<It has been a while since I saw WWE. I remember something along the lines of .38 pistols being to difficult to manufacture due to metalurgical stress failure --i.e.--barrels exploded. Bazookas -- AKA 3.5''ROCKET LAUNCHERS, were easier to manufacture but the rub would lie in the rocket itself. If your metal cannot withstand the barrel pressure of a .38 special round detonation could that metal serve as the casing and mechanism for a rocket. Also a rocket with a HE load is very dodgy for close range antipersonnel use. As the old sarge might say "it can turn your ass into lasagna too". Thoughts????>
Good point, Mr. Fisher. However, the main point of making the rocket launcher, as I understood it, and as you said, was that it could be made very easily compared to the more intricate and harder to manufacture revolvers. Also, it was more effective than the M&P revolvers carried by our heroes. Another thing too, was that the projectiles launched by the bazooka (where did that ridiculous name come from?) were self-powered, thus the launching device did not have to withstand the pressure, only the projectile did and it already had a release point. Besides, the tube was open at both ends providing an additional release for the pressure.
I can see your point about the HE (High Explosive?) rounds, but could our heroes have been using frags instead? As I seem to recall, the killing radius of a frag was limited, whereas the concussion of an HE round could very possibly injure your own people if you were close enough.
As an aside, there was a possible technical flaw in the film concerning the blown barrel. The barrel would not normally be the part of a revolver that blows unless there was an obstruction of some kind in the barrel. I have seen a few revolvers that have suffered catastrophic failures (and many photographs)and the damage has always been in the cylinder area, not the barrel.
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paul-fisher-ctr
18 years ago
1. It is correct that the launcher barrel is primarily an aiming and carrying devise -- hence the use of disposable polymer ones today. I DO wonder if metal not up to service as a pistol barrel and past the main ignition point would serve as a rocket casing. I think the clearest likelihood is in your allusion to technical flaws. WWE was intended primarily for a young 50's audience not for 21st century retired officers and small arms cognosetti to examine at leisure. 2. The name BAZOOKA was, per 'MAILCALL', based upon a comedian who appeared in movie short subjects in the 30's who played a one-off instrument he called THE BAZOOKA that looked very much like.....3. As to high explosive (HE) vs FRAG (FRAGMENTATION) rounds we are talking about a continum--- all metal cased rounds are to a certain extent both. This is especially true of the MAMMY-MADE rounds they used. HE VS FRAG is more a distinction made in relatively hitech purpose built munitions. 4. Incidently-- FRAG rounds are often more of a danger to nearby friendlies than sheer blast effect. The metal propelled by gas expansion usually out travels the overpressure of blast. There are equations taught in service academies and such places that address this type of phenomona -- I have happily forgotten them.............5. My guess of HE was based upon the round END performance in WWE. Of course it was modest budget HOLLYWOOD and they ignited little blast-flame smudge-pots vs making everything closeby look like a seive........
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scribe1270
12 years ago
Isn't it possible that even with minimal fragmentation of the device that the concussion of the air that happens at the moment it explodes can cause its own damage to anyone near enough as well? I seem to remember hearing about concussion being able to liquify organs if its a big enough bang. So even if the fragments of the shell didn't get the mutants they could still end up just as dead. Which is another point in favor of using the Bazooka as opposed to a hand gun as well I would think.
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gary_overman
12 years ago
I don't think that concussion wil actually 'liquefy' organs; but my speculation is that it does damage the lungs and the ears.
However, I could be wrong about that.
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mousalope
13 years ago
>>> (where did that ridiculous name come from?)
From a now forgotten musical instrument in use at the time the weapon was developed. The weapon resembled the instrument so the Army unwarapped it's rare sense of humor and tabbed the weapon by that name.
Picture what a slide-trombone kazoo would look like, then check the pic.
http://www.flamesofwar.com/Portals/0/all_images/newbpics/Bob-bazooka.j pg
As for the original question, what's the puzzle? Armies for centuries have appreciated the availability of artillery. A bazooka can serve the same function and is a lot easier to carry by hand then is a howitzer.
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