This restored 5" / 127mm Mark 25 Mod 2 High Explosive Anti-Tank warhead is a correct early-style U.S. aircraft rocket warhead fitted with a brass Mark 18 dummy fuze. It represents the anti-armor side of the 5-inch rocket family and preserves the distinctive look of a period HEAT warhead intended for use against armored targets, fortified positions, and other hard objectives. Fully inert and restored for display, it is a strong piece for collectors, museums, and naval aviation ordnance displays.
The Mark 25 Mod 2 belongs to the earlier generation of 5-inch / 127mm aircraft rocket warheads that predated the more familiar later Zuni configurations. Unlike general-purpose high-explosive warheads built primarily for blast and fragmentation effect, the Mark 25 Mod 2 was designed as a High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) warhead. In practical terms, that means it was built around a shaped-charge concept intended to concentrate explosive force for improved performance against armor and hardened targets. That gives it a different place in rocket development than standard HE, smoke, or practice heads and makes it especially interesting to collectors focused on anti-armor aviation ordnance.
The Mark 25 Mod 2 HEAT Warhead
The Mark 25 Mod 2 is part of the early U.S. 5" HVAR and 5-inch Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket lineage. Warheads in this category reflect the period when aircraft rockets were being adapted for more specialized missions, including anti-tank work, rather than serving only as general-purpose bombardment weapons.
Historically, this type of warhead would have been relevant to:
For collectors, that makes the Mark 25 Mod 2 an important link between earlier heavy aircraft rockets and the later, more refined 5-inch rocket systems that followed.
Brass Mark 18 Dummy Fuze
This example is fitted with a brass Mark 18 dummy fuze, which gives the warhead the correct finished nose profile and proper period appearance. The brass construction adds strong display appeal and matches the look collectors expect from original early rocket hardware.
Please note: the fuze may have small demil marks on the threads. This is normal for demilitarized original components and is part of the item’s history. Please refer to the photos for condition details.
About This Specific Item
This restored warhead is intended as a display and reference piece and is a good fit for collectors who want an original-pattern 5-inch HEAT warhead without live components.
Key features include:
This listing is for the warhead and dummy fuze only. It is intended for collection, display, and educational use.
Why This Piece Matters
The Mark 25 Mod 2 is not just another 5-inch rocket component. It represents the period when U.S. aircraft rockets were being configured for specialized anti-tank and hard-target missions, and it reflects the shaped-charge side of early naval aviation ordnance development. For collectors building out a correct 5-inch rocket family display, a HEAT warhead like this adds variety and historical depth beyond the more common high-explosive and practice types.
The addition of the original-style brass Mark 18 dummy fuze gives the piece the complete look that makes it display well on its own or alongside other 5-inch rocket components.
Ideal For
This item is a strong fit for:
Approx length 24", Approx width 5", Approx height 5", Approx weight 35lbs.
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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