- Skua Rocket
Archive
Bib No.:
- 631772
Level:
- Item
Archive Reference:
- MET/4/1/123
Creator:
- Bristol Aerojet Ltd
Date:
- c.1960
Description:
- Skua solid fuel rocket systems were created by Bristol Aerojet Ltd and were used by the Meteorological Office High Altitude Research Branch (Met O. 19) for their atmospheric studies. In use from 1959 up to the late 1970s. The rocket was 2.3 m in length, 12.7cm in diameter and weighed 36.7 kg and was launched from a five meter length truck mounted tube. The meteorological payload was a stable temperature measuring sonde and parachute, giving wind/temperature/height data between 70km and 15km. The radar reflective silk parachute had alternate metalised panels giving reflected primary radar pulses of sufficient strength to produce automatic range, elevation and azimuth data at the ground station to at least a 140km slant range. The rocket on display was recovered by Gordon Bridge on Salisbury Plain after a test flight. He reassembled it and kindly donated it to the Met Office. The rocket is dark green. On the nose cone it has the serial no. BAJ9795. On the fuselage it has No.3 painted on in white lettering. The fins are unpainted grey metal with No.2 inscribed upon them.
Media Type:
- Artefact
Conditions Governing Access:
- Open
Conditions Governing Reproduction:
Owning Organisation:
- Met Office
Location:
- Library
Collection:
- Archive Collection
Status:
- Reference Only
Location (Room/Bay):
- Library