Tactical Nuclear Missile

“Honest John” MGR1B Rocket

Type: Surface-to-Surface Artillery Rocket

Mounted on Trailer XM465 Serial # 54

Created during the Cold War in 1953, the Honest John was a tactical delivery system. Different from the electronically controlled guided missiles, the Honest John was a free-flight rocket. Launched from a highly mobile self-propelled artillery truck, the Honest John delivered either a high-explosive or atomic warhead. The official name for the Honest John was the MGR1B rocket system. The Honest John nickname came from Maj. General Holger N. Toftoy, then base commander of the Redstone Arsenal.

The original concept of the free-flight rocket system designed to work alongside conventional battlefield artillery was assigned to MG Toftoy in 1950. The Basic M31 Honest John was first deployed in 1954. The M31 was replaced in 1961 by the M50 improved Honest John, which boasted increased range. All Honest John rockets, launchers, and related ground equipment were classified obsolete in July, 1982.

Aquired from former Florence Air and Missile Museum, Florence , South Carolina

Manufacturer: Douglas Aircraft Company & Emerson Electric Company

Dimensions:

Length: 27 feet

Weight: 1,500 lbs.

Performance:

Range : 22 nautical miles

Armament:

Up to 20 kiloton Atomic Warhead

Production: 7,089