A-4 rockets in US

USA

History:

The German V-2 rocket, Hitler's "brain child" of World War II, is the grandfather of America's family of large missiles.

Based on findings made by America's Dr. Robert H. Goddard following World War I, the Germans hit a peak production of V-2's during 1944 and 1945 at Peenemunde, and terrorized Allied populations of Europe and England until the end of the war.

In the closing days of the war, America embarked upon its own rocket development program and established White Sands Proving Ground (now White Sands Missile Range) in New Mexico as its principal site for rocket testing and development.

In mid-August 1945, 300 railroad freight cars of V-2 components captured in the European Theater of Operations arrived in New Mexico. The Santa Fe Railroad spotted ten cars per day in Las Cruces, NM for unloading and transport by military and German personnel to the east side of the Organ Mountains.

To get an idea of the magnitude of the logistics problem, every railroad siding from El Paso, TX to Belen, NM, a distance of 210 miles, was full of cars. The Army hired every flatbed truck in Dona Ana County to move the material. The task was completed in 20 days.

Some of the components and material brought to White Sands included 215 combustion chambers, 180 sets of propellant tanks, 90 tail units, 100 sets of graphite jet vanes, and 200 turbopumps.

In addition to material, captured German scientists and missile experts were sent to the U.S. to assist in America's missile program. After careful screening, approximately 100 individuals were chosen to come to this country. A paperclip was placed on their folders and they became part of the program known as "Operation Paperclip."

German personnel at WSPG reached its peak of 39 in March 1946. Thereafter, the German specialists and engineers were replaced by American contractor personnel in the spring of 1947.

The widespread impression that many German missiles were brought to America intact and ready for flight was erroneous. No V-2s were received in flyable condition. The General Electric Company was contracted by the U.S. Army Ordnance Department to assemble, test and fire the V-2s.

Technical Data:

A-4 rocket

V2 rocket schema

Launch Summary:
- There were between 69 and 73 V-2′s lauched from White Sands Proving Grounds (WSPG) or as it is referred to today as White Sands Missile Range(WSMR) in New Mexico. Actual number of launches is still to be verified.
- There were a total of 2 V-2′s launched from the Joint Long Range Proving Grounds (JLRPG) or as it is referred to today as "Cape Canaveral" in Florida.
- There was a total of 1 V-2 (nr 28) launched off of the USS Midway in an operation called "Sandy."
- The launches at White Sands began April 16, 1946 and ended September 19, 1952.
- The launches at JLRPG began July 24, 1950 and ended July 29, 1950.
- Operation Sandy took place on September 6, 1946.
- There were enough parts to build 100 V-2′s shipped from Germany to New Mexico at the end of WWII.
Ref.: #7, #14, #35, #57; #102 - update: 23.06.20 Home

A-4 rockets in US

USA

History:

Technical Data:

Launch Summary: