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Douglas Aircraft USAF "Skybolt" Missile Contractor's Desk Model

About the Item

A very cool and extremely rare Douglas Aircraft USAF "Skybolt" missile contractor's desk model, circa 1950s. The piece is in good condition with some nicks and chips (please see pictures). It is made of wood and mounted on a triangular metal base with Douglas Aircraft logo; the desk model measures a substantial 21.5"W x 4.25"D x 10.5"H. The piece was owned by a senior level engineer who on worked on the program. This is a super rare piece of military aviation history. Comes with the vintage paperback book "Rocket Manual for Amateurs". #4390 The Douglas Skybolt was an air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM) developed by the United States during the late 1950s. The basic concept was to allow US strategic bombers to launch their weapons from well outside the range of Soviet defenses, as much as 1,000 miles (1,600 km) from their targets. To do this in an air-launched form, a lightweight thermonuclear warhead was needed. Initially, the W47 from the Polaris missile was selected, but it was later replaced by the W59 from the Minuteman missile. The UK joined the Skybolt program in 1960, intending to use it on their V bomber force. When the design added a star tracker in addition to its inertial navigation system (INS) this meant that it could only be carried externally where the tracker could see the sky. This requirement along with the required ground clearance on takeoff limited it to the Avro Vulcan bomber. Several design decisions in the W47 led the RAF to question its safety, so they intended to use their own Red Snow warheads. This was a heavier warhead and would reduce the range to about 600 miles (970 km), meaning the bombers would have to cross the Soviet coastline to attack Moscow. Testing began in 1962 and was initially marked by a string of failures. These failures, along with a lack of mission after the successful development of submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), led to its cancellation in December 1962. The UK had decided to base its entire 1960s deterrent force on Skybolt, and its cancellation led to a major disagreement between the UK and US, known today as the "Skybolt Crisis". This was resolved by a series of meetings that led to the Royal Navy gaining the UGM-27 Polaris missile and construction of the Resolution-class submarines to launch them. Production history: Manufacturer Douglas Aircraft, Northrop Specifications: Mass 11,000 pounds (5,000 kg) Length 38 feet 3 inches (11.66 m) Diameter 35 inches (890 mm) Wingspan 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) Warhead W59 thermonuclear weapon (1 megaton) Engine Aerojet General two-stage solid-fuel rocket Operational range: 1,150 miles (1,850 km) Flight ceiling 300 miles (480 km) Maximum speed 9,500 miles per hour (15,300 km/h; Mach 12)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 10.5 in (26.67 cm)Width: 21.5 in (54.61 cm)Depth: 4.25 in (10.8 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Stainless Steel,Wood
  • Place of Origin:
    United States
  • Period:
    Mid-20th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1950s
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. The piece is in good condition with some nicks and chips (please see pictures). Overall, very good condition for 70 years old.
  • Seller Location:
    San Diego, CA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: #43901stDibs: LU936644804932

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