This restored 5" / 127mm Mark 25 Mod 2 High Explosive Anti-Tank FFAR rocket represents an early anti-armor configuration from the U.S. 5-inch Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket family. Paired with the Mark 16 Mod 1 rocket motor, this display rocket captures the look of a period U.S. naval aircraft rocket built for use against armored vehicles, fortified positions, and other hardened targets. Fully restored for display, it offers the unmistakable profile of an early 5-inch anti-tank aircraft rocket while remaining an inert collector and display piece.
The 5-inch FFAR family occupies an important place in U.S. aviation ordnance history. Developed in the post-World War II period, these rockets gave naval and Marine aircraft a modular heavy-rocket system that could be adapted for multiple missions through different warheads and fuze combinations. Within that family, the Mark 25 Mod 2 HEAT warhead represents the anti-tank side of the lineage, using shaped-charge principles rather than general-purpose blast-fragmentation effect. For collectors, that makes this configuration especially interesting because it reflects the period when aircraft rockets were being tailored for specific target types rather than relying on one general-purpose design.
The Mark 25 Mod 2 HEAT Warhead
The Mark 25 Mod 2 is a High Explosive Anti-Tank warhead designed to give the 5-inch FFAR family a dedicated anti-armor capability. Unlike general-purpose high-explosive warheads, a HEAT warhead is built around a shaped-charge concept intended to concentrate explosive energy into a focused penetrative effect. In practical terms, that made the Mark 25 Mod 2 suitable for use against:
This places the Mark 25 Mod 2 in the earlier generation of specialized anti-tank aircraft rockets that bridged the gap between World War II unguided rockets and the later, more refined multi-role 5-inch warheads used in the Zuni family.
The Mark 16 Mod 1 Rocket Motor
The Mark 16 Mod 1 is an early 5-inch rocket motor from the same broader FFAR family. It predates the later Mark 71 motor more commonly associated with mature Zuni configurations and helps place this rocket in the earlier stage of the 5-inch system’s development. The motor gave the rocket its length, tail profile, and launch character, and it is an important identifying feature for collectors who want a historically correct early configuration rather than a later mixed-component display.
For display purposes, the Mark 16 Mod 1 motor provides the proper early 5-inch FFAR appearance and helps distinguish this rocket from later Zuni-type combinations that used improved motors and other warheads.
About This Restored Rocket
This restored example has been prepared to present the correct overall appearance of a Mark 25 Mod 2 HEAT rocket with Mark 16 Mod 1 motor.
Key features of this piece include:
Condition: Restored display rocket
Type: 5" / 127mm Mark 25 Mod 2 HEAT FFAR rocket
Motor: Mark 16 Mod 1 rocket motor
Configuration: Early anti-tank 5-inch aircraft rocket
Mark18 Brass Dummy Fuze
Use: Display, collection, educational reference, and museum presentation
Its significance comes from the combination itself. The Mark 25 Mod 2 warhead and Mark 16 Mod 1 motor represent an earlier phase of U.S. naval aircraft rocket development, before later 5-inch rocket families became more standardized in appearance and application.
Historical Significance
This rocket is important because it reflects the period when U.S. aircraft rockets were being adapted to specific combat roles such as anti-tank attack, rather than simply serving as general-purpose bombardment weapons. It belongs to the same broader family of 5-inch rockets that would later evolve into the more familiar Zuni-era systems, but it preserves the earlier style and function of the concept.
For collectors of naval aviation ordnance, Marine aviation weapons, Cold War aircraft armament, or anti-armor rocket development, this is a meaningful piece because it shows the transition from earlier heavy aircraft rockets toward later modular strike-rocket systems.
Display and Collection Use
This restored rocket is intended for:
This listing is for a display item only. It is intended strictly for collection, restoration-reference, and educational use.
Ideal For
This rocket is a strong fit for:
Approx length 90", Approx width 14", Approx height 14", Approx weight 60lbs.
Pictures are stock images of our inventory. Unless otherwise noted, you will not be receiving the exact item shown in the pictures. The pictures are representative of the item's general condition. The item you receive might be slightly better, or worse, condition than was shown in the pictures.
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