Description
U.S. Army Technical Manual TM 9-1340-202-20P/1 for 762mm MGR-1A/M31 and MGR-1B/M50 Honest John Rockets, August 1969
Item Overview
This August 1969 U.S. Army technical manual is an organizational maintenance parts reference for the 762mm Honest John rocket system. Designated TM 9-1340-202-20P/1, it covers the MGR-1A/M31 series and MGR-1B/M50 series. It offers collectors and researchers a record of the parts support behind one of America’s best-known Cold War artillery rockets. This listing is for the technical manual only.
Publication Details
The manual’s designation places it within the Army’s technical-publication series for supporting Honest John rockets at the organizational maintenance level.
- Manual number: TM 9-1340-202-20P/1
- Publication date: August 1969
- Subject: 762mm Honest John rockets
- Rocket series: MGR-1A/M31 and MGR-1B/M50
- Publication type: Organizational maintenance parts reference
- Issuing authority: Department of the Army
- Country of origin: United States
Manual Coverage
The “20P” designation identifies a parts publication supporting maintenance performed within military units. Publications of this type helped maintenance and supply personnel identify replacement items and support authorized repair work. For modern researchers, this focus provides insight into the supply system that kept Honest John equipment serviceable.
Rocket Models Covered
The two model groups represent the original Honest John design and its improved successor. Their paired designations help readers connect earlier Army terminology with the later MGR naming system.
- MGR-1A/M31 series: The original production Honest John family, developed during the early 1950s.
- MGR-1B/M50 series: The improved Honest John family, with a shorter, lighter rocket than the earlier design.
About the Honest John Rocket System
Honest John was a large, unguided surface-to-surface artillery rocket powered by solid propellant. Its fins helped stabilize it in flight, and a mobile launcher allowed artillery units to move the system between positions. The weapon family could carry conventional high-explosive or nuclear warheads. Supporting equipment included launchers, transport vehicles, and specialized handling equipment.
Weapon-System History
Development began in 1950, when Army Ordnance assigned Redstone Arsenal a study for a large field artillery rocket. Working with Douglas Aircraft Company, the Army conducted the first Honest John flight test at White Sands Proving Ground on June 29, 1951. The system entered production and service in 1953, becoming the U.S. Army’s first nuclear-capable surface-to-surface rocket. The later M50 design continued the development of this mobile artillery system.
Publication History
This manual dates from a period when Honest John was an established part of the Army’s Cold War arsenal. The TM 9-1340-202 publication family included separate operating, maintenance, and parts references. This August 1969 parts publication reflects the continuing need to support equipment after its initial development and fielding.
History of Use
Honest John saw widespread service with U.S. and allied forces during the 1950s and 1960s, including deployments in Europe and South Korea. It supported NATO’s battlefield defense plans and remained an important Army field artillery rocket into the 1970s. Units maintained readiness through crew training, equipment care, and supply support. The United States began replacing Honest John with the Lance missile system during the early 1970s.
Collector and Research Value
TM 9-1340-202-20P/1 is a useful addition to an Honest John or Cold War artillery reference library. Its parts focus can support research into military terminology, component identification, and unit supply practices. It also complements museum displays and collections of inert rocket components by documenting the military support system behind the equipment.
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 collections, research projects, and exhibits covering American rocket artillery and military maintenance history.
- U.S. Army technical-manual collections
- MGR-1A/M31 and MGR-1B/M50 research
- Honest John rocket-system displays
- Cold War military supply and maintenance research
- Museum and archival reference libraries
Approx length 8", Approx width 10.5", Approx height .2", Approx weight .2lbs.
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