Description
U.S. Army Technical Manual TM 9-1340-202-35P/1 for 762mm MGR-1A/M31 and MGR-1B/M50 Honest John Rockets, September 1967
Item Overview
This September 1967 U.S. Army technical manual documents parts support for the 762mm Honest John rocket family. Designated TM 9-1340-202-35P/1, it covers the MGR-1A/M31 series and MGR-1B/M50 series. It offers a period reference for collectors studying Cold War rocket artillery and the military supply system behind it. This listing is for the technical manual only.
Publication Details
This volume belongs to the TM 9-1340-202 publication family, which supported the Army’s Honest John rockets through separate operating, maintenance, and parts references.
- Manual number: TM 9-1340-202-35P/1
- Publication date: September 1967
- Subject: 762mm Honest John rockets
- Rocket series: MGR-1A/M31 and MGR-1B/M50
- Publication type: Maintenance parts reference
- Issuing authority: Department of the Army
- Country of origin: United States
Manual Coverage
The “35P” designation identifies parts literature supporting higher-level maintenance, including field and depot work. Publications in this category helped trained maintenance and supply personnel identify items needed for authorized repairs. This parts focus makes the manual useful for studying Army equipment names, supply practices, and the support requirements of a large artillery rocket system.
About the Honest John Rocket System
Honest John was a mobile, unguided surface-to-surface artillery rocket. It used solid propellant and operated from a truck-mounted launcher. The weapon family could carry conventional high-explosive or nuclear warheads, giving it a major role in Cold War battlefield planning. Its support network included transport vehicles, handling equipment, maintenance personnel, and replacement parts.
Rocket Models Covered
The paired designations connect the earlier Army model names with the later MGR naming system. They identify two generations of Honest John development.
- MGR-1A/M31 series: The original Honest John family, first deployed in 1954.
- MGR-1B/M50 series: The improved family introduced into field service in 1961, with reduced weight, shorter length, and greater range.
Weapon-System History
Honest John development began in 1950, when Army Ordnance assigned Redstone Arsenal a study for a large field artillery rocket. Douglas Aircraft Company worked with the Army on the design, and the first flight test took place at White Sands Proving Ground on June 29, 1951. Further testing led to the M31 production family. The later M50 improvement program refined the design as the Army expanded its mobile rocket artillery forces.
History of Use
Honest John served with U.S. and allied forces during the Cold War, including deployments in Europe and South Korea. Its service involved training, readiness exercises, and support for battlefield defense plans. By this manual’s September 1967 publication date, the system was well established, making continued maintenance and parts supply important. Lance missiles began replacing Honest John in the early 1970s, while remaining equipment moved into National Guard service. The Army classified Honest John rocket motors, launchers, and related ground equipment as obsolete in July 1982.
Collector and Research Value
This manual preserves the maintenance and supply side of an early American rocket program. Its coverage of both major Honest John families makes it a useful companion to operating manuals, historical photographs, and equipment records. It can also help researchers document period terminology for museum labels and inert ordnance displays.
Condition
This vintage military technical manual may show cover wear, edge wear, folds, yellowing, stains, writing, stamps, punched holes, loose pages, or other signs of age and storage. Printing details and condition may vary between available copies.
Ideal For
This manual is well suited to collectors, historians, and museums studying American rocket artillery and military equipment support.
- U.S. Army technical-manual collections
- MGR-1A/M31 and MGR-1B/M50 research
- Honest John rocket-system exhibits
- Cold War artillery reference libraries
- Military maintenance and supply history
- Museum and archival collections
Approx length 8", Approx width 10", Approx height .2", Approx weight .3lbs.
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