It looks at least 20ish. The soldier proning with the type 56 on his back(4th pic in second post) is wearing the old uniform. and that was replaced with the new uniforms around the 80's
China's panzerfaust, a really small RPG
- Thread starter sumdud
- Start date
I think this is more a tool for ambushes than manual use. Plus for the ranges I suppose this item was conceived the good old AT grenade (RKG) is more than enough. And without the backblast threat.
But I can definitively see an use for this on an urban configuration and rigged or wired so it can demultiply the firepower for an ambush.
But I can definitively see an use for this on an urban configuration and rigged or wired so it can demultiply the firepower for an ambush.
goldenpanda
Banned Idiot
Ha I'm back! PRC forever :china: , but I watch for Golly or he put me in laogai again.
The Chinese article deserves translating.
"The type 79 hand held rocket system was tested with frontline troops in Shenyang, Lanzhou, and Xinjiang military regions respectively. Test results were at 50 meters, 84% hit rate against fixed targets, 69% against mobile targets. Against 100mm armor at 55-60 degrees, penetration rate is 95%. Can penetrate T34 at any location, and T72 at all but frontal location
"The troops were unanimous the hand held rocket is an effective anti-tank weapon for infantry. It is simple, easy to use, easy to carry, and very mobile.
"Division and regimental cadres gave this assessment. Using the "three treasures" (satchel charge, banglore, anti-tank grenade) are not reassuring to commanders and soldiers. With this great hand held rocket weapon, commanders will be assured, soldiers will be confident and determined. The cadres believed the units were in sharp need of such a weapon, as our infantry anti-armor tactic relies on web of entrenchments, using small group, multi-path, multi-direction, pincer movements to attack each tank with 3-4 weapons. Hand held rocket is perfect fit for such tactic. It can be fired around corners exposing just the hand, or overhead from above the trench. Against distant targets the weapon can be shoulder aimed with single hand. Overall, the firing flexibility can achieve destruction of enemy without exposing the soldier. Soldier Wang Jinfu reports, "this is really good stuff. Quite easy to use. We conceal inside the trench, when tank comes up, the whole company attacks in every manner."
"Having observed and analyzed the type 79 in numerous tests, the HQ commander notes, "equip our troops with this little rocket thing, doesn't take up formation manpower, doesn't impact wielding of other weapon systems. It is useful against massed tanks, suits the needs of People's War. Give each company several hundred of these, we'll hit massed tanks with massed rockets!"
"During that time, the HQ commander made the report to Marshal Ye Jianying. Ye replied, "against tanks we hit them from multiple dimensions...from the close dimension we use the type 79. This is a great invention for us. It is our secret weapon."
"To prepare for war, army engineers of that time developed an entrenchment machine, they called it trench digger. It worked fast, saving manpower and soldiers' strength. When shown to Marshal Ye in Beijing, he remarked, "little rocket plus trench digger, there's a big strategic weapon!"
***
This story explains to me how it was possible an army of peasants faced off against Soviet mechanized power for 20 years.
The Chinese article deserves translating.
"The type 79 hand held rocket system was tested with frontline troops in Shenyang, Lanzhou, and Xinjiang military regions respectively. Test results were at 50 meters, 84% hit rate against fixed targets, 69% against mobile targets. Against 100mm armor at 55-60 degrees, penetration rate is 95%. Can penetrate T34 at any location, and T72 at all but frontal location
"The troops were unanimous the hand held rocket is an effective anti-tank weapon for infantry. It is simple, easy to use, easy to carry, and very mobile.
"Division and regimental cadres gave this assessment. Using the "three treasures" (satchel charge, banglore, anti-tank grenade) are not reassuring to commanders and soldiers. With this great hand held rocket weapon, commanders will be assured, soldiers will be confident and determined. The cadres believed the units were in sharp need of such a weapon, as our infantry anti-armor tactic relies on web of entrenchments, using small group, multi-path, multi-direction, pincer movements to attack each tank with 3-4 weapons. Hand held rocket is perfect fit for such tactic. It can be fired around corners exposing just the hand, or overhead from above the trench. Against distant targets the weapon can be shoulder aimed with single hand. Overall, the firing flexibility can achieve destruction of enemy without exposing the soldier. Soldier Wang Jinfu reports, "this is really good stuff. Quite easy to use. We conceal inside the trench, when tank comes up, the whole company attacks in every manner."
"Having observed and analyzed the type 79 in numerous tests, the HQ commander notes, "equip our troops with this little rocket thing, doesn't take up formation manpower, doesn't impact wielding of other weapon systems. It is useful against massed tanks, suits the needs of People's War. Give each company several hundred of these, we'll hit massed tanks with massed rockets!"
"During that time, the HQ commander made the report to Marshal Ye Jianying. Ye replied, "against tanks we hit them from multiple dimensions...from the close dimension we use the type 79. This is a great invention for us. It is our secret weapon."
"To prepare for war, army engineers of that time developed an entrenchment machine, they called it trench digger. It worked fast, saving manpower and soldiers' strength. When shown to Marshal Ye in Beijing, he remarked, "little rocket plus trench digger, there's a big strategic weapon!"
***
This story explains to me how it was possible an army of peasants faced off against Soviet mechanized power for 20 years.
RedMercury
Junior Member
Used in an active sense? Unlikely. But I wouldn't be surprised if there are warehouses full of them in reserve in case the need arises.
goldenpanda
Banned Idiot
The article above says aiming is achieved through a "mirror". It's the brassed colored circular thing shown in previous page.
The PF89 is a 80mm crew weapon, not a hand held individual weapon. Type 79 is a true People's War weapon. I can think of some guerrilla groups that would love to have them today.
edit: this page says PF89 is also an individual weapon.
Direct fire up to 200 meters, penetration 180mm. Weighs 3.7kg compared to type 79's 1.7kg.
The PF89 is a 80mm crew weapon, not a hand held individual weapon. Type 79 is a true People's War weapon. I can think of some guerrilla groups that would love to have them today.
edit: this page says PF89 is also an individual weapon.
Direct fire up to 200 meters, penetration 180mm. Weighs 3.7kg compared to type 79's 1.7kg.
Last edited:
Did the source specify how big the targets were and how fast moving the mobile was?
I would presume tank-size, but the speed ...?
Anyway, 50m is really close.