The RPG-2 Rocket Launcher in Pictures
 

 

This section has many high detail pictures of the RPG-2 rocket launcher.  The one in our collection is a North Vietnamese B-40 variant which is functionally identical to its Russian counterpart. Virtually every part of the weapon is photographed and described. To go to a specific part of the weapon simply click on the desired section below. I should warn you that some of these pages may take a little while to load.

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Trigger Assembly

The trigger assembly of the RPG-2 is a simple affair.  Its hand grip is made of two pieces of Bakelite fastened to the metal frame by a single screw.  This can be seen in the picture to the right.

Below you can see the left side of the trigger group.  The North Vietnamese markings "Giai Phong" meaning "Liberation" can also be seen in that picture.  The right side of the trigger group is at the bottom right.  In that picture you can see the tiny exhaust port for gasses that escape after the firing pin strikes the rocket's primer.

To the left is a close up of the RPG-2 trigger.  The screws in the picture hold the group together.  When removed the cocking spring and release can be seen.  The raised button above the bottom screw is the safety.  It is currently in the FIRE position.

    

Cocking Lever and Safety

Here you can see close ups of the weapon in action.  In the first picture (at right) you can see the weapon with its safety on and cocking lever at rest.

In the picture below you can see the weapon with the safety in the 'FIRE' position, but the cocking lever is still at rest.

The final picture at the bottom right shows the safety in the 'FIRE' position and the cocking lever pulled down.  The weapon is now ready to fire.

     

Barrel of the RPG-2

The barrel of the RPG-2 is a crudely made piece of metal tubing.  Two thin wooden heat shields are fitted to either side of the tube to protect the soldier firing the weapon from the heat the rockets generate.  These wooden shields are fastened to the weapon by means of two metal bands with locking screws.  The front band and screw can be seen in the two pictures at right.

Directly below you can see the arrangement of the two wooden heat shields and the two retaining bands.  This view is looking down on the weapon from above.

The final picture at the bottom right is of the rear exhaust port where most of the rocket exhaust is vented.