The 5” AAF Fin style HVAR (high velocity aircraft rocket) was developed in WWII, and given the nickname “Holy Moses” after witnessing the destructive power of the weapon. If it’s accurate detail you want, then look no further. I challenge you to find a 5”HVAR replica to beat this. I spared no expense to replicate these late AAF style fins. This fin style was used into the Vietnam era. These fins are stamped from dies and spot welded together. Both NAVY and AAF style rockets were used in all theaters of WWII by all branches. The AAF fin however, allowed the armorer to ‘stack’ the rockets, as on the P-38 Lightning, by interlocking the fins and attaching the ignition wires to each rocket by means of a grounding lug in the tip of each fin. The rockets had to be fired in order.
My 5” HVAR replicas are constructed of 16 gage mild steel tubing for the rocket motor, with spot-welded fins. The shell is 16 gage mild steel, metal-spun to give it the solid ‘machined’ look. An aluminum nozzle plate with tapered orifices and cloth covered ignition wires for your canon plug, finish the tail, while the replica MK149 impact nose fuse, end cap clamps, pins and arming wire finish the rocket. With OD green 5 inch shell, stenciling and a set of suspension clamps, these replicas are as close as you can get to the real thing.
