Bristol Bloodhound Ground to Air missile(Image Very Heavy)

[bertie]

These may help those who wish to dig out the venerable Airfix kit and do some detailing. I took these shots at Point Cook RAAF Museum just out of Melbourne last weekend. A lot of work had gone into making the Bloodhhound look "spick 'n span" but sadly it is located outside exposed to the coastal elements.

[bootneck]

Hi Bertie,

great photos. Hopefully we can get them transferred to the Walkaround Forum; Julien?

Mike

[Julien]

Yes nice pics,

Already on the case Mike.

Julien

[Rhino]

I have to say the launcher is a Mark 2 launcher, and looking at the missile it looks like a mark 2 as well, though I'm not familiar with the differences of the missile types.

The mark 1 launchers were much simpler as the electronics and etc were centralised.

[Murdo]

Got to love the Bloodhound. It's such a purposeful looking beast.

"Don't mess or I'll come and get you!"

[cmatthewbacon]

A question: if you look at a gate guard airframe, then it gets horribly weathered, unlike any real aircraft on QRA, say. Obviously, Bloodhounds weren't flown around to keep the pilots' hours up while having a shufti at a Bear over the North Sea, but equally, I assume that they weren't left to rot on operational readiness either. If they were mounted up on launchers and "on alert" for months at a time, what level of cleanliness, fluid leaks etc would you _expect_ to see on an operational missile?

bestest,

M.

(still searching for an affordable Frog...)

[jimbuna]

Good detailed shots...I took some at RAF Cosford yesterday but not as detailed.

[Rhino]

A question: if you look at a gate guard airframe, then it gets horribly weathered, unlike any real aircraft on QRA, say. Obviously, Bloodhounds weren't flown around to keep the pilots' hours up while having a shufti at a Bear over the North Sea, but equally, I assume that they weren't left to rot on operational readiness either. If they were mounted up on launchers and "on alert" for months at a time, what level of cleanliness, fluid leaks etc would you _expect_ to see on an operational missile?

bestest,

M.

(still searching for an affordable Frog...)

I was on 2 Bloodhound squadrons in my time. All the missiles were "lifed" and sent back for checking out.

There wasn't much in the way of fluid leakage. The systems were shut down until needed so the hydraulics were rarely pressurised. It had 2 fuel tanks either side of the wings (for CofG purposes of course), and the boosters were solid fuel. The missiles generally spent about 6 months on a RUS stand then a further 6 months on a launcher but never seemed to wear that much.

Interestingly, when the Swiss Air Force finished with the system, we bought them back. When opened up, they were like brand new, so if anyone wants to model one of theirs wear and tear would not be appropriate.

Ted

[bigVern1966]

The missile outside at Point Cook is a Mk1 (which was what the RAAF operated), The Launcher is the Type 200 which was used on the Mk2 system and was totally incompatible with the Mk1 as regards how the launcher interfaced with the missile in electrical, hydraulic and air supplies. (as was the Type 100 used on the Mk1 system if you put a Mk 2 on it). The launcher was from Woomera, where the Mk2's Missile Evaluation Trials were carried out. Point Cook also has a Mk1 mocked up to look a bit like a Mk2 (extended mainbody with Mk2 front end on it) which was used to loading training by 15JSTU at Woomera during the the MET in 1964. That Missile is on the Loader/transporter off the Mk1. Mk2 missiles were serviced annually with a minor service one year and a major the other. in a lot cases the missile would be back in the servicing area in less than a year as they could only have minor defects fixed on the line. The Swiss never sold any missiles to the RAF, However we did buy 60 second hand ones off Sweden in the late 1970's to boster the UK's air defences. The Swedes and Swiss did look after their missiles (the Swedish ones were only deployed on exercise or transition to war, while the Swiss missiles lived in air conditioned harderned shelters when not on the launcher, unkile the RAF who left them outside to rot most of the time (though when in the ready use areas the missile air cooling system was connected to an ACU to keep the missile electronics dry.

Edited April 24, 2013 by bigVern1966

[HOUSTON]

Bertie,

That is HUMUNGOUS BUT MOST IMPRESSIVE.

thanks for the photos

[spitfire lover]

i would hate to be a pilot and see that... Scary!!!

nice pics mate