The spacecraft of the day at 1/220!

[Algebraist]

Really like the idea. Are there eventually going to be grounds and buildings with the visitors strolling around looking at the exhibits? Good luck!

Regards and take care

Kevin

[group b]

17,8 2011 ukraine satelit Sich-2 - Dnepr launch vehicle

[Jan Kytop]

Originally Posted by Algebraist

Really like the idea. Are there eventually going to be grounds and buildings with the visitors strolling around looking at the exhibits? Good luck!

Regards and take care

Kevin

Yes, some buildings and visitors.

[Jan Kytop]

Originally Posted by group b

17,8 2011 ukraine satelit Sich-2 - Dnepr launch vehicle

And Russia and Europa!
But it is not really the first launch.

[Jan Kytop]

Short story , in 1/220 scale mode, l of American Delta launchers.

In 1954, the US Air Force decided to acquire IRBMs (medium-range nuclear missiles) which could, for example, reach the USSR from Great Britain.
The Douglas firm won the market and presented in October 1956, the very first SM75 Thor (1 stage with Rocketdyne LR 79 liquid oxygen-kerosene engine).
The first launch (Thor 101) took place on January 25, 1957.
The machine (it is the model of the day) is lifted by a few meters and falls back exploding.
The model is by Niels Knudsen and Eric Truax.

[Jan Kytop]

One trial follows another with many failures.
At the end of 1957, the rocket finally succeeded in its first flights at maximum range.
Then began during the year 1958 the tests of guidance and re-entry into the atmosphere of the nuclear warhead.

The model represents another Thor missile during the tests (Scissorsandplanes model).

[Jan Kytop]

The Thor missile became operational as an IRBM in 1959. It can be transported by cargo aircraft and is mainly deployed in Great Britain.
It can deliver a 1.45 megatonne payload at 2400km and is fired directly from its trailer.See my1/110 scale model in plastic and paper here:
thor - Thor IRBM, Revell, 1/110, kit de 1959.
The model of the day represents the missile with its GE Mk 2RV cone, a kind of shield that protects the bomb during its atmospheric re-entry. The RV (reentry vehicle) is a crucial part of the missile, one of the most complicated to develop.
Hundreds of test rockets have been fired just to develop the RV. (X17 program for example).
Nowadays, nuclear powers are all working on VRs that can manoeuvre to avoid the opponent's defences.
Later some Thor will receive the more slender Mk3 ablative cone. (if you have pictures of this variant, I would like to see).

Translated with DeepL Translator (free version)

[Miles Linnabery]

Dear Jan
I give up what are the little gray bases made from?
Enjoying the series,
Miles

[Jan Kytop]

Originally Posted by Miles Linnabery

Dear Jan
I give up what are the little gray bases made from?
Enjoying the series,
Miles

Thank you Miles!

The bases are transparent bases (I have painted) for flying creatures from Citadel Games Workshop brand.
But I don't know if they are still available.

I draw from my stock!

[Jan Kytop]

60 IRBM Thors are thus deployed in Great Britain from 1959. They are spread over 4 bases and served by English crews (1000 men per site). They are sheltered under retractable metal hangars, in a horizontal position on their trailer.
In theory, a fire can be carried out in 15 minutes.
This deployment was completed in 1963 and the missiles returned to the USA where they were used for various tests.
But if the Thor IRBM's career was short, it will go down in history in another field:
It will become a space launcher.

The Eric Truax and Niels Knudsen's model shows a Thor IRBM deployed in Great Britain.







Transport:


Building the shelters: