When a stage is in its container there are no fins in place. With the container top removed it looks like a cylinder inside of a half cylinder and no obvious forward or rear. A marking like this helps align the handling equipment.
It was a dummy motor with all the energetic materials replaced by “inert” simulators, otherwise identical-ish to a tactical item. They were used to prove out the manufacturing process and then for training or displays.
The propellant in these was about 80-85% oxidizer and fuel solids (ammonium perchlorate and aluminum powder), the remainder was polybutadiene rubber, stabilizers, catalysts, flow enhancers, etc. I don’t know what Hercules used for inert propellant but the other company I worked for replaced all the energetic solids with rock salt and added blue dye to indicate that it was inert. It was like a blue pencil eraser.
Funny story with that. That second company made all sorts of small to medium-sized motors. Back in the 60s or 70s - before they added the blue dye - the company had a good-sized inert motor that they carried around to trade shows, college recruiting, and whatnot. After a few years the military went to test one of the missiles made at the same time as the demo unit and it wouldn’t fire: It had been filled with inert propellant.
That is looking brilliant Al… A real monster of a kit and build … great detailing and very clever extra scratch builds to give that special touch … Outstanding job
Al that’s one fancy-schmancy weight to hold down the cladding. Quite ingenious but it probably took you longer to make it than it took for the glue to dry. Excellent problem solving though! Starbond Black has to be the greatest glue on the planet.
I picked up my copy of this kit yesterday from Skyway Model Shop in Seattle. There is a LOT of styrene in that box! As my interest is in the weapon, I will probably built the Pershing and TEL in launch position. I may build the truck later. Thanks for the detailed build log - it is a great “go-by”.
Thanks Gino. Pretty much done. Semi glossed the missile, but I think I’m gonna reshoot it with a flat finish.
I’ll try to take some glamor shots a better background before it leaves the workshop for the top with of the display case with all my other Cold War nukes.
That whole thing is stunning. What a brilliant build …also, those decals have settled perfectly over the raised areas and sunken into the lines … They look totally realistic Al.
