fhE Poor Man's

The Poor Man’s

RPG
Shoulder Fired Anti-Tank Weapon
by

George Dmitrieff

© 1996 by George Dmitrieff

Published by Desert Publications

P.O. Box 1751
El Dorado, AR 71731-1751
501-862-2077

ISBN 0-87947-154-9
10 98765432 1

Printed in U. S. A.

Desert Publication is a division of

The DELTA GROUP, Ltd.
Direct all inquiries & orders to the above address.
All rights reserved. Except for use in a review,
no portion of this book may be reproduced
by any means known or unknown without the express written permission of the publisher.

Neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility for the use or misuse of the
information contained in this book.
 Warning
The information provided in this monograph is not intended for the manufac-
ture or use of the described antitank weapons.
Such weapons and devices are subject to various Federal, State, and local
regulations. Furthermore, the construction of rockets and warheads entails han-
dangerous explosives and propellants which can cause serious injury or
dling of
even death.
The Author and publisher do not condone nor take any responsibility for mis-
use of the information in the present text.
 1

Table of Contents

Chapter Page
Introduction vii

I. Historical Notes 1-1

II. Propulsion Basics 11-1

III. Shaped Charge Warhead Basics Ill-

IV. The Bazooka IV-

V. The Panzerfaust V-l

VI. Russian RPGs VI-1

VII. The M72 - LAW Vll-l

A. Appendix A-l

B. Bibliography B-l

V
 Looking through the pages of military
technology one common thread be-
comes apparent. It was the small, rela-

tively simple inventions which had a pro-

found effect on new tactics.
It was the simple stirrup which con-

verted an armed rider on horseback into

a formidable mounted war machine.
The attachment of a spear point to the
muzzle of a firearm changed the mus-
keteer into an infantryman with impres-
sive attack capabilities. The machine
gun, in turn, forced the infantryman to
use a shovel almost as much as the rifle,
and practically eliminated the cavalry
from the battlefield.
And lastly, the shoulder-fired rocket
with a shaped-charge warhead made
the tank (and the helicopter) quite vul-
nerable to fire by individual fighting men. A “Bazooka” used by Austro-Hungarian Army
If the rocket-launched antitank war-
m the 1860 s
'

head, as recommended by military technologists in the 1930's, had been ac-

cepted by the various General Staffs, the concept of the Blitzkrieg would have
been unthinkable.
While rockets were used since the twelfth century and the recoilless rifles were
tested by the end of World War these weapon types were not equal in perfor-
I,

mance to the conventional artillery of the day. Furthermore, there was no need
for antitank weapons when the tank did not exist.
The hand grenade has been called a one man's mortar. The shoulder fired
HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) warhead may be called a one man's artillery.

l-l
 The Poor Man’s RPG

Itis effective not only against armored vehicles, but has been used against
bunkers, and as an antipersonnel projectile against troops in the open field,
the Vietnam war the RPGs were even used against low-flying helicopters
In
with success. This last application is not new in concept either. Towards the end
of World War the German Command was developing a "Fliegerfaust" intended
II

to shoot down aircraft engaged in dive-bombing and strafing the ground troops,
The famous "Stinger" is the most successful of this type application. Some infor-
mation on these weapons is included in the appendix.
The first successful shoulder-fired HEAT warhead was the United States model
M-9 rocket launcher firing the 2.36 inch (60 mm) M-6 series rocket. This weapon,
introduced in 1942 in the North African theater of operations, was an Immedi-
ate success. The weapon's basic elements of a fin-stabilized warhead with a
shaped charge and standoff shield, propelled by recoiliess means, have been
copied and/or improved ever since. The Panzerfausts, RPGs, M-72A2 (l_AW), Viper,
Armbrust, Milan, etc., all incorporate some or most of the elements of the ven-
erable Bazooka.
Now, let's review the principal requirements of a shoulder-fired antitank
weapon. These are:
1
- LETHALITY - i.e. the HEAT warhead has to stop and/or disable a tank even
with a hit of the front glacis (the sloped front and most heavily armored part of
the tank).
The World War were generally adequate for this purpose. It must be
II missiles
appreciated that any change in the warhead weight has 3-4 times that effect
on the An increase in warhead size will require a larger
total projectile weight.
and/or heavier motor, more propellant and possibly a longer launcher just to
keep the exterior ballistics the same as before, is therefore most important to
it

keep the warhead as small as possible and light, without loss of terminal effect.
Such a light warhead in turn allows for reduction in the motor and propellant
elements.

2 PROBABILITY - the ability to hit a target depends firstly on the projectile

- HIT
characteristics,such as in-flight velocity, (thus the time of flight from the launcher
to the target) and the inherent accuracy (reduced dispersion due to better
aerodynamic shape, propulsion method, fin design, etc,).
The second factor of hit probability is the type of sights used. An expendable,
one-shot weapon usually uses the simplest kind of open sights. In turn a
reloadable launcher is generally provided with good quality optical sights. Fur-
thermore, such optical sights are normally sighted in with the launcher, produc-
ing a more accurate weapon. This was the principal advantage of the Bazooka
over the Panzerfaust.

3 - RANGE- a longer range for a weapon is always desirable because it al-

lows the shooter to engage the target earlier and also gives him a better sur-
vival chance against detection and retaliation fire.

1-2
 Historical Notes

The actual field use, however showed that the maximum effective range of
the World War weapons was only about 100 meters. Even today's improved
II

models are considered practical to ranges of 250-300 meters. The tank size,
moving target and the hit probability of the projectile are the limiting factors.

4 - PORTABILITY - the advantages of light weight and compact size are obvi-
ous. Unfortunately a compromise and trade-off are necessary in actual field
product. The factors affecting the final decisions (aside from subjective opin-
ions) are the tactical applications, anticipated major combat environment
(deserts, woods, towns, etc.), resources available, and urgency of the end-user
in getting the weapon. Again the Bazooka and the Panzerfaust are classic
examples of the final decisions of such factor evaluation.

5 - COST - the cost of a system representative of the labor and materials

is

needed to produce a weapon without sacrificing on the above-mentioned

performance parameters. This cost does not appear important when consider-
ing a few hundred or even thousand units. However, when such items are pro-
duced in hundreds of thousands and under emergency situations, the cost and
the resulting drain on materials and production facilities can become critical.
The Bazooka and the Panzerfaust are classic examples of final decisions based
on evaluation of the above factors.
While these weapons started with the Bazooka, a crew-served, non-
expendable, bulky launcher, with long range and good accuracy, the other
combatants made
other decisions.
The with the manual cocking of the launching spring was not
British “PI AT"
only a sad concept but did not compare with the systems described in this text.
The Red Army in the beginning of the war did not have the time and resources
for rocket propelled HEAT weapons. From 1 943 they did not see the need for it.
The Germans in turn did not see the need for individual antitank HEAT weapons
till the 34's started rolling over their lines.

When the war was over and the various weapon evaluations started, the
effectiveness of the Bazooka and Panzerfaust began to be fully appreciated. A
new era of design and development began.
The key improvements of the later systems were:

- Piezoelectric fuze (i.e. instant acting)

- Better aerodynamic form of the projectile

- More powerful high explosive charge

More reliable detonator

- Higher efficiency rocket motor

1-3
 The Poor Man’s RPG

- Higher performance rocket propellant

- Addition of a primary launching cartridge

- Improved in-flight stabilization due to better fin design

- Use of optical sights

- Use of optional tracking guidance

- Use of reinforced plastic instead of metal making components less

expensive and lighter

- Improved production and assembly methods

At present the development of more powerful lighter, more accurate, and

longer range expendable shoulder-fired HEAT-warhead armed weapons con-
tinues in many countries. Such development is not the subject of this monograph.
In the present text the 3.5-inch HEAT, M28A2 rocket has been selected as a
sample for the various re-enactment models. It is relatively simple in construc-
tion, reasonably reliable, and quite adequate for the purpose intended. The
drawings and sketches of the individual components give sufficient information
on the materials and methods of assembly of the rocket.
These methods were reflecting the knowledge and technology of the time.
As manufacturing methods and experience grew, so did the design of new
type rockets. The M72 rocket is therefore included for comparison. The most
obvious changes are the new rocket motor made from aluminum alloy instead
of steel and the tail assembly of thin blade individual fins. The ignition system has
been changed from electric to percussion primer, like the old Panzerfaust, or
the RPG. This allows for better storage life, simpler manufacture and a more
reliable ignition.
And finally, the performance parameters, such as muzzle velocity, range and
penetration have also changed. These parameters change quite often and
are more influenced by the purchaser's subjective opinions than rationale. This
is nothing new. It is similar to the continuous discussion of .45 caliber versus 9MM,

the 5.56MM vs 7.62MM, the high cyclic rate multi-barrel 20MM vs 30MM or
57MM, the IOOMM rifled tank gun vs the I20MM smooth bore, etc., etc. ad
absurdum.

1-4
 Section ii

Propulsion Basics

The principle of rocket propulsion is based on the law of physics "every action
produces an equal and opposite reaction. " This, in simple terms is demonstrated
in an example of a man sitting on a raft in the middle of a quiet pond. By jump-
ing from the raft into the water the man pushes the raft in an opposite direction.
The speed of the raft multiplied by the raft mass will equal the speed of the man
multiplied by his mass. Similarly, the rocket warhead, or the recoilless rifle shell
are the raft, while the gases (and other materials) "jumping away" "kick" the
rocket-projectile towards the target. The projectile "pushing" system may be of
three basic types.

A - a pure rocket in which the acceleration of the projectile is performed only

by the reaction of the propellant combustion gases. Such performance is en-
hanced by a suitable combustion chamber and nozzle configuration. Some
data on simple rocket propellants and rocket geometry are given in the Ap-
pendix. The Bazooka uses a pure rocket propelling system,

B - a pure "momentum" system in which the projectile mass (or weight) is

accurately balanced by the mass (weight) of the gases and the metallic or
plastic particles, Both are expelled from the tube with the same force and ve-
locity so that the shooter does not feel any appreciable recoil of the launcher.
The Panzerfaust was built on this principle.

C - a combination of the "momentum" and rocket. The two stage propulsion

method, which launches the projectile like the Panzerfaust type recoilless charge
and then several meters out of the launcher lights up the rocket motor. This
approach is more complex mechanically than the single stage propulsion sys-
tem but has the following merits:

- Lower launcher signature, i.e. less muzzle blast and smaller mass expelled
to the rear.

il-i
 The Poor Man’s RPG

Reduced launch velocity.

- Shorter launcher.

- More adaptable for use in restricted space.

- The expellingunit acts essentially as the first stage of a rocket system

improving the efficiency of the actual rocket motor.

- Allows for a more flexible design of the complete weapon system.

Allows lighter motor construction since the rocket propellant may burn
more slowly while accelerating the projectile down the range.

- Safety,in case of defects in construction and/or handling of the launcher,

motor and the propellant charge, the shooter is not subject to the same
high pressures and forces as in the single stage system. This is particularly
important when considering the closeness of the shooter's head to the
launcher during firing.

The penalty in using the two stage system is the inherently poorer accuracy,
particularly in cross wind. While a one stage launched warhead is subject
to the
drift only,the projectile-with rocket motor which continues to burn during flight
tends to turn head-on into the wind. The RPG7 is based on such a hybrid system.
So far everything is simple and straightforward, The real problem is in the prac-
tical configuration of such a launching method. The weapon must be as short
and light as possible. Yet it must be powerful enough to penetrate and disable
any existing (WW II) armored vehicle. It also has to have a reasonable range,
flat trajectory and good accuracy to hit the target (approximately
3m wide by
2m high) moving at about 7 meters per second.
To hit and penetrate such armored targets requires a powerful projectile. In
the past such a projectile was a high velocity kinetic penetrator, This was a
hardened steel or tungsten sub-caliber projectile fired from an artillery weapon
(gun or howitzer) of large caliber (75 - 150 mm). Obviously, a shoulder-fired
launcher required a different type of projectile. The solution was a shaped charge
warhead.
The basic characteristics of such warheads are discussed in detail in the next
chapter. Although the launcher was reasonably short and light, the warhead
had to be accelerated to its maximum velocity within the launcher length. This
in turn required a development of a special propellant which would burn at
relatively low pressure and produce a maximum gas volume within the time
before the warhead exited from the front end of the launcher. Details of the
material and design features of the propulsion components are described fur-
ther in the text.

11-2
 Propulsion Basics

An interesting characteristic feature of the antitank shoulder launcher is the

absence of recoil.
The propellant gases leaving through the launcher end nozzle (in the RPG-7
types) produce a reactive force forward, thus balancing the recoil forces. The
force of gases on the front portion of the launcher chamber produce a barely
noticeable launcher motion forward.
The performance specifications selected by the using service determine not
only the final choice of the warhead and propulsion components, but also the
type and form of the launcher. The U. S. Service apparently opted for longer
range and a reusable weapon resulting in a 150 cm long Bazooka tube. The
German Command selected a shorter range expendable unit, while the Soviet
designers (after WW
II) having the opportunity to study both systems, chose to

use the best features of both.

To appreciate the performance of the World War shoulder-fired rocket
II

launchers consider that the HEAT warhead velocity, through its effective range,
was about the same as the velocity of a .22 rimfire bullet, i.e. about 300 rn/sec.
The weight of the high explosive charge in the warhead was comparable to
that of 3-5 offensive type hand grenades. No wonder these devices are so popu-
lar with the irregular forces around the world even today.
The shapes and construction of these three basic launchers are shown in the
respective chapters.
The energetic materials employed in the shoulder-fired antitank weapons may
be separated into two groups:

A - Propellants, i.e. materials needed to launch the projectile to the target.

B - High Explosives, used in the shaped charge warhead,

Each of the above groups requires ancillary pyrotechnic and/or explosive

materials such as igniters, delays, boosters, fuses, etc.
The propellants are almost invariably high energy, double base (Nitrocellulose
with Nitroglycerine) powders adjusted for uniform burning at relatively low pres-
sure (±500 Atmospheres = 7500 psi). The burning rate is designed so that the
propellant grain is fully consumed within the time needed for the projectile to
exit from the launcher. The burning rate is controlled by the appropriate chemi-
cal composition of the powder and the actual geometry of the powder grains.
The control of the burning rate is more critical than that of normal artillery pow-
ders because the infantryman is exposed to any unburned or late burning, pro-
pellant while the gunner is not.
For playacting and reenactment demonstration only the following may be
applicable.
The most common solid propellant rocket fuel used by amateur rocketeers
are:

11-3
 The Poor Man’s RPG

Zinc dust powder 2/3 (by weight)

Sulfur powder 1 /3 (by weight)

The components are placed into a non-sparking (wooden) container and

blended by rotation and/or shaking of such container until a powder of uniform
color is produced For small quantities of propellant the most convenient method
.

is to place the components onto a sufficiently

large sheet of paper or dense
cloth. By alternate lifting and lowering of the sheet sides, the material
is uni-
formly blended. The blended propellant is carefully ladled into the rocket body
with a non-sparking spoon. After the addition of a small portion of the pow-
dered propellant the rocket body is vibrated by tapping with a wooden or

rubber mallet or an electric vibrator (hand held electric sander) To prevent an

open spark, the vibrator is enclosed in a heavy plastic bag.
The propellant will produce chamber pressures of about 70 Atmospheres (1000
psi).Addition of a small amount of ethanol to the blended powder produces a
paste-like mix which can be stuffed into the rocket motor. It should be cured at
ambient temperature for 5 to 7 days. The resulting rocket grain is a hard smooth
material which can be sawed or machined. The grain requires more burning
surface than the end burning type and therefore is usually formed in tubular
form. This propellant will produce respectable results in a reenactment weapon,
but the charge must be small to finish burning before the warhead exits.
The second, most common amateur rocket propellant is a mixture of:

Potassium nitrate 60 % (by weight)

Sugar 40% (by weight)
These components are blended in the same manner as the Zinc-Sulfur mix.
The blended material is then slowly and carefully heated in a double boiler with
glycerine (instead of water) to a temperature of 75‘ - 200°C (350 - 400° F). The
1

molten mass is carefully poured directly into the rocket motor. To prevent air
bubbles and stress cracks at cooling, all pouring ladles, funnels, and the motor
body must be preheated to the melting temperature of 175’C. The propellant
must be poured into the body in one step only. Any interruption in the pouring
process will affect the grain cooling and cause cracks, resulting in erratic burn-
ing and possible explosion. This method of propellant preparation is
used only
by experienced individuals with proper equipment and under carefully con-
trolled conditions.
The third basic rocket propellant is the venerable black powder which is avail-
able from sporting gun stores. However, the powder used in the traditional muzzle
loading arms is more powerful than that used in the rockets. To make a rocket
powder from the hunting powder approximately 40 grams of fuel (charcoal or
sugar) are added to every 100 grams of the hunting black powder. The charcoal
may be made from barbecue brickettes broken down and screened for size.
11-4
 Propulsion Basics

A one pound size coffee can with a piece of wood and a kitchen sieve are all
the basic tools you'll need. The same can with a plastic cover also serves as a
"blending drum" for the components, i.e. black powder and charcoal/sugar.
This propellant blend will practically duplicate the traditional pyrotechnic rocket
composition of:

Potassium nitrate - oxidizer 55 % (by weight)

Sulfur - fuel enhancer 10 %
Charcoal - fuel 45 %
More powerful rocket black powder propellants use a higher percentage of
oxidizer, while reduced power propellants use less oxidizer.

The rocket propellant powder (blended) is poured into the rocket motor body
in small portions and compacted as described in the respective section.
Many other types of reenactment expedient rocket propellants have been
tried in the past, Smokeless rifle powders were blended with acetone, paraffin
and other materials. The resulting propellant grains were sometimes difficult to
ignite, some produced erratic burning rates while others generated excessively
high pressures. None was as convenient as the propellants described previously.
The final source of propellant (and rocket motor) are the various rockets avail-
able from the hobby stores. These are generally the safest to use and are the
best choice if the whole rocket and warhead (dummy) are of cardboard con-
struction.
The rocket motor burning time and the appropriate length of the launcher
can be determined by the following simple method.
Take a launcher with a tube about one meter longer than the estimated final
length, Starting about three quarters of a meter from the rear end, drill in the
launcher tube a series of holes (about 3/1 6 inch in diameter) approximately ten
centimeters apart, toward the muzzle. Cover each hole with a piece of tape
(ordinary Scotch tape or masking tape). When the rocket (with dummy war-
head) is fired, the tape without burn marks shows the location where the pro-
pellant burned out,
the reenactment rocket motor the igniter (see schematic diagram) is placed
In
at the NOZZLE END of the motor. This is essential because the propellant in this
case is only one solid grain of Zn-S composition.
To make motors (and hence the whole projectile) lighter, yet strong enough,
the latest rocket motor bodies are manufactured from wound fiberglass fila-
ment. This very same method was used years ago to make the Winchester model
59 shotgun barrels. A paper-thin steel liner was reinforced by multiple windings
of fiberglass filament. The barrel was then coated with epoxy and painted black.

11-5
 The Poor Man’s RPG

REENACTMENT ROCKET NOZZLE DESIGN

FUEL: Zinc-Sulfur mix (2: 1 by weight)

flame temperature ±1450°C
burning rate 230 cm/sec

Recommended relationships of nozzle

Area of Motor = 3 Area of Nozzle

Area of Cone =7 V 2 Area of Nozzle

TABULATED VALUES FOR REENACTMENT ROCKET MOTOR DIMENSIONS

MOTOR BODY MOTOR ID ID 2
V ID 2
Dn 7V 2 D 2 Dc
3
NOMINAL SIZE MM =D 2
PIPE
Sch,40

r 24.4 642 214 14.6 1810 42.5

y2"1 41 1680 560 23.6 4200 64.7
M28A2 42 22 60
Note: the above reenactment motor values agree quite well with the ac-
tual Bazooka rocket motor dimensions, particularly when considering
the
differences in the fuels.

BURSTING PRESSURES FOR BUTTWELD STEEL PIPE

AS USED FOR THE REENACTMENT ROCKET MOTORS

PIPE NOMINAL PIPE SCHEDULE 40 (STANDARD WEIGHT)

SIZE inches OUTSIDE DIA. PIPE
millimeters INSIDE DIA. BURSTING PRESSURE
millimeters PSI

"
1 33.2 26.7 9100
17/ 42.2 36.1 7600
"
1V 2 48.2 41 6850

11-6
 Propulsion Basics

Note: For comparison, the 12-ga. shotgun barrel has an inside diameter of
1 8.5 mm
and the maximum mean (not proof) pressure of a shotshell is ,600 PSI
1 1

(slug load),
The ignition systems of the propellant cartridges in the shoulder fired launch-
ers are of two types:

a - mechanical

b - electrical

The mechanical ignition unit used in the Panzerfaust and the RPG may be
compared to the conventional small arms unit. A pull on the trigger releases the
hammer which hits the firing pin. The firing pin in turn strikes the small percussion
primer, igniting the booster and the propellant itself, This system is simple, safe
and Furthermore it may be inspected visually for defects.
reliable.
The electrical ignition system consists of an electrical energy source, mag-
neto or battery, suitable wires and an electrical squib (a hot coil) imbedded in
,

readily ignited booster. Pulling the trigger closes the circuit and sends an elec-
tric impulse through the wires to the squib. The thin wire of the squib is heated
red, igniting the booster and the propellant. This system is also simple and re-
liable, but requires protection from external electromagnetic impulses by care-
ful grounding. Inspection of the electrical circuit does require the use of an Ohm/
Volt meter.
The Panzerfaust of the mechanical type. However, due to the type
igniter is

(recoilless) and the geometry

of the launcher, such a mechanical igniter re-
quires relatively large amounts of machining to make it positive and safe.
For reenactment purposes it is simpler and safer to use an electric igniter.
Such an igniter may be attached to the propellant cartridge and seated into
the launcher tube from the rear, prior to insertion of the expelling counterweight
of sand and/or iron filings. This method assures that there are no openings in the
launcher tube.

In summary, the advantages of a reenactment electrical igniter are:

- It does not require the equipment and tools needed to build a mechani-
cal unit.

- The magneto assembly may be replaced by a battery.

- All components for the electrical circuit are readily available, off-the-shelf
items (switches, wires, batteries , igniter/hot coil, booster powder).

- The construction of an electric unit is simple and the tooling needed con-
sists of a pair of small pliers and a small soldering iron.

11-7
 The Poor Man’s RPG

Reenactment Rocket Igniter, Electric

11-8
 Propulsion Basics

REENACTMENT ROCKET MOTOR ELECTRIC IGNITER

EQUIPMENT:

1 - Small hand drill with assorted drill bits

2 - Single edge razor blade

3 - Small file

4 - Small soldering iron

5 - Scissors

MATERIALS:

1 - Flashlight bulb (PR2 or equivalent)

2 - Black powder, FFFG

3 - Adhesive tape, Scotch tape type

4 - Adhesive cement for plastic models or equivalent

5 - Stopper, cork or rubber (to fit the motor nozzle diameter)

6 - Insulated wire; electronic equipment type

7 - Flashlight batteries, 2 each, D-celi

8 - Soft solder wire

PROCEDURE:

1 - Clean off approximately 4mm (3/16") insulation from two wires,

2 - Solder one wire (A) to the side of the flashlight bulb.

3 - Solder another wire (B) to the insulated knob at the bottom of the bulb.

Note: Be sure that the soldered ends of the wires do not contact each other,
and are marked A-ground, B-hot.

11-9
 The Poor Man’s RPG

4 - Drill a hole through the center line of the stopper large enough for both
wires to pass through.

5 - Counter bore the small end of the tapered stopper so that the bulb body
fits in snugly and seats to the rim.

6 - Pull the wires through the stopper hole.

7 - Apply a small bead of adhesive around the counter bore hole edge.

8 - Gently seat the bulb in place.

Note: Be sure that the soldered joints are not damaged.

9 - For safety apply adhesive at the exit end (large diameter of stopper) so
that any accidental pull on the wires does not damage the soldered
contacts.

10- After the adhesive dries, take the stopper with the bulb and with
GENTLE and SLOW strokes file off the top of the glass bulb until a hole of
approximately 3mm (V e ") diameter is formed.

1 1- Form a small funnel from a small paper strip; SLOWLY pour the black
powder into the bulb so that it does not break the thin wire coil inside. Fill
the bulb completely.

1 2 - While keeping the bulb in an upright position (to prevent spilling the black
powder) close the bulb opening with a small piece of adhesive tape or a
drop of glue.

1 3 - Connect the two wire ends to the battery; wire (A) to the “ground" or
end. the wire (B) "hot" is temporary shunted (connected) to the ground
wire with a clip or other means.
The igniter is now ready for insertion into the rocket motor nozzle.

Notes:

- If a fine lead wire is not available, a piece

1
of light duty electric extension
cord (as used for small appliances) is usable.

2 - two (2) D-cell batteries (fresh) will actuate a PR2 bulb over 4 V meters (1
feet) of light duty electric extension cord.

11-10
 Propulsion Basics

3- After step 8check the electric conduction by two (2) D cell batteries; the
bulb should light up if all joints are good. DO NOT test the connections
after the buib is filed open; it would burn the bulb filament and make the
igniter inoperative.

The RPG2 is basically a copy of the Panzerfaust, hence the reenactment model
may use the same electric igniter as the reenactment Panzerfaust, The RPG7
uses a mechanical igniter for the expelling charge and a delay which in turn
ignites the rocket motor at a safe distance from the muzzle. Again, like in the
reenactment Panzerfaust it is simpler and safer to use an electric igniter for the
expelling charge and a delay igniter for the rocket motor.
 Chapter III

Shaped Charge Warhead

Basics

The shaped charge warhead of an antitank projectile is based on the tech-

nique of directional control of the energy generated during a high explosive
detonation. Instead of allowing the gases to expand in a radial direction, they
are focused into a narrow jet. This may be compared to a light being focused
by a conical reflector into a sharp beam.
In a shaped charge warhead the fuze fires a primer which initiates the deto-
nator which in turn sets off the main charge. The detonation wave of the formed
charge reaches the apex of the liner producing very high pressure, causing the
liner wall to collapse. The inner portion of the liner cone forms a molten jet trav-
elling at a high speed along the charge axis. The velocity of this gas-metal jet
approaches the burning rate of the high explosive used (i.e. 5000-8000 m/sec).
Such a jet may penetrate armor to a depth twice that of the liner diameter. The
jet-metal performance inside the target is further accentuated by the fragments
of the armor from the penetration hole.
For the best performance the liner is brazed to the warhead body around its
entire circumference, The joint is then carefully inspected and tested under hy-
drostatic pressure and very rigid controls. After the liner-warhead assembly passes
the inspection, the standoff shield and the conductive hood (if the piezo fuze is
in the projectile nose) is crimped and/or brazed to the warhead. After a final
waterproofing with a silicone-like adhesive the warhead is ready for filling with
the explosive charge.
The explosives used in the warhead are high energy materials. The final choice
is dictated by the availability of such an explosive, the method
of filling and
forming the charge and the urgency to transfer the weapon into the end user's
hands.
The 2.36 inch warhead (HEAT - M6) held approximately 450 grams of Pentolite,
a mixture of PETN and TNT in 50/50 proportion. The 3.5 inch warhead (HEAT -
M28A2) contained 850 grams of Composition B. The Panzerfaust 150 warhead
was charged with approximately 900 grams of mixture of RDX and TNT in 50/50
proportion. Both, the PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate) and RDX
(Trimethylentrinitraamin) are excellent high explosives - powerful, relatively safe

lll-l
 The Poor Man’s RPG

—
» OlMiisH :<« r mw
2.36 INCH HEAT M6A5
ROCKET
WARHEADl

3.5 INCH HEAT M28A2

ROCKET®
warhead!

1 1
1-2
 Shaped Charge Warhead Basics

in handling and storage, stable, and produced from readily available raw ma-
Their one main drawback is in their physical form. They are fine powders
terials.
and are not castable.
During filling and loading operations the PETN and RDX are usually blended
with a small percentage of a binder, then compacted into small pellets to pre-
vent dusting. Only then are these explosives deposited into the projectile (or
mine) and compressed in a hydraulic press. Shaped charge warheads with thin
and light walls are not readily suited for such compression of explosive filler. Thus
PETN and RDX are added in loose powder form to molten TNT and blended into
a thin porridge-like slurry. Such liquid is then poured into the warhead body and
solidified by cooling.
This is a very closely controlled one. The metal parts of the war-
operation
head are preheated to about five degrees Centigrade higher than the
first

temperature of the poured explosive.

While the explosive is being poured, the warheads are vibrated to such a
degree that a slight movement of the molten filler may be observed. The amount
of the poured explosive exceeds slightly the required quantity for each charge.
casting metals, eliminates the voids during shrinkage at cooling and
This, like in
assures a full and uniform warhead charge.
The overall performance of a shaped charge warhead depends on the fol-
lowing factors:

1
- Type of high explosive used in the main charge - the more powerful the
better.

2 -Standoff distance - the distance between the base of the liner and the
target surface. The target penetration increases with the increase of the
standoff distance until the standoff equals about 3 times the liner diameter.
Any further increase in standoff will decrease the penetration.

3 - Liner diameter - an armor penetration is about 1 V 2 times the liner diameter.

4 - Liner cavity form - a hollow cone of 42° produces optimum performance.
Other forms tried were ellipsoidal, paraboloid, etc.

5 - Liner material: of all materials tried, the best was copper, then steel; alumi-
num was not very effective.
6 - Liner walls : tapering of the liner thickness improved the performance.

7 - Projectile rotation: high speed rotation (such as artillery shells) markedly

decreases the shaped charge effect.

1 1
1-3
 The Poor Man’s RPG

If the shaped charge and the target were

stationary (tike a cratering charge)
the selection of the best condition would be relatively simple. However, the
target and the projectile are mostly moving during the impact. The standoff
distance then becomes a variable, depending on the impact angle of the
warhead and the strength of the standoff shield. Furthermore, the projectile
continues moving towards the target after the impact and before the detona-
tor sets off the charge. In the early models of the Bazooka,
Panzerfaust and the
PG-2, the detonator was fired mechanically by impact of a striker against
a
percussion primer, This induced a long delay,
Present day warheads use mostly piezo-electric fuzes and electric bridge-
wire detonators. This assures a practically instant detonator action.

Typical high explosive mixes used in the shaped charge warheads

are:

composition (by weight)

Pentolite PETN 50%
TNT 50%
This material has a density of: ±1 .0 gram/ml (granular form)
±1 .65 gram /ml ( in cast form)

Detonation rate: 5500 m/sec (granulated)

7300 m/sec ( cast)

Composition B RDX 60 %
TNT 40 %

Qctol HMX 75%

TNT 25 %

Pentolite, grade specification JAN-P-408 was used in the 2,36 inch M6A3
i,

rocket. Although powerful, it is not as effective as the Composition B or Octol.

Furthermore, in wet stage it is slightly corrosive to Copper, Zinc and brass. The
composition B with a detonation velocity of 7800 rn/sec is used in a wide variety
of explosive ammunition, It is powerful, stable, readily available and
relatively

easy to melt load. Octol, used in the M72 rockets has a detonation velocity of
8400 m/sec. Warheads with Octol filler have penetration and damage effect
about 20% higher than the same warheads filled with composition B. Octol also
allows a shorter standoff of shaped charges. However, at present the cost of
Octol is about 3 times that of composition B. Both explosives are usually melt
loaded at 90 ±3°C.
111-4
 Shaped Charge Warhead Basics

SCHEMATIC OF A MECHANICAL POINT-IMPACT NON-DELAY INERTIA

FUZE FOR A HEAT WARHEAD

1 - Safety pin is removed manually prior to loading of the projectile into the
launcher.

2 - Upon firing the acceleration of the warhead forces the setback plunger
back against the spring.
3 - This action releases the ejection pin; however, the pin cannot exit the fuze
body because it is restrained by the launcher tube wall.

4 - Upon muzzle exit the ejection pin flies out of the fuze and the fuze be-
comes fully armed.
5 - Upon impact of the warhead against the target the inertia of the firing pin
overcomes the spring force and the pin is driven into the primer, firing the
detonator and the main charge.

Note: All elements are shown in a single plane to illustrate their relationship, In
an actual fuze the components may be located along planes perpendicular
toeach other allowing for a compact and/or simpler assembly.

lil-5
 The Poor Man’s RPG

A simple mechanical fuze detonating on impact contains all, or most of the

components described as follows:

1 - Safety wire or strip - locks all other safety elements and must be removed
manually,

2 - Setback pin and spring - this spring-loaded pin prevents the ejection pin
from moving, During firing of the weapon the projectile is subject to sudden
acceleration. The inertia of the setback pin forces it back against its spring. This
movement allows the ejection pin to move partially out of the fuze body.

3 - Ejection pin and spring - when the setback pin disengaged, the ejection
spring forces the ejection pin partly out of the fuze. Since the projectile is still
inside the launcher this pin cannot fly out. Only after the projectile exits the
muzzle can the ejection pin leave the fuze completely. The ejector pin and
spring are also called "bore safety" element.

4 - Striker and
spring - only after the ejection pin is out is the passage free for
the to move forward, However, the striker is held back by the
striker (firing pin)
striker spring. The impact of the projectile nose against the target causes a sud-
den deceleration (of the fuze elements) The striker inertia overcomes the spring
.

force and allows the striker to hit and fire the primer.

111-6
 Shaped Charge Warhead Basics

Reenactment Fuze "M1995",BD, Instant

Note: 1 - This fuze is so sensitive that a drop head-on on a hard surface will fire it.

2- To ignite the warhead's main charge requires a booster; for reenact-

ment a three (3) gram pellet of black powder will expel the simulated
main charge (of flour).

3- The plastic components are attached with appropriate adhesive

at assembly; drill hole for safety wire before inserting the firing pin (nail).

4-An 8 penny nail with the tip cut off flat is suitable to remove fired
primers from the .410 ga shotshell 2 inch long case.

5- The bore safety nail is cut to fit the inside diameter of the launcher; it
is secured by a strip of electrical tape, or equivalent. During loading,
the tape is carefully removed while the safety is held by finger before

insertion of the projectile into the launcher.

6- To assure positive and reliable primer ignition be sure that the firing
pin (nail) strikes the center of the primer; use suitable washer and/or
rubber sleeves for this purpose.

111-7
 Shaped Charge Warhead Basics

The warhead HEAT body is made from steel extrusion with walls about 2 milli-
meters thick. This requirement is dictated by the need to constrain and direct
the filler explosion into a jet. If the body were made from a lighter and/or weaker
material such as sheet metal or plastic, the shaped charge would explode
radially like a grenade. Although the reenactment warheads do not contain
any high explosives, their overall weight is kept the same as the original HEAT
component. This gives the reenactment item more reality in appearance and
performance.
The reenactment warhead should be made from simple, readily available
materials. The construction should not require extensive machining. The equip-
ment should be restricted to such as is available in a typical household, i.e.
electric hand drill, Skilsaw, a propane torch, and maybe a few plumbing taps
and dies,
Following are a few work suggestions for how such a reenactment warhead
may be constructed. For the body, use an empty soup can with the top re-
moved and the edges rolled smooth. The bottom has a hole cut out to receive
a standard male-female plumbing coupling screwed in and retained by a nut.
The liner is made as follows. A piece of wood of a diameter equal to the
diameter of the can (body) is shaped at one end to the cone with a rounded
point thus forming a mandrel. The wooden piece is held in the vise so that the
pointed end Is straight up. Now cut a piece of cardboard (from a file folder, for
example) and form it into a cone on the mandrel. Seal the cut edge with tape
(masking, plastic, etc.) on both sides if necessary to make a strong bond. The
standoff shield is made in a similar manner, but using a stronger cardboard is
necessary. The standoff shield may be built up of several layers glued together,
until the desired rigidity is achieved. More on the standoff shield strength later.
The reenactment warhead is assembled in the following manner: The liner is
placed on the top (open end) of the body and secured with a tape and/or
epoxy adhesive. Allow sufficient time for the adhesive to dry before checking
the strength of the joint. If the liner is well secured, place the standoff shield over
the body top and secure it with tape and epoxy adhesive.
If an electric nose fuze is to be used, the assembly order must be modified.

The fuze is glued into the standoffs shield nose and the lead wires are carried
through the warhead body, before the liner is placed in. A little slack in the wires
is acceptable and will not affect the performance.

Now that the "metallic" parts are assembled, place the warhead upside down
into a suitable holder which will keep the warhead without damaging the stand-
offs shield. A tall glass jar or a ring with a stand will be acceptable. Do not use a
vise.
A good reenactment filler is talcum powder or flour with some bright red or
orange pigment added. It will give a visible spot on the impact. A handmade
paper funnel is Inserted into the warhead body base. The filler is then spoon
loaded into the body. Holding the warhead in one hand and gently tapping
the body will assure a tightly packed filler, After the body is full to the bottom of

MI-9
 REENACTMENT WARHEAD ELECTRIC FUZE

*) The switch must be tested with a dummy warhead to assure that the but-
ton does not compress the switch spring (and close the circuit) during warhead
acceleration at firing of the rocket.

**) Two AA-cells weigh 46 grams vs. 1 35 grams of one D-cell; a suitable holder
for the AA-cells is made from a strip of paper rolled on a 9/16 dia. wooden pin,
and kept from unrolling by a piece of adhesive tape. Such a holder is light yet
sufficiently strong to keep the cells in place during projectile travel.

***) Solder all contacts for secure and positive connections.

 The Poor Man’s RPG

of wax
the threads, remove the paper funnel and place a close fitting disc
paper over the filler. A small charge of black powder ( 3-4 grams) is then poured
over the disc. Another close fitting wax paper disc is then seated over the
pow-
is further secured by a small bead of
der, This disc adhesive (Elmer's glue, etc.)
around its entire periphery, The reenactment warhead is now ready for assem-
bly with the reenactment detonator and rocket motor units.

111-10
 Shaped Charge Warhead Basics

100

r depends
length

Material: wood for cardboard liner

hardened steel for copper liner

all dimensions are in millimeters

 HEAT Warhead Mandrel

Left - Liner Right - Shield

 The first successful individual weapon firing a shaped charge antitank war-
head was the U. S. ARMY model M-9 2,36 inch rocket launcher commonly called
Bazooka. The basic launcher with minor modifications and the use of aluminum
alloy components resulted in the Model M-18. During the Korean War the Ba-
zooka underwent a major redesign which resulted in the 3.5 inch M-20 series,
This weapon remained in service of the U. S. and NATO forces until the late
1950's. Its performance remains formidable even today.

Some data of these models are given below.

Model M-9 M-18 M-20

caliber of tube - mm 60 60 89

length of tube, folded - mm 800 800 760

ready to fire -mm 1550 1550 1330
weight of launcher- Kg 7.2 4.7 6.3

length of round- mm (HEAT) 495 495 600

length of warhead mm
- 270
weight of round- Kg 1.57 1.57 4.1
weight of warhead- Kg 0.9 0.9 2.05
velocity, maximum-m/sec 82.5 82.5 102
range, maximum-m 550 550 830
range, effective-m 250 250 275
armor penetration at 0° - mm 280

firing mechanism magneto magneto magneto

danger zone to rear of launcher - m 70
 The Poor Man’s RPG

The propelling system of the Bazooka can be visualized as a small diameter

rocket (motor) fastened to the rear end of the shaped charge warhead. The
motor itself consists of a high grade heat treated steel tube filled with multiple
propellant grains.
The rear end of the motor is closed by a diaphragm to create a combustion
chamber. After the hot gases from the burning propellant reach the desired
pressure level the diaphragm ruptures and the gases pass through the nozzle
to the rear. This action forces the rocket body in the opposite direction.
The Bazooka launcher is a steel tube (changed to aluminum in M-l 8) 61 inches
long with an inside diameter of 2,37 inches. The ends of the tube are flared out
to protect the tube body from dents which would prevent the entry and exit of
the rocket. The launcher is equipped with a sight pistol grip containing the fir-
ing mechanism and a skeleton shoulder support. The Bazooka is provided with
a coupling device allowing the tube to be folded into two 31 inch sections. The
model M-20 series launchers are enlarged and improved versions of the original
M-9 model. The Bazooka is very effective, yet elegant by its simplicity. Following
are some drawings showing the nomenclature and the details of the construc-
tion.

IV-2
The Bazooka
 The

Poor

IV-4

Man’s

1055-575-0064 (M20)
1055-840-1841 (M20A1) RPG
1055-840-1842 (M20A1B1)
1055-591-0217 (M20B1)
DIFFERENCES AMONG MODELS:
THE BARRELS OF THE M20 AND M20A1 ARE MANUFACTURED FROM
ALUMINUM TUBE STOCK AND THE COMPONENT PARTS ARE
FASTENED BY MEANS OF SCREWS. THE BARRELS OF THE M20A1B1
AND M20B1 ARE ALUMINUM CASTINGS AND MANY OF THE COM-
PONENT PARTS OF THE BARREL ARE CAST INTEGRAL WITH THE
 The Bazooka

BARREL ASSEMBLY, FRONT

7147097 (19204)
1055-714-7097

Front barrtU and contactor latch actembly

BARREL, FRONT: AL, 80 LG

7140582 (19204)
1055-714-0582

LATCH ASSEMBLY,
CONTACTOR:
7184159 (19204)
1065-718-4169

FRONT BARREL ASSEMBLY

(M20A1 ONLY)
The Poor Man’s RPG

REAR BARREL ASSEMBLY

(M20A1 ONLY)

7140263

IV-6
The Bazooka

REAR BARREL ASSEMBLY

(M20A1B1 ONLY)

IV-7
 The Poor Man’s RPG

CONTACTOR LATCH ASSEMBLY

7162791 (M20A1 AND M20A1B1)

1 PIN, COTTER: S, CD-PLTD, %,

DIA, Mi LG.
MS 24665-132 (96*06)
6316-989-2326
2 WASHER, LOCK: INT-TEETH, S,

CD- OR ZN-FLTD W/CHRO-

MATE-PIN, NO. 6 SCREW
S12E.
US SmS-20 (96906)
6310-696-7236

IV-8
 The Bazooka

RE-ENACTMENT 3.5 INCH ROCKET M28A2

STAND-OFF SHIELD
formed cardboard

evaporated milk can, 12 FL

75 mm OD (± 3 inches)

(fits inside a 3 inch PVC

schedule 40 plastic pipe)

FILLER (approx. 850 gram)

- MOTOR BODY
1H inch nominal size stee
(1.90 inch t)D)
 The Poor Man’s RPG

NUT, SELF-LOCKING, WING:

NO. 10-24NC-2B, 1% WING W,
H 0/A H.

IV- 10
 The Bazooka

FIRING MECHANISM GROUP

(M20A1 AND M20AIB1)

The Bazooka trigger mechanism conforms to the following requirements:

trigger pull, lbs. 7 - 14

electric power generated - 48 milliwatt-seconds

electric firing system - 3 consecutive trigger pulls 30 seconds apart

IV-11
 The Bazooka

REFLECTING SIGHT GROUP

(M20A1 AND M20A1B1)

WASHER, ELEVATION PLATE

7811799 (19205)
1055-781-1799

•WASHER, LOCK: INT-TEETH,

CD- OR ZN-PLTD W/CHRO-
MAT£-FIN„ NO. 6 SCREW SIZE
MS 86888-20 (96906)
6310-596-7235
PLATE, ELEVATION
7162948 (19204)
1065-716-2948 SCREW, MACHINE: FIL-HD, S,
CD- OR ZN-PLTD, NO. 6-S2NF-
2A, X LG, ELEV PLATE.
131885 (12204)
6305-013-1886
SIGHT ASSEMBLY, REFLECT-
ING:
7162947 (19204)
1240-716-2947

'WASHER, SPRING TENSION: S,

PHOS-CTD AND ENAMEL,
OLIVE DRAB, %ID, H OD,
0.020 THK, 0.082 O/A H.
7138893 (19204)
6310-718-8393
The Poor Man’s RPG

REFLECTING SIGHT ASSEMBLY

<182947

3.5 inch ROCKET LAUNCHER

(Drawing D71854Z5, section A-A)

IV- 14
 The Poor Man’s RPG

JELL 1 NUMBER
I LAUNCHER ROCKET 35 M20AI MIL-L-696
2
3
4
5 ALUMINUM-ALLOY (AL-17 BARS. RODS, SHAPES & WIRE OO-A-351
6 ALUMINUM ALLOY 24S:BARS. RODS. AND WIRE-ROLLED OR DRAWN QQ-A-268
7 ALUMINUM ALLOY 24s; BARS, RODS AND SHAPES-EXTRUDED QQ-A-267
8 ALUMINUM ALLOY [AL-24). PLATES, SHEETS & STRIPS QG-A-355
9 ALUMINUM ALLOY DIE-CASTINGS QQ-A-S91
10 ALUMINUM ALLOY; FORGINGS, HEAT-TREATED QQ-A-367
1 1 ANODIC-FILMS; CORROSION PROTECTIVE, FOR AL ALLOYS FXS-963
12
13
14
15 BRASS, COMMERCIAL, BARS, PLATES, RODS. SHAPES, SHEETS AND STRIPS QQ-B-61
16
17 BRASS. LEADED AND NON-LEADED COPPER-ZINC ALLOY RODS,
IS BARS,. SHAPES, AND FORGINGS QQ-B626
19 BRONZE, PHOSPHOR; BARS, PLATES, RODS, SHAPES. SHEETS, & STRIPS AA-B-746
20
21
22
23 CABLE, ('HOOK-UP WIRE"), ELECTRIC, INSULATED JAN-C-76
24 CLEANING, PRESERVING, PACKAGING, PACKING AND MARKING OF
25 SMALL ARMS SPARE PARTS SAPD-1000
26 COMPOUND CORROSION PREVENTIVE PETROLATUM-TYPE,
27 HOT APPLICATION MIL-C-1 1 796
28 COPPER BARS, RODS AND SHAPES QQ-C-502
29 COPPER SILICON ALLOY. CASTINGS QQ-C-593
30 COATINGS, PHOSPHATE. PROTECTIVE [FOR IRON AND STEEL) MIL-C-1 2968
31
32
33 ENAMEL. SYNTHETIC LUSTERLESS TT-E-527
34_ ENAMEL, SEMI-GLOSS. RUST-INHIBITING TT-E-485
35
36_
37_ FILMS CHEMICAL CORROSION PREVENTIVE FOR AL & AL
38 -ALLOYS MIL-C-5541
39 FINISHES, PROTECTIVE FOR IRON AND STEEL PARTS 57-0-2
40 FLUX, SOLDERING PASTE Q-F-506
41
42
43.
44 GLASS FIBER; YARN. CORDAGE. SLEEVING. CLOTH AND TAPE MIL-G-1 140
45 GREASE. LUBRICATING, GRAPHITE VV-G-671
46
47
48
49 INSULATION; ELECTRICAL. SYNTHETIC- RE SIN COMP, NON RIGID MIL-l-631
50 IRON, MAGNETIC. BAR, SHEET. AND STRIP MIL-1- 1 1695
51
52
53
54 LENS. REFLECTING SIGHT, ASSEMBLY MIL-L10000
55 LUBRICATING-OIL PRESERVATIVE, SPECIAL JAN-L-644
56
57
58 MANUFACTURE AND INSPECTION OF SMALL ARMS WEAPONS AND
59 ACCESSORIES 52-0-1
60_ METALS,GENERAL SPECIFICATION FOR INSPECTION OF QQ-M-151
61 PERMANENT MAGNEL SHAPES QQ-M60
62 PHENOLIC (MOLDED SHAPES’) MIL- P-1 0420

IV- 16
 059
The Bazooka

63 PLASTIC-MATERIALS, LAMINATED THERMOSETTING RODS & TUBES MIL-P-79

64 PLASTIC MATERIALS, LAMINATED THERMOSETTING SHEETS & PLATES MIL-P-31 1

66 PLASTICS, ORGANIC. GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS TEST METHODS L-P-406

66 PLASTIC. POLYSTYRENE. MOLDED L-P-461
6/ PLASTIC. POLYETHYLENE. MOLDED AND EXTRUDED SHAPES.
68 SHEETS AND TUBING MIL-P-3803
69 PRIMER. ZINC. YELLOW 3-201

71
72
73 RUBBER* SYNTHETIC RUBBER COMPOUNDS, GENERAL PURPOSE
74 (EXCEPT TIRE, INNER TUBES SPONGE RUBBER AND HARD RUBBER) MIL-R-3065
7b
76
7/
78 SOLDER, SOFT (TIN, TIN-LEAD, AND LEAD-SILVER) QQ-S-571
79 STEEL, ALLOY BARS (GENERAL PURPOSE) QQ-S-624
80 STEEL. CARBON, BARS (GENERAL PURPOSE) QQ-S-633
81 STEEL. CARBON, SHEET AND STRIP QQ-S-640
82 STEEL. CORROSION-RESISTING. BARS. AND FORGINGS EXCEPT
83 FOR REFORGING QQ-S-763
84 STEEL. SPRING SPECIAL COLD ROLLED STRIP ANNEALED SXS-160
8b_ STEEL. TOOL, ALLOY QQ-S-778

IT" SURFACE ROUGHNESS WAVINESS AND LAY MIL-STD- 1

38
89
90
91 " TUBING. AL-ALLOY AL-24 AL-CU-MG-0 .5%) -MN. ROUND SEAMLESS WW-T-785
92 TUBING, BRASS, LEADED. ROUND, SEAMLESS 57-191
93
94
95
96 VARNISH MOISTURE-AND FUNGUS-RESISTANT FOR THE TREATMENT
97 OF COMMUNI CATIONS, ELECTRONICS, AND ASSOCIATED ~ “
98 FI FCTRICAl EQUIPMENT
" MIL-V-1 73
99
100“
roi
102 WELDING. NOMENCLATURE AND DEFINITIONS MIL-STD-20
103 WELDING OF CONSTRUCTIONAL STEEL, GAS. MANUAL OR MACHINE,
04 FOR ARTILLERY AND SMALL ARMS MATERIAL EXCLUDING
105 SUBMARINE MINES AND OBSERVATION TOWERS
T06~ WELDING OF CONSTRUCTION STEEL, RESISTANCE SPOT 57-206-21
107 WELDING SYMBOLS JAN-STD-1
108 WIRE. MAGNET JAN-W-583
109 WIRE, STEEL (CARBON), BARE & ZINC COATED
' QQ-yVj^J
Tip WIRE, STEEL CARBON, SPRING. MUSIC QQ-W-470
WIRE, STEEL CORROSION-RESISTING QQ-W423
nr WIRE. STEEL SPRING, FOR SMALL ARMS WEAPONS 48-7-1

IV- 17
 1 5 2
3
The Poor Man’s RPG

f LIST OF DRAWINGS D7 185425 SHT 1

2 LIST OF SPECIFICATIONS D7 185425 SHT

3 SIDE VIEWS D7185425 SHT
4
ft

6 COMBINED OF ALL PARTS & SPARE PARTS

LIST D7 145211
7 COMBINED OF ALL PARTS & SPARE PARTS
LIST D8237083
ft COMBINED OF ALL PARTS. SPARE PARTS.
LIST
9 EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS D7 189990
in
1

i?
ift DIAGRAM TARGETING D7 138250
14
15
16 ASSEMBLIES
17 BARREL. FRONT ASSEMBLY D7 147097
18 SIGHT. REFLECTING. ASSEMBLY D7 162947
19 STOCK ASSEMBLY D7 190952
?n BARREL, REAR. ASSEMBLY D73 13343
21
2? MECHANISM, ELECTRICAL FIRING, GROUP ASSEMBLY C7 140325
23 COIL ASSEMBLY. FIELD C7141237
24 ARM AND YOKE ASSEMBLY C7 145540
25 LATCH CONTACTOR ASSEMBLY C7 162791
26 HANDLE CONTROL ASSEMBLY C7 18541
27 ARM AND LOCK ASSEMBLY C7 187705
28 LEVER ASSEMBLY C7 188566

3CT
31
32 BRACKET, SIGHT. ASSEMBLY B77 140253
33 GRIP, LEFTHAND, AND SAFETY ASSEMBLY B7141235
34 MECHANISM, ELECTRICAL FIRING ASSEMBLY B7141236
35 LATCH ASSEMBLY, BARREL B7 146803
36 LATCH, CONTACTOR. GROUP ASSEMBLY B7184159
37 SPRING DETENT ASSEMBLY B7 185420
38 FRAME, LENS ASSEMBLY B7 188066
39 BRACKET, SLING, ASSEMBLY B7 188803
40 POST & FRAME ASSEMBLY B7 188830
STRAP ASSEMBLY (WELDMENT) B7 188841
42 LINKAGE ASSEMBLY B7 188867
43 CABLE, CONTACT LEAD ASSEMBLY B7 188925
44
45“
46 PLATE. BACK AND BRACKET, ASSEMBLY A7 141 227
47 TRIGGER AND SPRING ASSEMBLY A7 141 228
48""“
LATCH ASSEMBLY A7 141 229
49 RIGGER AND LATCH ASSEMBLY A7141230
50_ ARMATURE, SLEEVE AND SPRING ASSEMBLY A7 141 231
(X )P AND BOSS ASSEMBLY A7 142467
52”
53 SWIVEL. SLING. ASSEMBLY A7 142468
54 SOCKET, ASSEMBLY A7 185421
55
56 BARREL LATCH. ASSEMBLY
BOLT, A7313349
57 SUPPORT, GRIP, ASSEMBLY A7 3 13428
58 CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY A8402353
59
60 PACKING AND MARKING DRAWINGS
61 LIST OF PACKAGED SPARE PARTS

IV- 18
 The Bazooka

Top: 2.36 inch HEAT M6A5 rocket Bottom: 3.5 inch HEAT M28A2 rocket

IV- 19
 The Poor Man’s RPG

The M6 series projectile consists of the HEAT warhead, fuze, motor with pro-
pellant, electric igniter and a nozzle and fin assembly. The basic components
are shown below.
The 60 millimeter HEAT warhead is of the classic type with a steel body, ogive

shaped stand-off shield, copper liner and Pentolite main charge. The warhead
body base is fastened to a male threaded union.
The M401 fuze is a simple, non-delay, inertia actuated type. consists of aIt

detonator, percussion primer, spring restrained inertia firing pin and two safeties.
One is a manual safety pin removed at loading, another is a bore-riding safety
pin released by the set-back during firing and held in place by the launcher
tube wall until the projectile leaves the muzzle. The fuze assembly is housed in
the front portion of the rocket motor. The M401 fuze is extremely sensitive. A
blow on the warhead nose equivalent to a 30mm (5 inch) drop on a hard
1

surface will fire the warhead.

The M6 rocket motor is a seamless, heavy wall, steel tubing 31 ,7mm (1 4 inch)
outside diameter and 25.7 mm ( inch) inside diameter with a wall thickness of
1

3.0 mm ( V 8 inch). The front of the motor is a steel part brazed to the tube. It
serves as the base for the detonator-striker assembly. The motor front end is
threaded onto the warhead union piece. The motor nozzle is part of the fin
assembly.
The initial M-6 series Bazooka rocket motor contained a single cylindrical pro-
pellant grain 22 millimeters in diameter with a 6 millimeter hole through the cen-
ter. Thisgrain configuration gave a slow burning rate, particularly at low tem-
peratures. The grain continued to burn even after exit from the launcher with
the gases burning the shooter's face. Subsequently the propellant was modi-
fied. The new charge consisted of five individual grains of 9 '/ millimeter diam-
2
eter with a 1 .6 millimeter hole in center. The chemical composition was a modi-
fication of a conventional double-base powder and was called 'Blastless Ba-
zooka Propellant" (BBP) type M-7,

The M-7 propellant composition is:

Material % by weight
Nitrocellulose 54.6
Nitroglycerine 35.5
Potassium chlorate 7,8
Carbon black 1 .2
Ethyl centralite 0.9

While the M-6 series rocket motors were expected to operate at 500 Atmo-
spheres (about 7500 psi), the later rocket motors were operating at 700 Atmo-
spheres (1 0000 psi) and even 900 Atmospheres (1 3000 psi). For comparison, mod-
ern shotguns are proof fired at 900 Atmospheres and U. S. commercial shotshells
operate at 700 Atmospheres.

IV-20
 |
The Bazooka

The electric is held by a plastic nozzle cup inside the nozzle-and-fin

igniter
assembly. One of the igniter wires is soldered to a fin (ground) while the other
(hot) is connected at loading to the launcher electric current generator.
The nozzle-and fin assembly consists of aluminum nozzle, six fins and a circular
shroud, all welded together. The assembly, with the igniter seated in, is screwed
onto the rear end of the rocket motor.

raj
2.36 INCH HEAT M6A5|
ROCKET
warhead!

2,36 HEAT M6A5

INC H
ROCKET "
MOTOR ASSEMBLY

IV-21
 The Poor Man’s RPG

2.36 INCH HEAT ROCKET M6A3C

9
9

ALL DIMENSIONS IN MILLIMETERS

IV-22