John Kettler Posted December 4, 2002 Share Posted December 4, 2002 Maybe I'm misreading posts, but I seem to keep encountering 82mm Katyushas. Was under the impression that the "standard" Katyusha rocket started out as 122mm, was redesignated 132mm at Stalin's direct order following a fiasco in which 122mm howitzer ammo was delivered to the proving ground for the demo before Stalin (anecdote from Viktor Suvorov, nom de plume for 1980s GRU defector Vladimir Rezun), and subsequently grew to actually measure 132mm in diameter. Kirk & Young's GREAT WEAPONS OF WORLD WAR II (pp. 272, 275) and Isby's WEAPONS AND TACTICS OF THE SOVIET ARMY (p.287) both list the rocket diameter as 132mm. Granted that there were several other types produced, available imagery strongly suggests that the dominant version was the 132mm rocket. If so, why am I not reading agonized reports of maulings by these rockets, instead of the relatively piddly 82mm variety? I don't recall seeing even one. Regards, John Kettler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stalin's Organ Posted December 4, 2002 Share Posted December 4, 2002 The first ones were 82mm, the "standard" ones were 132mm, with an actual diameter of 132mm There was no 122mm rocket in WW2. Perhaps your source is confusing it with the modern 122mm rocket? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kettler Posted December 6, 2002 Author Share Posted December 6, 2002 Stalin's Organ, Thanks for the info! Anyone else care to comment? Regards, John Kettler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olle Petersson Posted December 15, 2002 Share Posted December 15, 2002 The 82mm rockets are cheaper, pointwise, perhaps that's the answer? The 132mm rockets have a lower rarity rating though... Cheers Olle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manchildstein (ii) Posted December 15, 2002 Share Posted December 15, 2002 sl/asl had the 82mm variety... as well as other 'calibers' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rune Posted December 15, 2002 Share Posted December 15, 2002 Red Army Handbook lists both the 82mm and 132mm Rockets. Rune Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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