Rocket-Firing Scooters: Vespa vs. Mitsubishi

Most people are familiar with Vespa's iconic 150 Tap scooter, known for its rocket-firing capabilities. It's a symbol of turning something ordinary into a weapon of war, proving that anything can be a technical marvel with the right tools and mindset.

But did you know that Vespa wasn't the only scooter to be equipped with rocket launchers? The Taiwanese military once created a rocket-launching Mitsubishi scooter that was even more unconventional than the Vespa 150 Tap. What made it stand out was the fact that the rider straddled the 75mm rocket tube directly.

The Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon C-25 scooter with its center-mounted rocket launcher caught the attention of many, including enthusiasts on Reddit and War Thunder forums. The scooter's unique design, with the rocket tube passing through the handlebars and underneath the rider, sparked curiosity and interest.

According to historical accounts, the US government provided Taiwan with plans for the M20 (T21) 75mm recoilless rifle, which led to the creation of the Type 40 75 mm recoilless rifle by the ROC military. Inspired by the Vespa's rocket launcher, the ROC military decided to mount a similar weapon on the Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon C-25, heavily modifying the scooter for this purpose.

While the rocket-firing scooter saw some use in military operations, it was not particularly effective against armored vehicles due to its close-range nature. The challenges of aiming and firing such a weapon from a scooter made it impractical for combat situations.

Despite its limitations, the Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon rocket-launching scooter remains a fascinating piece of military history, showcasing the innovative yet ultimately flawed concept of turning a scooter into a weapon of war.