I recently acquired two expended M72 LAW tubes in fairly good condition. I started doing some research on using them to launch a model rocket. I obtained the book, "Law and Disorder" and was coming up with some interesting designs utilizing an Estes model motor and a piezoelectric device in the LAW firing mechanism to initiate rocket motors. I have some Vex robotics equipment and was in the process of designing a remote firing platform I could use to test fire the rocket. While doing some internet research on a 66mm rocket, however, I came across this interesting device:

http://www.ebang.com/prgs/item_display.cgi?itemnum=1080523

66 MM TRAINING ROCKET for M72A1 LAW Tube

The seller's description:

"Capable of 1.7/8's of a mile to 2 miles at 1500+ fps velocity. 66 mm training rocket for the M72A1 LAW tube. Solid brass primer fired housing to be used in conjunction with the Primer Housing found on a M72A1 LAW tube. These rockets are few and far between, I have just a few left, they are OEM new/old surplus and are not commercially available. I have 1 rocket up for Auction and the minium bid and BUY NOW PRICE for this item is $ 800.00 and winning bidder is to include $ 45.00 FedEx shipping & insurance. Will not ship to CA., NY., or NH. or where considered illegal to own. Must be 21 years or older to purchase and include a photocopy of your drivers license and a written noterized statement stating there are no Laws prohibiting your from purchasing this device. Payment by US Postal Money Order only accepted."

Now, $800 bucks is a little more than I care to spend to fire a LAW one time. The item, however, has me intrigued. I cannot find anything similar anywhere else and the seller seems to be a bit enigmatic about his source. I sent him an email asking about it, but haven't heard back. I enlarged the photo and there is some writing on the side, "AERODINE PROPULSION". I've done considerable searching on the net and have found a number of companies called Aerodine, but nothing on "AERODINE PROPULSION". I've searched the forum for a similar device, but came up empty as well.

I fired a 35mm practice rocket when I was in Army basic a long time ago. I was under the impression that a LAW required the M190 insert to fire practice rockets. I was not aware there were 66mm practice rockets available that negated the need for an M190.

Has anyone ever come across one of these practice rockets or heard of "AERODINE PROPULSION"?

Your problem is a simple spelling error !

Try doing the same searches but spelt 'AERODYNE PROPULSION' this time.

Hope this helps ?

I did consider the possibility the manufacturer misspelled their own name on the rocket, (given the current state of education in this country), and in fact tried researching "AERODYNE PROPULSION". What returned (in entirety) were references to paranormal activity, remote viewing (of the psychic version), government cover-ups of UFO's and references to a "University of Emmetsburg" whose ROTC program is being run by a former Soviet Security Officer. Apparently AERODYNE PROPULSION (with a Y) is a top secret laboratory involved in researching and developing extra-terrestrial propulsion systems. I found no legitimate references to a company producing actual milspec material, let alone conventional terrestrial systems. I could be mistaken, but I don't think they produced this 66mm rocket.

Pythagoran,

Sorry if you feel I’ve sent you down the wrong road, but I knew I’d seen the name elsewhere, quite recently, I actually came across ‘Aerodyne Propulsion Labs’ in passing, purely by chance a few weeks ago whilst doing searches for propulsion. I remember reading they were an R & D Laboratory specializing in propulsion, weapons and weapons delivery systems for the US Air Force and thought that must be what you were looking for !

I have now also looked at the picture in detail and I’m sorry to say, can’t make out whether it’s spelt with an ‘I’ or a ‘Y’.

The absence of any information relating to ‘Aerodine Propulsion’ whatsoever, yet some, albeit rather dubious references pertaining to ‘Aerodyne Propulsion’ lead me to think that if anything it’s likely to be the later.

You refer to the seller’s enigmatic attitude, whilst also stating that he hasn’t actually replied to you yet, have you actually had any contact with him at all or not ? If so, why hasn’t he confirmed who the correct manufacturer is ?

My honest opinion is there’s something amiss with this entire situation. I’m truly amazed that, even in America, something of this magnitude is openly for sale to anyone, especially considering the establishment’s current paranoia surrounding recent events. I also bring to your attention that, surprise, surprise, the seller has no feedback/reputation/goodwill etc and will only accept a US Postal Money Order !

This possibly could be a genuine article, snuck out the backdoor of a secret research establishment, but is equally or more likely to be either a deception by an individual in order to gain money or the bait in some kind of sting operation by the authorities.

Lastly, to try to determine the aforementioned spelling, I zoomed the picture to 550% and rotated 180deg and was surprised that a 1500fps projectile would have such poor quality, uneven welding affixing one of the rear fins to the body ferrule, there also appears possibly to be rust on the same weld too.

Continue with caution !