Hood´s UP mounting

[Karl Heidenreich]

What is it for?

[ostriker]

Found on http://www.hmshood.com

7" Naval Wire Barrage, Unrotated Projectile Rocket Launcher

Type: Mark I
Number of Tubes: 20 (smooth bore)
Rocket: 7 in./178 mm fin stabilised rocket (3 in. / 76 mm motor)
Warhead: 8 oz / .14 kg aerial mine (CE)
Fuse: No. 700 and No. 720
Rate of Fire: Salvoes of 10
Maximum Altitude: @ 1,000 ft / 305 m
Elevation Angle (Max. / Min.): ? ° / @ 45°
Training: 360°
Comments: Hood was outfitted with 5 UP mounts which were added in 1940. One was atop "B" turret, and the remaining four on the Shelter Deck. In general, the UP, or "Unrotated Projectile," (AKA "rocket-on-a-string") was a largely unsuccessful attempt at a low altitude anti-aircraft defence system. Concept- When hostile aircraft were detected, the UP "layer" (operator) would manually launch a salvo/spread of 10 rockets.

Upon reaching @1000ft, the rockets would detonate and expel mines attached to three parachutes by @400ft of cable. Aircraft flying through the aerial minefield would snag the cables and pull the mines into themselves. In reality, the system was slow & cumbersome. The aerial minefields were clearly visible & easily avoidable. This, coupled with other factors such as the volatile nature of the cordite/rockets & the risk of mines floating back onto the launching ship, doomed this weapon to mothballs. There are no records of UPs bringing down any aircraft.

[Gary]

Hi Karl.

The UP launcher was a hair brained idea that never really caught on.

Infact, it did more harm to the British than it ever did to the Germans.

I believe in the late 1930's, 3 sailors were burned aboard Hood when the Up launcher discharged accidentally.

One of Prinz Eugen's shells ignited a UP launcher and caused a mini-fireworks display on Hoods deck.

They were removed from all British ships after the Hood incident.

[Tiornu]

The British gave up on AA rockets early in the war. The Germans and Japanese decided to give them a try late in the war.
I believe the first proximity fuze to enter service was aboard a British AA rocket.

[wadinga]

Guys,
See http://www.battleofbritain.net/0028.html for Dornier downing!

All the Best
wadinga