V-2 ROCKET ASSEMBLING AND LAUNCHING

Year Published: 1946

Format: 16mm

Description: WATCH NEW AND IMPROVED VERSION HERE: • " V-2 ROCKET ASSEMBLING AND LAUNCHING... This historic film shows tests of German V-2 rockets by the U.S. Army which were conducted from 1946-1952. Assisting in the efforts were a number of German scientists who emigrated to New Mexico as part of "Operation Paperclip." German V-2 rockets captured by the United States Army at the end of World War II were used as sounding rockets to carry scientific instruments into the earth's upper atmosphere at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) for a program of atmospheric and solar investigation through the late 1940s. Rocket trajectory was intended to carry the rocket about 100 miles (160 km) high and 30 miles (48 km) horizontally from WSMR Launch Complex 33. Impact velocity of returning rockets was reduced by inducing structural failure of the rocket airframe upon atmospheric re-entry. More durable recordings and instruments might be recovered from the rockets after ground impact, but telemetry was developed to transmit and record instrument readings during flight. The first of 300 railroad cars of V-2 rocket components began to arrive at Las Cruces, New Mexico in July 1945 for transfer to WSMR.[2]:246 In November General Electric (GE) employees began to identify, sort, and reassemble V-2 rocket components in WSMR Building 1538, designated as WSMR Assembly Building 1. The Army completed a blockhouse in WSMR Launch Area 1 in September 1945. WSMR Launch Complex 33 for the captured V-2s was built around this blockhouse. Initial V-2 assembly efforts produced 25 rockets available for launch. The Army assembled an Upper Atmosphere Research Panel of representative from the Air Material Command, Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Army Signal Corps, Ballistic Research Laboratory, Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Michigan, Harvard University, Princeton University, and General Electric Company. German rocket scientists of Operation Paperclip arrived at Fort Bliss in January 1946 to assist the V-2 rocket testing program. After a static test firing of a V-2 engine on 15 March 1946, the first V-2 rocket launch from Launch Complex 33 was on 16 April 1946. As the possibilities of the program were realized, GE personnel built new control components to replace deteriorated parts and used replacement parts with salvaged materials to make more than 75 V-2 sounding rockets available for atmospheric and solar investigation at WSMR. Approximately two V-2 launches per month were scheduled from Launch Complex 33 until the supply of V-2 sounding rockets was exhausted; reduced frequency of V-2 sounding rocket investigations from Launch Complex 33 continued until 1952. The 2,200 pounds (1,000 kg) explosive warhead in the 17 cubic feet (0.48 m3) nose cone was replaced by a package of instrumentation averaging 1,200 pounds (540 kg). Instrumentation was sometimes added to the control compartment, in the rear motor section, between the fuel tanks, or on the fins or skin of the rocket. Nose cone instrumentation was typically assembled at participating laboratories and flown to WSMR to be joined to the rocket in Assembly Building 1. Rockets returning to earth intact created an impact crater about 80 feet (24 m) wide and of similar depth which filled with debris to a depth of about 35 feet (11 m). In an effort to preserve instruments, dynamite was strategically placed within the airframe to be detonated at an elevation of 50 kilometres (31 mi) during downward flight at end of the high-altitude scientific observation interval. These explosives weakened the rocket structure so it would be torn apart by aerodynamic forces as it re-entered the denser lower atmosphere. Terminal velocity of tumbling fragments was reduced by an order of magnitude. V-2 sounding rockets were 47 feet (14 m) long and 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m) in diameter and weighed 28,000 pounds (13,000 kg) with a full load of liquid fuel contributing two-thirds of that weight. The fuel was consumed in the first minute of flight producing a thrust of 56,000 pounds-force (250 kN). Maximum acceleration of 6 Gs was reached at minimum fuel weight just before burnout, and vibrational accelerations were of similar magnitude during powered flight. Velocity at burnout was approximately 5,000 feet (1,500 m) per second. The rocket would typically have a small, unpredictable angular momentum at burnout causing unpredictable roll with pitch or yaw as it coasted upward approximately 75 miles (121 km). A typical flight provided an observation window of 5 minutes at altitudes above 35 miles (56 km).

Complete Record: WATCH NEW AND IMPROVED VERSION HERE: • " V-2 ROCKET ASSEMBLING AND LAUNCHING... This historic film shows tests of German V-2 rockets by the U.S. Army which were conducted from 1946-1952. Assisting in the efforts were a number of German scientists who emigrated to New Mexico as part of "Operation Paperclip." German V-2 rockets captured by the United States Army at the end of World War II were used as sounding rockets to carry scientific instruments into the earth's upper atmosphere at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) for a program of atmospheric and solar investigation through the late 1940s. Rocket trajectory was intended to carry the rocket about 100 miles (160 km) high and 30 miles (48 km) horizontally from WSMR Launch Complex 33. Impact velocity of returning rockets was reduced by inducing structural failure of the rocket airframe upon atmospheric re-entry. More durable recordings and instruments might be recovered from the rockets after ground impact, but telemetry was developed to transmit and record instrument readings during flight. The first of 300 railroad cars of V-2 rocket components began to arrive at Las Cruces, New Mexico in July 1945 for transfer to WSMR.[2]:246 In November General Electric (GE) employees began to identify, sort, and reassemble V-2 rocket components in WSMR Building 1538, designated as WSMR Assembly Building 1. The Army completed a blockhouse in WSMR Launch Area 1 in September 1945. WSMR Launch Complex 33 for the captured V-2s was built around this blockhouse. Initial V-2 assembly efforts produced 25 rockets available for launch. The Army assembled an Upper Atmosphere Research Panel of representative from the Air Material Command, Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Army Signal Corps, Ballistic Research Laboratory, Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Michigan, Harvard University, Princeton University, and General Electric Company. German rocket scientists of Operation Paperclip arrived at Fort Bliss in January 1946 to assist the V-2 rocket testing program. After a static test firing of a V-2 engine on 15 March 1946, the first V-2 rocket launch from Launch Complex 33 was on 16 April 1946. As the possibilities of the program were realized, GE personnel built new control components to replace deteriorated parts and used replacement parts with salvaged materials to make more than 75 V-2 sounding rockets available for atmospheric and solar investigation at WSMR. Approximately two V-2 launches per month were scheduled from Launch Complex 33 until the supply of V-2 sounding rockets was exhausted; reduced frequency of V-2 sounding rocket investigations from Launch Complex 33 continued until 1952. The 2,200 pounds (1,000 kg) explosive warhead in the 17 cubic feet (0.48 m3) nose cone was replaced by a package of instrumentation averaging 1,200 pounds (540 kg). Instrumentation was sometimes added to the control compartment, in the rear motor section, between the fuel tanks, or on the fins or skin of the rocket. Nose cone instrumentation was typically assembled at participating laboratories and flown to WSMR to be joined to the rocket in Assembly Building 1. Rockets returning to earth intact created an impact crater about 80 feet (24 m) wide and of similar depth which filled with debris to a depth of about 35 feet (11 m). In an effort to preserve instruments, dynamite was strategically placed within the airframe to be detonated at an elevation of 50 kilometres (31 mi) during downward flight at end of the high-altitude scientific observation interval. These explosives weakened the rocket structure so it would be torn apart by aerodynamic forces as it re-entered the denser lower atmosphere. Terminal velocity of tumbling fragments was reduced by an order of magnitude. V-2 sounding rockets were 47 feet (14 m) long and 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m) in diameter and weighed 28,000 pounds (13,000 kg) with a full load of liquid fuel contributing two-thirds of that weight. The fuel was consumed in the first minute of flight producing a thrust of 56,000 pounds-force (250 kN). Maximum acceleration of 6 Gs was reached at minimum fuel weight just before burnout, and vibrational accelerations were of similar magnitude during powered flight. Velocity at burnout was approximately 5,000 feet (1,500 m) per second. The rocket would typically have a small, unpredictable angular momentum at burnout causing unpredictable roll with pitch or yaw as it coasted upward approximately 75 miles (121 km). A typical flight provided an observation window of 5 minutes at altitudes above 35 miles (56 km).

Transcription

e [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] White Sands New Mexico a 5,000 square m track to Baron sunbake Wasteland 60 miles to the north of El Paso Texas lost in the vastness of the desert is a clump of low-lying buildings where the United States Army Ordinance Department is conducting a research program for long range rockets and guided missiles in one of these buildings the once dreaded German V2 rocket is assembled and prepared for launching by ordinance men no longer a weapon of war the V2 is doing an important post-war job in Cosmic research the missiles which rain death and destruction on the English Countryside are sent 100 Mil into the upper atmosphere at White Sands father than any human can penetrate instruments record data on Cosmic radiation Sky brightness direction and speed of wind and many other aspects of high altitude research here is the assembly line [Music] with the exception of special attachments that are manufactured in this country the entire missile is constructed from Parts made by the Germans before VE day every detail of the Nazis most closely guarded Secret weapon is known to American technicians glass wool insulation prevents the evaporation of fuel from the center [Music] section with insulation in place a tank for alcohol is lowered into the center shell to the rear of the alcohol tank is a tank which will hold liquid oxygen the supply line which will carry alcohol to the rocket motor runs through the center of the oxygen tank the alcohol Supply connection is completed and the oxygen tank is moved into position with the fuel tank secure the center section Skins are [Music] fitted a metal fairing joins the halves of the shell as a further precaution against evaporation of fuel the ends of the shell are packed with glass wool and metal bulkheads are installed to complete the Assembly of the center [Music] section this section is the basic component of the missile other sections will be attached to it as they are completed meanwhile the propulsion unit is being assembled its principal part is the welded pressed steel combustion chamber preformed fuel lines are fitted to the combustion chamber liquid oxygen and alcohol are drawn from the fuel tanks and forced into the combustion chamber by a centrifugal pump the turbine of the fuel pump is driven by steam generated by the violent reaction of hydrogen peroxide and sodium [Music] permanganate when the propulsion unit has been fully assembled and inspected it is placed on an assembly jig and fitted to the center section of the missile specially constructed frames which roll on tracks Aid in the assembly inside the tail housing electrical wiring for the rudder mechanism has been installed now with a propulsion unit secured to the center section the tail housing is pushed into [Music] position the propulsion unit of the V2 rocket Burns a mixture of liquid oxygen and alcohol these fuels are forced into the combustion chamber through a bank of 18 Jets on the thrust ring at the base of the tail unit are four brackets to which carbon veins will be attached these veins controlled by an automatic pilot direct the flow of gases from the Venturi and steer the rocket During the braining period they are attached after the missile has been erected for launching to prevent breakage and handling the antennas for radio devices that relay high altitude data to ground stations are located at the bases of two of the [Music] fins while on the other fins there are antennas for an emergency fuel cut off mechanism instruments replace the explosives in the B2 Warhead they had designed especially for each missile by the agency For Whom the rocket is fired most of the recording instruments and telemetering devices are placed in the Warhead although some go into the control compartment between the Warhead and the fuel tanks which also contains the electrical controls that guide the [Music] rocket when the missile is completely assembled it is weighed and its center of gravity is determined without fuel the rocket weighs tons the addition of 9 tons of alcohol in liquid oxygen brings the gross takeoff weight to approximately 14 [Music] tons when the rocket is ready to be taken to the firing range it is placed on a special vehicle called the Milo wagon designed for carrying and erecting the missile [Music] [Applause] extreme care is taken in transporting the missile from the assembly area to the firing range the delicate control mechanism of the rocket is very easily damaged [Music] a maximum speed of 20 mph is maintained on the 5 mile trip trailers carrying equipment used by the ground launching crew follow the rocket [Music] the men of the ground crew are soldiers from the first anti-aircraft guided missiles [Music] Battalion a launching platform is brought into position to be engaged to the Milo [Music] wagon retaining clamps which hold the missile to the lifting frame are checked and mechanical Jacks are employed to level the launching platform a wooden working stage which will be removed before launching is placed over the blast deflector before erecting the rocket the missile is ready to be raised to a vertical position hydraulic Rams on the Miler wagon are set in operation [Music] the missile is not anchored to the platform in any way therefore care must be taken to seat the rocket [Music] squarely with the rocket firmly seated the retaining clamps on the lifting frame are released and the frame is lowered [Music] while the V2 is being erected on its platform technicians are busy completing and testing the electrical control circuits power for energizing the control system is carried to the missile through a ground connecting cable Mask two cables are attached to the rocket by magnetic plugs which are released during the preliminary burning stage the firing asmith of the rocket is carefully set [Music] [Applause] Engineers use surveyor transits to ensure that the rocket is vertical the Rocket's weight and its low center of gravity make the missile capable of standing in winds up to 50 mph preparations are made for final pre-launching tests a trailing radio antenna is arranged in a pullout box to ensure that it will not be damaged during the takeoff to facilitate fueling and checking of the missile a specially designed Gantry crane is wheeled in on tracks working platforms on The Columns of the crane are lowered into position on either side of the missile last minute adjustments are made on the data recording devices which the missile will carry the carbon veins which will guide the rocket during the burning period are attached to their bracket the last operation in the preparation of the rocket for firing is the loading of fuel first 4 tons of grain alcohol are pumped into the upper tank in the 62nd burning period nine tons of fuel will be consumed [Music] when alcohol fueling has been completed approximately 5 tons of liquid oxygen are pumped into the lower tank an overflow pipe allows air and gaseous oxygen to escape during the filling operation 380 lb of hydrogen peroxide and 30 lbs of sodium permanganate are placed in the steam turban pumping unit which will operate the missiles fuel pump after fueling the gyro stabilized steering controls are given a final test the pyrotechnic device which will ignite the propulsion unit is set in [Music] place the men who will launch the rocket report to the chief proof officer the Gantry crane is withdrawn [Music] final weather and wind velocity checks are made over a radius of 17 mil field stations are alerted radar devices are warmed up and adjusted special cameras are ready hundreds of electrical control cables extend from the missile to a stoutly constructed Block House roofed with 27 ft of reinforced concrete the block house will protect the launching crew in the event of a misfire or explosion time is growing short control is assumed by the launching crew inside the Block House a carefully planned schedule is [Music] followed the chief proof officer is in constant contact with all field stations via telephone [Music] the commandant of the Proving Ground makes a final check on the preparations for [Music] launching 3 minutes before launching marked by a flare from a very [Music] pistol two minutes before [Music] launching 1 [Music] minute 20 seconds 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 zero rocket away [Music] now radar tracking devices swing into operation 4 seconds have elapsed the rocket is now 1 mile up its sound is still deafening to the a telescopic cameras follow the course of the missile 60 seconds have elapsed the rocket is now 20 M up and traveling at 3,000 mph automatic recorders plot signals from the Rocket 3 minutes and 45 seconds have elapsed the missile has reached its highest point 100 Mil above the Earth more than 10 times higher than any airplane has ever flown radar technicians forward information to the black house a forecast is made of the location of the point of impact the approximate location of the missile's impact is given to liazon pilots who will search for the Fallen rocket [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] and observer SES fragments of the [Music] missile he alerts the ground recovery party and arrangers a rendo the location is plotted on a map and grid coordinates are [Music] transmitted the ground and air parties meet the air party leads the way to the wreckage [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] under normal circumstances parts of the rocket are spread over a wide area careful search is made for all recording instruments designed to withstand the shock of [Music] impact every part of the missile which can be located is carried back to The Proving Ground Laboratories to be studied and [Applause] [Music] analyzed after each launching a conference of all supervisory Personnel is held to discuss the performance of the missile the technicians in charge of radar and Camera stations give a summary of their phase of the operation informal reports given to the chief proof officer by the men in charge of the collection of data or the fabrication of the missile make it possible for him to correct and improve technique in later operations the Ordinance Department by using the V2 as a test vehicle gains valuable information on the characteristics and performance of guided missiles in their controls participation in the ordinance Department's V2 program by other war and navy Department technical agencies and scientific institutions makes the experiments performed at the White Sands Proving Ground much more than routine ordin research out of the vastness of the New Mexico desert may come the miracle of tomorrow's science

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