Happy HoJo Day! 69 years ago today on June 29, 1951 Test Round #1 was launched at the New Mexico Joint Guided Missile Test Range (now called the White Sands Missile Range). The Honest John was a free-flight (unguided) missile and also America's first tactical nuclear weapon delivery device. Until it's development, delivery of nuclear weapons was possible only via bomber aircraft.
The Honest John was rushed into development to meet the needs of the US Army, just as war was breaking out in Korea. The weapon was the ultimate "kit bash" rocket--compromised of a Navy JATO rocket motor with fins and a warhead attached. It was nearly scraped several times during its development and the first five test flights turned out to be vital.
The first flights were wildly successful. The rocket turned out to have more than acceptable range and accuracy--both of which improved over it's lifetime. After seeing the successful tests, funding for the project was accelerated.
The rocket had two major variants as well. The "Demi John" (pictured below) was an attempt to reduce the range of the weapon, giving battlefield commanders more flexibility in how it was deployed. There were seven test flights, but an operational version was never produced. There was also the "Father John" which was developed to lift a heavier payload. It featured the main JATO rocket motor, and six or eight smaller rocket motors strapped outside of the main motor for more lift.
The M31 version with the larger fins is the better known of the rockets, and a favorite of modelers to this day.
Post photos of your favorite HoJo (prototype) or model and celebrate National Honest John Day!
The Honest John was rushed into development to meet the needs of the US Army, just as war was breaking out in Korea. The weapon was the ultimate "kit bash" rocket--compromised of a Navy JATO rocket motor with fins and a warhead attached. It was nearly scraped several times during its development and the first five test flights turned out to be vital.
The first flights were wildly successful. The rocket turned out to have more than acceptable range and accuracy--both of which improved over it's lifetime. After seeing the successful tests, funding for the project was accelerated.
The rocket had two major variants as well. The "Demi John" (pictured below) was an attempt to reduce the range of the weapon, giving battlefield commanders more flexibility in how it was deployed. There were seven test flights, but an operational version was never produced. There was also the "Father John" which was developed to lift a heavier payload. It featured the main JATO rocket motor, and six or eight smaller rocket motors strapped outside of the main motor for more lift.
The M31 version with the larger fins is the better known of the rockets, and a favorite of modelers to this day.
Post photos of your favorite HoJo (prototype) or model and celebrate National Honest John Day!
