This short film shows drop tests of an inert 5-inch caliber HVAR (High Velocity Aircraft Rocket), also called the Holy Moses. It’s not clear precisely what was being studied here, but most likely the footage was intended to examine the effectiveness of the weapon release mechanism or hardpoint / pylon. The film was most likely shot at the U.S. Navy’s China Lake facility, aka China Lake Naval Ordnance Test Station (NOTS),.where many weapons were developed and tested, and probably dates to the WWII period. During 1944, NOTS worked on the development and testing of the 3.5-inch, 5-inch, HVAR and 11.75-inch (Tiny Tim) rockets. The vehicle shown in use is Burma Jeep aka Ford GTB. This particular vehicle is what’s known as a GTBS or GBTC truck or Bomb Service with crane ( made specially for the US Navy).

The HVAR was a very effective U.S. Navy air-to-surface rocket. It began service in World War II and continued until 1955. Largely fired by Navy airplanes, such as the F4U Corsair, the HVAR was however first used by the Army Air Forces against German targets near Lo, France in July 1944. About a million HVARs were produced. The loaded weight of the rocket was 61 kg (134 lb )including 11 kg (24 lb) of propellant and a 20 kg (45 lb) payload with 3.5 kg (7.8 lb) of high explosive. It reached a velocity of 1530 km/h (950 mph), and had a range of about 5 km (3 mi).

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com