British Rockets and Satellite Launchers.
Blue Streak.
I haven't been able to identify which particular round this was, but this a picture of either F1, F2 or F3 at Woomera. F1 and F2 were fired in 1964, F3 in 1965. It shows the first stage in its distinctive paintjob! The photo also shows the panniers which were attached to the engine bay, the stringers along the fuel tank, and the interstage portion. The rocket is topped off with a dummy fairing used for these three rounds only. This photo gives a good general imnpression of the vehicle.
This is a plan drawing of Blue Streak. The odd looking bits dangling in the LOX tank are anti-slosh baffles.
Here you can see Blue Streak being raised into the gantry. If anyone can tell me whether this a Spadeadam or Woomera, I would be grateful! The figures on the far left give a sense of scale.
This also gives a good sense of the scale of the vehicle.
The Control Room and launch team for the first launching ....
Has it been a success?
Yes, it has .... the very first launch - 9:15 am local time, 5 June 1964.
This flight went in a text book fashion until the very last few seconds, when "sloshing" overcame the autopilot, and it tumbled in the sky, starving the engines of fuel. This, however, was a relatively easy problem to solve.
Nicholas Hill ... 25/12/98
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