![Armorers loading FFAR rockets under the wing of a F4U Corsair fighter, Okinawa, Japan, Jun 1945. Note the sandy mud splatters on the underside of the plane. [Colorized by WW2DB]](/images/ai/20230224/air_corsair77.jpg)
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Caption | Armorers loading FFAR rockets under the wing of a F4U Corsair fighter, Okinawa, Japan, Jun 1945. Note the sandy mud splatters on the underside of the plane. [Colorized by WW2DB] ww2dbase | ||||
Colorization Note | This photograph was originally a black and white photograph; the colorized version presented here was a derivative work by WW2DB. The colors used in this version were speculative, and could be significantly different from the real colors. Processed using Adobe Photoshop Image Processor, with default neural filter, selecting "None" as the profile. View the original black and white photograph at its own permanent page. | ||||
Photographer | David Duncan | ||||
Source | ww2dbaseUnited States National Archives | ||||
Identification Code | ARC 532561 | ||||
More on... |
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Photo Size | 2,791 x 2,917 pixels | ||||
Added By | C. Peter Chen | ||||
Colorized Date | 24 Feb 2023 | ||||
Licensing | Public Domain. According to the US National Archives, as of 21 Jul 2010: Please contact us regarding any inaccuracies with the above information. Thank you. |
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Visitor Submitted Comments
2.
David Stubblebine says:
19 Dec 2015 02:12:57 AM
These are FFARs (Forward Firing Aircraft Rockets) rather than HVARs (High Velocity Aircraft Rockets). FFARs were 5-inch warheads on 3-inch rockets while HVARs were 5-inch warheads on 5-inch rockets. HVAR performed drastically better than the FFAR.

19 Dec 2015 02:12:57 AM
These are FFARs (Forward Firing Aircraft Rockets) rather than HVARs (High Velocity Aircraft Rockets). FFARs were 5-inch warheads on 3-inch rockets while HVARs were 5-inch warheads on 5-inch rockets. HVAR performed drastically better than the FFAR.
3.
Bill says:
19 Dec 2015 01:36:28 PM
"HOLLY MOSES"
During WWII over 1,000,000 that's One Million
5 inch rockets were produced and were later phased out of service in 1955. The term "Holly Moses" was the reaction of pilots seeing the rocket explode the first time...the 5 inch rocket was 12.7centimeters. Not so Tiny. Did you know that the "Tiny Tim rocket's warhead was 590lbs!
During WWII millions and millions of rockets were produced later being phased out in the 1950s the surviving stocks, were passed on to friendly Allied Nations
Standard 3.5 inch rocket production was 10,000 rounds a month, this weapon was used against ships and land targets. It was deadly and could pass to a depth of 130 feet of water attacking submarines running on the surface, diving, or at periscope depth.
It didn't have an explosive warhead to puncture a subs pressure hull, but used kinetic energy and momentum traveling at 1,054mph to do the job.
The M-8 4.5 inch rocket over 2,500,000 produced
during WWII was fired from air-to-ground, fired from ships, tanks and 2 1/2 ton trucks it was an anywhere to go rocket. If I've missed anything please add to the above comment. I do my best to leave as much data as possible...

19 Dec 2015 01:36:28 PM
"HOLLY MOSES"
During WWII over 1,000,000 that's One Million
5 inch rockets were produced and were later phased out of service in 1955. The term "Holly Moses" was the reaction of pilots seeing the rocket explode the first time...the 5 inch rocket was 12.7centimeters. Not so Tiny. Did you know that the "Tiny Tim rocket's warhead was 590lbs!
During WWII millions and millions of rockets were produced later being phased out in the 1950s the surviving stocks, were passed on to friendly Allied Nations
Standard 3.5 inch rocket production was 10,000 rounds a month, this weapon was used against ships and land targets. It was deadly and could pass to a depth of 130 feet of water attacking submarines running on the surface, diving, or at periscope depth.
It didn't have an explosive warhead to puncture a subs pressure hull, but used kinetic energy and momentum traveling at 1,054mph to do the job.
The M-8 4.5 inch rocket over 2,500,000 produced
during WWII was fired from air-to-ground, fired from ships, tanks and 2 1/2 ton trucks it was an anywhere to go rocket. If I've missed anything please add to the above comment. I do my best to leave as much data as possible...
All visitor submitted comments are opinions of those making the submissions and do not reflect views of WW2DB.
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18 Dec 2015 08:01:40 PM
ROCKETS RED GLARE:
The F4U Corsair could carry under wing mounted rockets called (HVAR) High Velocity Air Rockets
Rockets. Named 8-HVAR, 2 inch "Tiny Tim",
"Holy Moses" 5-inch, 6.5-inch Shaped Charge Armor-Piercing Rocket and the 11.7 inch Rocket