This short sequence gives an idea of how the HWK 109-500 motor packs were used on a service airfield.

These first pictures show an Arado Ar.234 from Kommando Sperrling using the RATO technique, which had been an important aspect of Arado Ar.234 operations for a number of reasons.

Initially, the two Jumo 004 turbojet engines were underpowered for the loaded Arado, so the rocket packs were a good way of shortening the lengthy take-off run.

Then, due to Allied fighter and bomber action, the Ar.234s operated from smaller dispersed locations, with less space for take-off (and even down the taxiway of Volkel airfield in Holland whose main runways had been bombed out of operation).

As you can see from the first picture, the 109-500 pack is prepared and fuelled away from the aircraft, brought out on a small trolley.

The pack can then be manhandled by a small team into place beneath the wings of the parent aircraft.

Arado Ar.234s were almost always towed without power to the point of take-off due to the chronic fuel shortages at that time in the war. Also because of the very low time-between-overhaul of the Jumo 004 turbojets, they were run as little as possible before flight. At the point of departure, the main fuel cocks on the HWK 109-500s were turned on, and a ground crew member can be seen working inside one of the RATO packs.

Once the aircraft was ready to roll, the main jet engines were started and the HWK 109-500 rocket packs ignited.

These last few pictures are of an Arado Ar.234A using the 109-500 motors to take-off - the landing skid and outriggers beneath the Jumo 004 motor pods can still be seen in the extended position.

Once airborne, the aircraft climbed away to a safe height, and the HWK 109-500 rocket packs were jetisoned. As they fell away from the aircraft a static line parachute pack was deployed, so they could be recovered intact and used again for future flights.

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