Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely example of a Mid-Korean War produced Sub-Caliber Aircraft Rocket Trainer. This rocket is completely INERT and is in compliance with the current BATF regulations on ordnance.

The 2.25-Inch Sub-Caliber Aircraft Rocket, or SCAR, was an American unguided rocket developed by the United States Navy during World War II and used for sub-caliber rocket training. Capable of simulating the aerial rockets then coming into operational service, the SCAR was used to train pilots in the use of the new type of weapon, and continued in service throughout the 1950s.

This example shows an overhaul date of March 1954, which indicates it was made some years before that date. The lot number has a 45 in it, which could be a 1945 date, but that may just be the contract date. This particular piece was used in training American pilots in utilizing Aerial Rockets against enemy forces in Korea during the war. This rocket measures 29 ½” in length and a diameter of 57mm. All original paint is still present, as is the data stenciling for the rocket type and motor.

The rocket motor information stenciled is as follows:

2.25 IN ROCKET MOTOR MK 15 MOD 0
BU ORD DR NO 424982-E
CONT NO NORD 7021 LOT 154
CN (Naval Acceptance Stamp) GH

This is a wonderful example of a seldom seen rocket trainer. Comes ready to display!

With the introduction of the 3.5-Inch and 5-Inch Forward Firing Aircraft Rockets, a need arose to train aircraft pilots in the proper tactics for the use of the new weapons. This requirement resulted in the development of a dedicated training rocket by the U.S. Navy.

Designated a 2.25-Inch Sub-Caliber Aircraft Rocket, the resulting rocket was a joint project between the Bureau of Ordnance and the National Defense Research Committee. As its name implied, the rocket was designed as a sub-calibre weapon compared to the FFAR, being only 2.25 inches (57 mm) in diameter, but weighted to be ballistically similar to the larger operational weapons. Varying the amount of propellant in the SCAR's motor could produce accurate simulations of either type of FFAR's flight characteristics.

Following development, SCAR entered full-scale production in January 1945; by July, fully half of the U.S. Navy's rocket production for aircraft use consisted of SCAR rockets. SCAR was widely used during the latter part of World War II as a training round for the FFAR and, later, the High Velocity Aircraft Rocket.

Following the end of the war, it remained in production, continuing in operational service throughout the 1950s. Budget cutbacks prior to the outbreak of the Korean War meant that the SCAR was the only rocket used in training by the majority of pilots.

Despite its small size, SCAR could be hazardous; in 1957, an injury aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge was caused by the unintended ignition of a SCAR rocket. As recently as 2004, expended SCAR rockets were still occasionally being found in areas that had been used as bombing ranges during World War II.