I grew up in the 1950’s building and firing multi-stage model rockets on out farm in Lewisburg. So to get to see where it all started was pretty special. Bear with me.
I picked this book up last year at the Rocket Center in Huntsville. Its covers the complete development of the V-2 in Germany and White Sands and follows the German scientist in the U.S. through the early space race. A Good read.
In 1945, Operation Overcast (renamed Operation Paperclip for the paper clips attached to the dossiers of the most “troublesome cases”) began. More than 1,600 Germans were secretly recruited to move to the U.S. and develop armaments.
The Last V-2 freshly restored.
Guidance Systems with Fuel Tanks to the right
Graphite Guidance Vanes for slow speed direction control durning lift-off.
Fins for high speed directional guidance.
Alcohol and Oxygen Tanks
Peroxide and Permanganate Tanks to drive Fuel Pumps.
Cutaway view of Double Walled Combustion Chamber.
Dr. Werner von Braun (7th from the right in front row) with his group at White Sands Proving Grounds in 1946.
Engine Static Test Stand
I came across a bunch of unlabeled photos at the Museum. They provide a interesting window into those years.
Fueling was always tricky.
Block House being built.
You wouldn’t get this close to a launch these days.
Not all launches were a success.
IDIOPATH2018 