 18 March 1945, the carrier was hit twice while loading out for a strike. The resulting damage was severe enough to force the carrier to return to the US for major repairs. That ended use of this rocket at Okinawa until VMB-612 arrived just before the war ended.

VMB-612 equipped with PBJ-1J's (aka B-25D bombers) used this rocket in patrols in the Marianas from October 1944 and later from Iwo Jima. The planes were primarily used at night with AN/APQ-5 gunsight radars and an AN/APS-3 search radar against IJN ships and merchant ships. By July 1945, the squadron moved to Chimu Field on Okinawa in preparation for the invasion of Japan. The squadron used the Tiny Tim in conjunction with 5" HVAR Holy Moses rockets against shipping off Japan in the Straight of Tsushima sinking or damaging a number of smaller merchant vessels using one or the other rocket type.

Limited testing continued with the Tiny Tim for a brief period after the war ended, and the Marines used some in Korea from existing WW 2 stocks firing these from F4U.

 

[Justo Miranda]

I remember reading that the rocket was dropped like a bomb and the engine ignited after launch by means of a three-foot cable that connected it to the plane

 

[PretzelDarter]

The 11.75" Tiny Tim was tested on a variety of aircraft at both China Lake / Inyokern and at the Salton Sea by the USN using, variously, F6F, F4U, PBJ, TBM / TBF, and SB2C aircraft. All used a fuselage rack and single rocket arrangement.

The USAAF at Muroc tested the rocket on P-47, A-20, and A-26 aircraft by the 4146th Base Unit (experimental). Testing found these aircraft unsuitable for launching this rocket due to damage to the tail of the firing plane and testing was dropped.

Operationally, MAG 51(VMF 513, 514, and SMS-51) with F4U trained at Cherry Point NC to use the Tiny Tim in Europe against V-1 launch sites. The unit departed for Norfolk VA on 11 July 1944. Shortly thereafter, the project to use these Marine fighters (60 aircraft 96 pilots) in Europe was cancelled due to the progress of the war in the ETO.

VMF 214 and 452 used this rocket in operations during the invasion of Okinawa firing a total of 108 from their F4U fighters. The planes were flying from the USS Franklin. On 18 March 1945, the carrier was hit twice while loading out for a strike. The resulting damage was severe enough to force the carrier to return to the US for major repairs. That ended use of this rocket at Okinawa until VMB-612 arrived just before the war ended.

VMB-612 equipped with PBJ-1J's (aka B-25D bombers) used this rocket in patrols in the Marianas from October 1944 and later from Iwo Jima. The planes were primarily used at night with AN/APQ-5 gunsight radars and an AN/APS-3 search radar against IJN ships and merchant ships. By July 1945, the squadron moved to Chimu Field on Okinawa in preparation for the invasion of Japan. The squadron used the Tiny Tim in conjunction with 5" HVAR Holy Moses rockets against shipping off Japan in the Straight of Tsushima sinking or damaging a number of smaller merchant vessels using one or the other rocket type.

Limited testing continued with the Tiny Tim for a brief period after the war ended, and the Marines used some in Korea from existing WW 2 stocks firing these from F4U.

I can appreciate the general historical overview of the Tiny Tim, but that's not what I'm after specifically. I'm wondering moreso about the zero-length launch rail/rack, in that it represents a fairly unique installation in regards the rocket, which would otherwise be dropped before motor ignition on most other aircraft. To clarify: Is there any known usage of the same or similar zero-length launch rack design on any other US aircraft, or would it seem that it is wholly unique to the Tigercat?

 

[T. A. Gardner]

I can appreciate the general historical overview of the Tiny Tim, but that's not what I'm after specifically. I'm wondering moreso about the zero-length launch rail/rack, in that it represents a fairly unique installation in regards the rocket, which would otherwise be dropped before motor ignition on most other aircraft. To clarify: Is there any known usage of the same or similar zero-length launch rack design on any other US aircraft, or would it seem that it is wholly unique to the Tigercat?

From the photos I've seen--while not definitive--of the mounting on the F4U and PBJ, it looks like the exact same one used on the F7F. I have seen one photo of a PBJ in testing dropping the Tiny Tim and you can see the still attached umbilical cord used in early testing designs.

 

[Dilandu]

If I understood it correctly, launcher "arm" rotated on rear joint, lowering the missile out of turbulence before firing?

 

[Justo Miranda]

If I understood it correctly, launcher "arm" rotated on rear joint, lowering the missile out of turbulence before firing?

Stuka style extensible device pictures here

1943 China Lake Photo Gallery

 

[T. A. Gardner]

On the F4U there appears to be two different launcher assemblies tested and used. The first is a release cradle type that swings the rocket down to clear the prop before release and firing. This one was used on the centerline of the fuselage as shown here:

The second type, and the one that appears to be used more operationally, is a zero-length launcher offset on the inboard wing allowing the F4U to carry two Tiny Tims.

On the TBM / TBF it appears that the cradle arm launcher was modified to fit in the bomb bay

The PBJ rack looks somewhat different than these

https://imgur.com/VeG7xL3