Ray;
You might be right about the Ajax propellant. Amen on the Herc launch.
BTW, there was even a Nike Zeus program but it was terminated.
At Redstone there was another instructor who had business cards printed
up that said
"Have Nike-Will Travel. Wire Enos, White Sands Missile Range, NM".
I forget his last name; Enos had been in a Nike- Hercules unit at WSMR
before being transferred to Redstone Arsenal.
Thanks for the link to your Crete photos. We flew to the Outer Hebrides
islands for firing our Corporal missiles out into the Atlantic.
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
-----Original Message-----
From: Ray Buck [mailto:rbuck@aros.net]
Sent: Monday, October 24, 2005 3:06 PM
To: Albaugh, Neil
Cc: Land Speed List
Subject: RE: New project (off topic)
As I recall, Nike-Ajax used IRFNA and JP-4. I was an IFC (Fire Control)
tech, so I didn't spend much time in the launching area, although I was
there for a few SNAP firings of both Ajax and Hercules:
http://www.chevyasylum.com/earlydaze/03-greece/02-firing/02-firing.html
The Ajax was pretty kool, but the Hercules was mind-boggling. It used 4
solid fuel Ajax boosters and broke Mach 1 before it cleared the
launching rails. If ya blinked, ya missed the launch.
Ray
At 12:38 PM 10/24/2005, Albaugh, Neil wrote:
Bryan;
The Nike system was the first air- defense missile that the US had. It
was designed soon after WW II so much of the technology was based on
German rocket research. At least they didn't use LOX & alcohol like the
V2. If those propellants didn't ignite at launch command they formed
very explosive ice pellets.
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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