"Tonsil" anti-air rocket system

[robunos]

Originally posted by user 'WayMinimum' here
https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/british-self-propelled-rocket-artilleries.14896/post-891887

Photograph sourced from Imperial War Museum: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205162087

"Tonsil, the Royal Navy's experimental anti-flying bomb rocket battery. Tonsil was a rush job, the projectors were mounted on lorries in two days and the complete battery of ten projectors was ready for action in a position between Hythe and Dymchurch within four days of the order being given, on 15 July 1944. On 20 July it scored its first "kill". By the end of the month it had shot down 8 flying bombs. In august the battery was enlarged to 20 projectors, capable of firing 400 rockets at once, and was particularly valuable in conditions of poor visibility."

Description: "Tonsil" mounted on a lorry. The rocket battery was assembled and transported to its position on the South Coast within four days of being ordered.

Catalogue number: A 31037

Part of: Second World War Admiralty Official: A Series

Does anyone have any more information on this ?

cheers ,
Robin .

 

[T. A. Gardner]

Looks like a standard 2" UP Mk II "pillar box" launcher plopped down on a truck to me. I'd say it's an improvisation as the 2" UP and its launchers were relegated to secondary uses like being put on merchant ships as 'better than nothing' due to their short range. The RN used them in such roles to the end of the war.

The operator sat in the cab between the launch racks with a simple sight and hand controls for elevation and traverse. There was a 12 VDC firing circuit for the rockets.