Historic Aerojet JATO Rocket Motor Engine Tech Report

Pricing & History

Sold for
Start Free Trial or Sign In to see what it's worth.
Sold Date
Source eBay

"Report From Aerojet: The Power of the Future" Aerojet Engineering Corporation . Report From Aerojet: The Power of the Future Aerojet Engineering Corporation * Affiliate of the General Tire and Rubber Company NOTE: This is a one-of-a-kind large-format copy of the original book. It's the same size as the original (about 14 x 10-in), and reproduced in the full colors of the original. (Sample illustrations below are not black-and-white in this rare version!) Only one book is available ... exceptional text ... unusual opportunity ... A rare and extremely informative, 42-page book entirely devoted to JATO ("jet-assisted take-off") rocket engines. Originally published in 1947 by the inventors of rocket propulsion for launching airplanes, it covers both the history of rocket powered takeoff engines, their technology, and their (probable) future applications. Describes in great detail the early history of what would become "the world's largest research, development, and production company." Beginning with the small five-man team that evolved into the Guggenheim Aeronautical Laboratory at California Institute of Technology (GALCIT), the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and Aerojet-General Corporation, this valuable document relates one of the most fascinating stories you'll ever read about rocket science, engineering, and technology. Under the leadership of Dr. Theodore von Kármán, Dr. Martin Summerfield, Dr. Frank J. Malina, Edward Forman, and John Parsons set out in 1939 to build rockets that would boost warplanes into the air fast from any take-off point. Some months before, this concept had grown out of a discussions between Dr. von Kármán and General H. H. "Hap" Arnold, commander of the Army Air Forces. All sample illustrations , from the book, shown at reduced size and resolution The only thing resembling rockets in this country at the time were Fourth of July fireworks. So this small team started from scratch, trying every kind of chemical mixture that would ignite. After little more than a year of trial and error, the group came up with two propellants--a liquid and a solid. When ignited in a specially designed steel container, either of the propellants shot a blast out of a nozzle opening faster than the speed of sound, and with a terrific thrust. This text describes how the first JATOs (as the military called them) were tested, how the Navy and AAF ordered a few, and this work soon supported military efforts during World War II. It also describes (and illustrates with many photos) the use of JATO motors for take-offs from Navy aircraft carriers, and for daring Pacific sea rescues with rocket-powered Catalina "flying boats." But in addition to the history of early U.S. rocket power, "Report From Aerojet" also explains the theory and operation of rocket engines, shows and explains how JATO rockets are designed and built. The book's photos are themselves quite fascinating, with several showing JATO production lines, test stands, individual JATO "bottles," etc. For the rocket scientist and engineer, the book also provides specifications and descriptions of JATO motor cases, nozzles, propellant, safety burst diaphragms, igniters, ignition temperature, impulse, and thrust curves. The Aerojet Model 12AS-1000 D-1 JATO rocket motor is described in great detail. Several pages are devoted to the use of JATO rockets on civilian aircraft, including the DC-3, Lockheed "Lodestar," Curtis CW-20 (C-46 "Commando"), together with complete specs and data for JATO takeoffs with heavy loads from short runways at high elevations, and how these planes can clear obstacles with rocket assistance. Fascinating test photos and oscillograph data logs show C-47B (DC-3) aircraft in action with JATO power. The book also describes the benefits of JATOs for four-engine planes--the Douglas DC-4 "Skymaster," DC-6, and Lockheed "Constellation... read more

Items in the Price Guide are obtained exclusively from licensors and partners solely for our members’ research needs.

Flag item for content or copyright

If this item contains incorrect or inappropriate information please contact us here to flag it for review.

If you are the originator/copyright holder of this photo/item and would prefer it be excluded from our community, contact us here for removal.