AIM-9 SIDEWINDER.
Air to Air missile.
Designed and built in America in the early 1950`s, it is one of the most produced of all airborne missiles, and is still being produced today and carried by the Tornado. Powered by a solid propellant rocket motor, it is guided to its target by infra-red sensors. Warhead- 25lbs of high explosive. Max speed- 1,650mph. Max range- 4.35 miles.
~~~~<<<<>>>>~~~~
WE.177B TACTICAL NUCLEAR WEAPON.
WE.177 was an air delivered tactical nuclear weapon which came into service in 1966. Designed as a replacement to Britain's previous nuclear weapon `Red Beard`, it was delivered by tactical aircraft such as the Buccaneer and Vulcan and later the Jaguar, Tornado and Harrier. The bomb you see here is a type B. Parachute retarded, it has a massive 400kt yield. WE.177 was the last air delivered tactical nuclear free fall weapon employed by the British, and it was retired in 1998 and was superseded by Trident, the submarine launched ballistic missile system.
~~~~<<<<>>>>~~~~
HAWKER SIDDELEY IKARA.
Ship launched anti-submarine missile.
As more modern and better armed Soviet submarines came into service a need developed to extend the range of western anti-submarine defences. The Ikara`s two stage solid fuel rocket engine carried an underslung acoustically guided anti-submarine torpedo to the vicinity of an enemy submarine where it was then released to attack the submerged target. In service- 1972 - early 1980`s. Length- 11feet 4inches. Range- 11.36 miles.
~~~~<<<<>>>>~~~~
UPKEEP MINE.
A test piece bomb dropped at Reculver in 1943. Recovered by Andrew Hemsley with the help of the Ministry of Defence in the form of EODTA on the 6th/7th/8th June 1997. This test piece was recovered by 101 Field Regiment T.A; 22 Squadron and 223 Squadron were the recovery teams. Hammerite, Hodge Clemco and M&J Tool hire assisted with free services for the restoration of the bomb.
~~~~<<<<>>>>~~~~
BRITISH AEROSPACE DYNAMICS SKYFLASH.
Air to Air missile.
Launch weight- 425lbs. Cruise speed- Mach 4. Max range- 28 miles. This missile was propelled by an Aerojet MK.53/2 or Rocketdyne MK. 38/4 solid fuel rocket. It employed a Marconi Monopulse semi-active radar for target homing.
~~~~<<<<>>>>~~~~
MARTEL AJ.168.
Air to Surface missile.
There were two versions of the Martel missile, one the AS.37 which would home onto enemy radar transmissions after release, after which the aircraft could return to base. The example shown here, the AJ.168 would fly a pre-programmed course until being guided to its target using the television camera in the nose by the weapon operator in the aircraft using a display monitor to select the point of contact. Developed as a joint project between the British and the French, with delivery beginning in 1972, and finishing in 1978. The Martel was fitted to the Mirage IIIE, Jaguar, Buccaneer, Nimrod and Phantom aircraft. Warhead- high explosive, weighing 330lbs. Performance- Mach 0.9 (690mph). Range- 37 miles.
~~~~<<<<>>>>~~~~
LIGHTWEIGHT MK30 TORPEDO.
Manufacturer- Royal Navel Torpedo Factory ( UK1952 ). Type- Air to Sub-surface. Range- Not recorded. Propulsion- Electric motor. Guidance- Passive acoustic homing. Control- rear control planes. General information- After release and entering the water, the electric motor starts and the torpedo searches for a target. On intercepting, a proximity fuse detonates the warhead.
~~~~<<<<>>>>~~~~
LIGHTWEIGHT MK44 TORPEDO.
Manufacturer- Plessey/Royal Navel Torpedo Factory ( UK1964 ). Type-Air to Sub-surface. Range- 3.4miles. Propulsion- Electric motor. Guidance- Active Sonar homing. Control- Rear control planes. General information- The MK44 torpedo was the standard torpedo carried by RAF Maritime Patrol Aircraft until replaced by the MK46 and Stingray.
~~~~<<<<>>>>~~~~
BRITISH AEROSPACE RED TOP.
Air to Air missile.
In service- 1964 - 1988. Length- 10feet 6inch. Range- 7.5 miles. Red top was an upgraded and a more logically internally arranged version of the Firestreak missile. The missile was also capable of all-aspect engagement capability overcoming one of its predecessors major limitations. This weapon became the standard missile fit for the Royal Air Force`s Lightning Intercepter Force.
~~~~<<<<>>>>~~~~
RAYTHEON SIDEWINDER.
Air to Air missile.
In service- 1956 to date (2006). Length- 9feet 4.2inches. Range- 2-2.27miles. Based on a simple design the sidewinder has been produced in greater numbers and for longer, than any other air to air missile. The latest versions are considerably more effective than this early Aim 9B model. Used by over thirty countries it was used by the Royal Navy in the Falklands campaign and by the allies in the Gulf war in 1991.
~~~~<<<<>>>>~~~~
Ah! Things that go boom in the night or day!!! Nothing like a missile flying over your head. It's fine as long as it ain't your head it's trying to blow off. And you even threw in a couple of torpedoes into the mix. It's hard to say which is the meaner looking, the sidewinder or the skyflash. They do look a lot alike. Guess they are equally mean. That Red Top looks like it could ruin your day. That nuc is mean. Period. They do a have use in deterrence. Love 'em for that. That Ikara is interesting. Anti sub warfare is a tedious art. From what I gather a hard trade to learn. Those torpedoes are neat as long as they don't bang into the side of a ship I'm on. Please, Please don't do that!!! Great stuff!!! Love it!
ReplyDelete