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British M20 Bazooka practice rocket 3.5 inch markings

BMG50

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Been trying to find some decent markings of the British 3.5inch practice rocket mainly on the actual war head hollow charge section, not the rocket motor. There seems to be two practice colours and marks for the war head in a light blue or a duck egg blue. Usually the markings are in white either marked up in HE SUB or M20 practice showing lot number or TX etc, also black inspection marks in black like GD etc. Anyone have any pictures of decent readable markings on their rocket.
 

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Thanks Slick, quite a few variants of practice colours and markings. Looking at the head I have has a green under the paint where it once was a HE round but has been converted HE sub, it still has the cone in it.
Not sure what practice blue was before NATO blue colours took over as the practice rocket motor and fuze in mint condition I have is dated 1/ 1954, not sure if the colour I have is Turquoise blue BS381c 102, anyone know???
 
Here are three practice 3.5-inch rockets, and beneath is a drill version for comparison. Latter much used and abused, the nose dented by being dropped in its container a number of times.
And a close up of one warhead.
Pam No 9 (1953) gives pics, but these are all in black and white.
As you see, designation is M29, not M20, and the Launcher was never referred to as a "Bazooka" in British service. At least, not whilst I was in!
You will also see that the forward part of the motor assembly is a slightly different shade of blue to the warhead itself, probably because of different factory manufacturers motor/warhead, but Tim will have more info on that.
If I can help further, BMG50, don't hesitate, PM if you prefer.
Alan1.DSCN0985[1].JPGDSCN0986[1].JPG
 
Blue, light - Deep Saxe Blue No. 113.
(Saxe - French for Saxony, Germany, where the dye was originally sourced)
The 'fuze' is varnished/lacquered and I suspect that's a variation of RD1177.

TimG
 
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