Author Topic: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket  (Read 37663 times)

Offline Targeteer

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this is likely of note to some on the forum   "The museum's Research Division will assist the restoration staff with curatorial research to ensure the rocket is displayed accurately. They are looking for help from those who worked in the Titan 4B program. If you or someone you know can provide expert assistance with the project, please contact the Research Division at [email protected]."

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123422558

by Sarah Swan
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

8/26/2014 - DAYTON, Ohio -- It sits in gigantic pieces in a World War II era hangar at Wright-Patterson Air Force. Acquired in 2005 from Lockheed Martin, this important space artifact has been waiting in storage for restoration specialists to bring it back to life. Now, as the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force prepares for its new 224,000 square foot fourth building, the time has finally come to begin restoring the Titan 4B space launch vehicle.

"This is the largest artifact we have ever restored," said Greg Hassler, a supervisor in the Restoration Division. "We have moved all the pieces into our restoration hangars, and now our staff is cataloging parts and planning the best way to tackle this massive project."

The impressive Titan 4B, with roots going back to the early days of U.S. Air Force and civil space launch, is significant as the museum looks to share the story of USAF and USAF-enabled space operations.

"The Titan 4B and the exhibit space around it will be crucial for telling the USAF space story," said Dr. Doug Lantry, project manager for the new Space Gallery, which will be housed in the fourth building. "These exhibits are important because they illustrate what the USAF has done in space to defend our nation, how those jobs were and are done and by whom, and how the science, technology, engineering and mathematics of space work in the context of national defense history."

The Titan rocket family formed a critical component of U.S. access to space for nearly 50 years, with the first launch in 1959 and the last in 2005. More than 350 Titans were launched overall. The Titan family included two models of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), and several variously configured types of space launch vehicles.

Although the museum's Restoration Division has worked on several missiles and space launch vehicles, including the Titan I and Titan II on display in the Missile Gallery, the Titan 4B will be a unique project. Standing more than 200 feet tall, the Titan 4B is nearly twice as tall as other similar vehicles in the museum's collection.

"The Titan 4B is just a giant," Hassler said. "Just one of its solid rocket motor units weighs 75,000 pounds, with a diameter of 10 and a half feet. One of the biggest challenges for our staff is going to be figuring out how to assemble and display it horizontally because it is too tall to stand up inside the gallery."

The museum's Research Division will assist the restoration staff with curatorial research to ensure the rocket is displayed accurately. They are looking for help from those who worked in the Titan 4B program. If you or someone you know can provide expert assistance with the project, please contact the Research Division at [email protected].

In the meantime, the staff is looking forward to the eventual display of the launch vehicle.

"Titan-derived space launch vehicles boosted many important defense and civilian satellites and upper stage vehicles into orbit," Lantry said. "The final exhibit, showcased in our newest building, is going to provide a great opportunity to talk about U.S. military space efforts and the story of USAF space launch."

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, is the world's largest military aviation museum. With free admission and parking, the museum features more than 360 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts amid more than 17 acres of indoor exhibit space. Each year about one million visitors from around the world come to the museum. For more information, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.

NOTE TO PUBLIC: For more information, please contact the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at (937) 255-3286.

NOTE TO MEDIA: For more information, please contact Sarah Swan at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Public Affairs Division at (937) 255-1283
« Last Edit: 12/12/2015 11:40 am by Jester »
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Offline apollolanding

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #1 on: 08/27/2014 12:48 am »
As if I needed another reason to make the road trip to Dayton!
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Offline kevin-rf

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #2 on: 08/27/2014 01:12 am »
Same here, road trip... Though, it would be worth taking a trip now, then going back when the Titan 4b is put on display!
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Offline Blackstar

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #3 on: 08/27/2014 03:58 pm »
I'll be out there in September and October. But of course none of this is in the public area.

There's a Delta III in storage on the West Coast. Anybody have any information on plans to restore that?

Also, there's some interesting stuff happening soon at the Smithsonian in DC. I'll have more on that later.

Offline collectSPACE

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #4 on: 08/28/2014 03:16 pm »
But of course none of this is in the public area.

The Titan 4B is included on the museum's behind-the-scenes tour of its restoration hangars:

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/visit/tours.asp

Behind the Scenes Tours are regularly scheduled, free guided tours of the museum's restoration area. Participants are shuttled to the restoration hangars, located about one mile from the main museum complex. Tours are offered every Friday (some exceptions) at 12:15 p.m. Advance registration is required. Sign up early as tours may fill up quickly!

« Last Edit: 08/28/2014 03:16 pm by collectSPACE »

Offline Jim

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #5 on: 08/28/2014 03:23 pm »
Look like there is a fairing.   The trisectors are in a frame.

Offline Rocket Science

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #6 on: 08/28/2014 03:32 pm »
It would be great to see a Dyna-Soar mock-up on top of the stack! 8)
« Last Edit: 08/28/2014 04:07 pm by Rocket Science »
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Offline kevin-rf

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #7 on: 08/28/2014 04:11 pm »
It would be great to see a Dyna-Soar mock-up on top of the stack! 8)
Or a payload that actually flew on the 4B, like a KH-11 :)
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Offline Rocket Science

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #8 on: 08/28/2014 04:22 pm »
It would be great to see a Dyna-Soar mock-up on top of the stack! 8)
Or a payload that actually flew on the 4B, like a KH-11 :)
I really wouldn’t mind a summer residence right beside Wright-Pat... ;D
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Offline Jim

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #9 on: 08/28/2014 04:30 pm »
It would be great to see a Dyna-Soar mock-up on top of the stack! 8)
Or a payload that actually flew on the 4B, like a KH-11 :)

They do have one.  DSP.

Offline Targeteer

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #10 on: 08/30/2014 02:51 pm »
http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=21598

DR. DAVID K. STUMPF

Wings & Things Guest Lecture
Dr. David K. Stumpf will present "Titan II - The Few but the Powerful" at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 17, 2014. (Photo provided)
Download HiRes

"Titan II - The Few but the Powerful"

Sept. 17, 2014 - 7:30 p.m.

David K. Stumpf has been interested in missiles and airplanes from his early days in Davis, Calif., where he used to run outside to watch the SAC B-52s fly over his house in the landing pattern for Travis AFB.

He received a Ph.D. in plant biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 1980 and moved that same year with his wife,  Susan, to Tucson, Ariz. He began serving as a tour guide at the Titan Missile  Museum in 1987 and soon after crafted the documentation that led to the museum achieving national historic landmark status.

His day job was as a research biochemist at the University of Arizona in Tucson where he worked on investigating the mechanism of salt tolerance in plants, photosynthetic pathways in isolated spinach chloroplasts and isolating pharmaceutically active compounds in plants from South America. He retired from the research in 2002.

Upon retirement he and his wife moved to the Diamond Mountain Retreat Center, serving as operations manager overseeing the building of 29 retreat cabins and installation of a water system. He and his wife completed a 3 year, 3 month, 3 day retreat in April of 2014.

Stumpf has written two books. The first, titled "Regulus: The Forgotten Weapon," focused on the Navy's first nuclear armed cruise missile, Regulus I and Regulus II. He also wrote "Titan II: A History of a Cold War Missile Program" as part of the Defense Department Legacy Program.

During his lecture, Stumpf will give an overview of the Titan II program culminating in a discussion of just how close a Soviet weapon would have had to come to incapacitate the silo. Historic launch film also will be provided.
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Offline Targeteer

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #11 on: 09/16/2014 03:38 am »
http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123423130

by Sarah Swan
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

9/2/2014 - DAYTON, Ohio -- Visitors who walk into the Missile Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force often stand in awe as they view intercontinental ballistic missiles and launch vehicles rising more than 100 feet in the air. One of those missiles -- the Titan II -- is the subject of an upcoming lecture at the museum.

Dr. David K. Stumpf will present "Titan II - The Few but the Powerful" at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 17 in the museum's Carney Auditorium. He will give an overview of the Titan II program, culminating in a discussion of just how close a Soviet weapon would have had to come to incapacitate the silo. Historic launch film also will be shown during the presentation.

Stumpf has been interested in missiles and airplanes from an early age when he used to run outside to watch the Strategic Air Command B-52s fly over his house in California. Later, he began serving as a tour guide at the Titan Missile Museum in 1987 and soon after crafted the documentation that led to the museum achieving national historic landmark status. His day job was as a research biochemist at the University of Arizona in Tucson, where he worked on investigating the mechanism of salt tolerance in plants, photosynthetic pathways in isolated spinach chloroplasts and isolating pharmaceutically active compounds in plants from South America. He retired from the research in 2002.

Stumpf has written two books. The first, titled "Regulus: The Forgotten Weapon," focused on the Navy's first nuclear armed cruise missiles, Regulus I and Regulus II. He also wrote "Titan II: A History of a Cold War Missile Program" as part of the Defense Department Legacy Program.

For more information or handicapped seating arrangements during the lecture, contact the museum's Special Events Division at (937) 255-1743. Filming or videotaping the lecture is prohibited.

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, is the world's largest military aviation museum. With free admission and parking, the museum features more than 360 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts amid more than 17 acres of indoor exhibit space. Each year about one million visitors from around the world come to the museum. For more information, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.
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Offline Targeteer

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #12 on: 12/11/2015 11:04 pm »
shortened    These are some of the items being moved to the new building at the National Museum of the US Air Force.  I need to make a trip out there once everything is moved.
« Last Edit: 06/08/2016 05:38 pm by Lar »
Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

Offline Targeteer

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #13 on: 12/13/2015 08:46 pm »
Check out footage of the Titan IVB as sections of it moved into the museum's new 4th building. The impressive space launch vehicle, with roots going back to the early days of U.S. Air Force and civil space launch, is significant as the museum looks to share the story of the USAF space mission in the new fourth building Space Gallery which opens to the public in June of 2016.

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Offline edkyle99

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #14 on: 12/13/2015 10:08 pm »
It will be a horizontal display, which hopefully will make it more accessible for public viewing. 

Now, if only the Museum would get an Atlas back on display.  Atlas was the keystone of the first generation ICBM era, and of the Space Age, and it was an Air Force project.  The museum is incomplete without Atlas.   

 - Ed Kyle
« Last Edit: 12/13/2015 10:09 pm by edkyle99 »

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #15 on: 03/18/2016 09:42 pm »
https://www.facebook.com/AFmuseum/photos/pcb.10153974390747230/10153974385362230/?type=3&theater

Check out this week's photos of the Titan IVB solid rocket motor upgrades(SRMU's) being raised into their final position. Orbit Industrial Contractors, Consolidated Machinery Movers, and museum restoration crews worked together using various lifts and a gantry crane system. The Titan IVB will be on display in the new fourth building which opens to the public on June 8.
Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

Offline Archibald

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #16 on: 03/19/2016 01:30 pm »
https://www.facebook.com/AFmuseum/photos/pcb.10153974390747230/10153974385362230/?type=3&theater

Check out this week's photos of the Titan IVB solid rocket motor upgrades(SRMU's) being raised into their final position. Orbit Industrial Contractors, Consolidated Machinery Movers, and museum restoration crews worked together using various lifts and a gantry crane system. The Titan IVB will be on display in the new fourth building which opens to the public on June 8.

That picture is straight out of a sci-fi movie.
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Offline Blackstar

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #17 on: 03/19/2016 03:09 pm »
So what is this Titan IV? Engineering mockup?

Offline edkyle99

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #18 on: 03/19/2016 03:37 pm »
So what is this Titan IV? Engineering mockup?
It is the 40th Titan 4, a B version, built but never launched.  It appears to be a No Upper Stage version with a pretty long fairing (not sure of the exact length).  It may have served as a spare in case of EELV delays or a late Titan 4 failure.  I'm fascinated by the assembly process underway in Dayton.  What we are seeing is, in effect, the last Titan vehicle integration!

 - Ed Kyle
« Last Edit: 03/19/2016 03:56 pm by edkyle99 »

Offline the_other_Doug

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #19 on: 03/19/2016 04:51 pm »
Umm... those solids are just empty casings, right?

I'd be somewhat uncomfortable seeing a museum display with aging SRBs, complete with fuel, sitting there.  Maybe it's not possible for the fuel to go unstable over extended periods -- I'm not a chemist.  But as a layman, those are awfully big firecrackers to be sitting there, if they're not just casings.  For example, what would happen if a fire broke out near them somehow?

Just -- sort of makes me itch, thinking about it.   :-\
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Offline edkyle99

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #20 on: 03/19/2016 05:31 pm »
Umm... those solids are just empty casings, right?

I'd be somewhat uncomfortable seeing a museum display with aging SRBs, complete with fuel, sitting there.  Maybe it's not possible for the fuel to go unstable over extended periods -- I'm not a chemist.  But as a layman, those are awfully big firecrackers to be sitting there, if they're not just casings.  For example, what would happen if a fire broke out near them somehow?

Just -- sort of makes me itch, thinking about it.   :-\
Empty, yes.  There was apparently a loaded SRMU pair for this vehicle that was expended in the desert somewhere, somehow, at the end of the program.  The pair at the museum might be ground test articles or something, but I'm not sure.  They certainly look like the real thing.

 - Ed Kyle
« Last Edit: 03/19/2016 05:33 pm by edkyle99 »

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #21 on: 03/19/2016 05:53 pm »
they are empty.
a.  Safety doesn't allow them to stored like that or have personnel near them without PPE and grounding
b.  Propellant is not visible in the photos
c.  Much higher capacity cranes would be required to lift them.

Offline Graham

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #22 on: 03/19/2016 09:29 pm »
c.  Much higher capacity cranes would be required to lift them.
Just out of curiosity, how much does an empty casing weigh vs a loaded casing?
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Offline edkyle99

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #23 on: 03/19/2016 11:36 pm »
c.  Much higher capacity cranes would be required to lift them.
Just out of curiosity, how much does an empty casing weigh vs a loaded casing?
Loaded, each SRMU weighed about 345,510 kg.  Empty they weighed about 37,050 kg.

SRMU was the most highly-evolved, most efficient big-throat solid motor ever developed in the United States, and arguably in the world.  (More propellant, more thrust, and better mass fraction than Ariane 5 EAP-E, but lower vacuum specific impulse.)

 - Ed Kyle
« Last Edit: 03/19/2016 11:42 pm by edkyle99 »

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #24 on: 06/08/2016 01:22 pm »
The restoration is finished and the rocket is now on display!

http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-060816a-air-force-museum-space-gallery.html
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Offline Blackstar

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #25 on: 06/08/2016 02:05 pm »
I'll be there next Tuesday. Phil Pressel is speaking in front of the KH-9 HEXAGON.
« Last Edit: 06/08/2016 02:06 pm by Blackstar »

Offline edkyle99

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #26 on: 06/08/2016 02:30 pm »
XB-70, X-15, Titan 4B, Hexagon, X-40A, Apollo, Gemini, and Mercury spacecraft, and much more.  That has to be one of the most interesting hangars on the planet right now!

 - Ed Kyle
« Last Edit: 06/08/2016 02:31 pm by edkyle99 »

Offline kevin-rf

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #27 on: 06/08/2016 03:30 pm »
Not to nit pick, did the X-15 with drop tanks ever fly without the ablative coating? Otherwise they need to cover it in the pink stuff.
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Offline alk3997

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #28 on: 06/08/2016 03:37 pm »
About the fourth photo down in the article will answer your question (yes, it flew without on some flights)

http://www.x15x24.com/x-15.html

Andy

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #29 on: 06/08/2016 04:52 pm »
As collectspace's article reports that the payload fairing is 86 feet long, this indicates that the configuration for this museum display is the Titan IV(401)B. The "1" meaning a Centaur-T third stage.
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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #30 on: 06/08/2016 07:14 pm »
Titan IVB Feature

 
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

Published on Jun 3, 2016
The Titan IVB was the U.S. Air Force’s largest and most powerful expendable single-use rocket. It was a space launch vehicle used to place satellites into orbit. Titan IVB rockets boosted payloads into low earth orbit, polar orbit, or geosynchronous (stationary) orbit from either Cape Canaveral, Fla., or Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9pE9SQSGs8?t=001

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Offline Ronpur50

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #31 on: 06/09/2016 01:03 am »
Not to nit pick, did the X-15 with drop tanks ever fly without the ablative coating? Otherwise they need to cover it in the pink stuff.

I have been building an X-15 model and doing a lot of research.  The X-15 book I have says they were not coated because they were dropped before the ablative coating would be needed.  They also had a LOT of different markings! 

Offline DatUser14

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #32 on: 06/09/2016 11:48 am »
I'll be there next Tuesday. Phil Pressel is speaking in front of the KH-9 HEXAGON.
Can you give me more info about this event? Is it public?
Titan IVB was a cool rocket

Offline kevin-rf

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #33 on: 06/09/2016 03:07 pm »
Not to nit pick, did the X-15 with drop tanks ever fly without the ablative coating? Otherwise they need to cover it in the pink stuff.

I have been building an X-15 model and doing a lot of research.  The X-15 book I have says they were not coated because they were dropped before the ablative coating would be needed.  They also had a LOT of different markings! 
I was referring to the X-15 itself, did the X-15 itself ever fly with drop tanks without the ablative coating on the X-15. If so, they need to paint it pink :D
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Offline Blackstar

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #34 on: 06/09/2016 04:43 pm »
I'll be there next Tuesday. Phil Pressel is speaking in front of the KH-9 HEXAGON.
Can you give me more info about this event? Is it public?

Yeah, it's public. He will be speaking in front of the H for about 15-20 minutes about four times during the day. I don't know the exact times, but I can ask him. I'll be there. I'm going up to see the new building.

Offline Ronpur50

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #35 on: 06/09/2016 04:58 pm »
Not to nit pick, did the X-15 with drop tanks ever fly without the ablative coating? Otherwise they need to cover it in the pink stuff.

I have been building an X-15 model and doing a lot of research.  The X-15 book I have says they were not coated because they were dropped before the ablative coating would be needed.  They also had a LOT of different markings! 
I was referring to the X-15 itself, did the X-15 itself ever fly with drop tanks without the ablative coating on the X-15. If so, they need to paint it pink :D

Oh, yes, it flew with tanks and no ablative.  That is why I have to build two models. LOL

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #36 on: 06/09/2016 05:02 pm »
Not to nit pick, did the X-15 with drop tanks ever fly without the ablative coating? Otherwise they need to cover it in the pink stuff.

I have been building an X-15 model and doing a lot of research.  The X-15 book I have says they were not coated because they were dropped before the ablative coating would be needed.  They also had a LOT of different markings! 
I was referring to the X-15 itself, did the X-15 itself ever fly with drop tanks without the ablative coating on the X-15. If so, they need to paint it pink :D
Yes, without any coating on flight 155, Robert A. Rushworth at the controls...
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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #37 on: 06/09/2016 05:06 pm »
Not to nit pick, did the X-15 with drop tanks ever fly without the ablative coating? Otherwise they need to cover it in the pink stuff.

I have been building an X-15 model and doing a lot of research.  The X-15 book I have says they were not coated because they were dropped before the ablative coating would be needed.  They also had a LOT of different markings! 
I was referring to the X-15 itself, did the X-15 itself ever fly with drop tanks without the ablative coating on the X-15. If so, they need to paint it pink :D

Oh, yes, it flew with tanks and no ablative.  That is why I have to build two models. LOL
No, you will have to build three... Flight 158 Ablative test on nose gear door, horizontal stabilizer, and lower fixed ventral only... Four if you want it in pink... ;D
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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #38 on: 06/09/2016 05:11 pm »
Not to nit pick, did the X-15 with drop tanks ever fly without the ablative coating? Otherwise they need to cover it in the pink stuff.

I have been building an X-15 model and doing a lot of research.  The X-15 book I have says they were not coated because they were dropped before the ablative coating would be needed.  They also had a LOT of different markings! 
I was referring to the X-15 itself, did the X-15 itself ever fly with drop tanks without the ablative coating on the X-15. If so, they need to paint it pink :D

Pink, are you sure? All the pictures I've seen of the X-15 in flight (or flight ready) with ablatives has been with white ablative. So did the pink ablative turn white, or was it never used?

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #39 on: 06/09/2016 05:12 pm »
Not to nit pick, did the X-15 with drop tanks ever fly without the ablative coating? Otherwise they need to cover it in the pink stuff.

I have been building an X-15 model and doing a lot of research.  The X-15 book I have says they were not coated because they were dropped before the ablative coating would be needed.  They also had a LOT of different markings! 
I was referring to the X-15 itself, did the X-15 itself ever fly with drop tanks without the ablative coating on the X-15. If so, they need to paint it pink :D

Pink, are you sure? All the pictures I've seen of the X-15 in flight (or flight ready) with ablatives has been with white ablative. So did the pink ablative turn white, or was it never used?

They painted over the pink ...
http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/Gallery/Photo/X-15/Small/ECN-1736.jpg
« Last Edit: 06/09/2016 05:15 pm by Rocket Science »
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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #40 on: 06/09/2016 05:28 pm »
So that model has to be kept inside a tent without drop tanks...
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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #41 on: 06/09/2016 05:29 pm »
The MA-25S ablative coating was indeed pink. It was also reactive with LOX, so it was overcoated with white Dow Corning DC90-090 RTV to protect it from any spills. I've also read a probably-apocryphal story that one of the pilots refused to fly a pink airplane.
« Last Edit: 06/09/2016 05:30 pm by DMeader »

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #42 on: 06/09/2016 07:29 pm »
This museum is definitely on my list of places to visit....no matter what the color of the X-15!

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #43 on: 06/09/2016 08:52 pm »
Fourth Building Ribbon Cutting at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

Published on Jun 9, 2016
Ribbon cutting for the new fourth building at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. This video also includes footage of the galleries from June 8, 2016.



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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #44 on: 06/09/2016 09:32 pm »
full coverage.....

Fourth Building Grand Opening Ceremony at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

Published on Jun 9, 2016
The fourth building grand opening ceremony for the new 224,000 square foot building was held on June 7, 2016 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.



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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #45 on: 06/10/2016 01:12 am »
This museum is definitely on my list of places to visit....no matter what the color of the X-15!
I'm really looking forward to see all the changes and  new exhibits since my last visit! 8)
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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #46 on: 06/13/2016 08:35 pm »
Former Astronaut Mark Brown at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

Published on Jun 13, 2016
Former Astronaut Mark Brown spoke to us about his time with the Crew Compartment Trainer and the Space Shuttle Exhibit on display in the new fourth building.



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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #47 on: 06/14/2016 10:16 pm »
Fourth Building Grand Opening Weekend Highlights at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

Published on Jun 14, 2016



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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #48 on: 07/06/2016 09:59 pm »
The Four New Galleries

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

Published on Jul 6, 2016
Footage of the new fourth building that includes more than 70 aircraft in four new galleries -- Presidential, Research & Development, Space and Global Reach.



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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #49 on: 07/19/2018 07:16 pm »
https://www.govconwire.com/2018/07/video-titan-ivb-payload-fairing-assembly/

Air Force Research Laboratory engineers and technicians from the Structural Validation Branch of the Aerospace Vehicles Division, Aerospace Systems Directorate Team, partnered with museum restoration crews to assemble a 60 foot tall payload fairing from the Titan IVB space launch vehicle. The impressive Titan IVB, with roots going back to the early days of U.S. Air Force and civil space launch, is significant as the museum looks to share the story of USAF and USAF-enabled space operations in its Space Gallery.


Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #50 on: 07/21/2018 03:56 am »
Okay, so just to be clear, this video shows the 2016 restoration of the fairing that has been on display at the museum since 2016.

There's a Delta III that is apparently in California awaiting restoration. The upper stage is on display outside at the California Science Center and I was told that the rest of the rocket was in storage. Dunno if that's true.

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #51 on: 07/21/2018 05:32 am »
Okay, so just to be clear, this video shows the 2016 restoration of the fairing that has been on display at the museum since 2016.

There's a Delta III that is apparently in California awaiting restoration. The upper stage is on display outside at the California Science Center and I was told that the rest of the rocket was in storage. Dunno if that's true.

Yep.  And AFRL just got around to mentioning it :)
Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #52 on: 01/16/2024 04:40 am »


Quote
Jan 15, 2024  NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE US AIR FORCE
Opened to the public in 2004, the Missile Gallery is contained in a silo-like structure that stands 140 feet high. Visitors can view missiles such as the Titan I and II and Jupiter from ground level or can take in an aerial view from an elevated platform that hugs the inside circumference of the gallery.
« Last Edit: 01/16/2024 04:41 am by catdlr »
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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #53 on: 01/16/2024 07:42 pm »
Slightly off-topic, but also somewhat related to restoring a Titan.

On Friday I was out at Patrick SFB and got over to their old rocket garden. Over the years they have moved a lot of things out of there, restored them, and put them in their Hangar C. There are still a few large pieces of hardware out in the weather. Off the top of my head:

-Mercury Redstone
-Mercury Redstone launch stand
-IUS upper stage shipping container
-Delta IV core stage (big orange thing, not in good condition)
-USAF locomotive
-ASROC anti-submarine rocket
-Titan I

That Titan I is in rough shape, but I did not see any indications that it is falling apart. It may not be possible for them to save it. Restoration costs a lot of money, and even moving it would cost a significant amount of money. If they cannot restore/save the whole thing, hopefully they can save the engines and nose cone.

It was drizzly and cloudy much of the day, so I did not do a lot of exploring. Note that the Navaho is actually outside the gate, near the badging office, museum, and SpaceX launch control.



Update: Added a photo of that area from 1968. You can see the Titan I in better days.
« Last Edit: 01/16/2024 07:52 pm by Blackstar »

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #54 on: 01/16/2024 07:48 pm »
Slightly off-topic, but also somewhat related to restoring a Titan.

On Friday I was out at Patrick SFB and got over to their old rocket garden. Over the years they have moved a lot of things out of there, restored them, and put them in their Hangar C. There are still a few large pieces of hardware out in the weather. Off the top of my head:

-Mercury Redstone
-Mercury Redstone launch stand
-IUS upper stage shipping container
-Delta IV core stage (big orange thing, not in good condition)
-USAF locomotive
-ASROC anti-submarine rocket
-Titan I

That Titan I is in rough shape, but I did not see any indications that it is falling apart. It may not be possible for them to save it. Restoration costs a lot of money, and even moving it would cost a significant amount of money. If they cannot restore/save the whole thing, hopefully they can save the engines and nose cone.

It was drizzly and cloudy much of the day, so I did not do a lot of exploring. Note that the Navaho is actually outside the gate, near the badging office, museum, and SpaceX launch control.

So sad for some of them, It's better to keep these historic rockets indoors, where generations to come can appreciate what we as a nation did many years ago.

Thanks for sharing Blackstar.
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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #55 on: 01/16/2024 07:58 pm »
So sad for some of them, It's better to keep these historic rockets indoors, where generations to come can appreciate what we as a nation did many years ago.

Thanks for sharing Blackstar.

I did not get to Hangar C on Friday, but I have photos I took in there in 2023 (and there are lots of photos on the internet). I think that they've done a pretty good job. It's not possible to save everything, but the priority should be to save unique and/or historical objects (note that unique and historical are not the same thing). There's a great representative sample at Hangar C. I do think they could use a Falcon 9 first stage, although there already is one at the KSC Visitor's Center. I'd like to see that Titan I saved. I don't know what else would be good, and realistic, to add to their collection.

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #56 on: 01/18/2024 04:21 pm »
Here is Hangar C by the way. I have a bunch more photos somewhere. This one is from their website.

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #57 on: 01/18/2024 05:32 pm »
Here is Hangar C by the way. I have a bunch more photos somewhere. This one is from their website.

It's funny Blackstar how we took photos of military, aviation, and aerospace at museums we visited long ago and just stuffed them away only to find how important they are to other generations who are interested in them.  The outdoor displays need a lot of constant attention to keep them pristine, especially in a humid climate.  They do better out here in the desert.

Tony
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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #58 on: 01/19/2024 12:20 am »
The cape has several bad things going for preserving outdoor objects: heat and humidity (rust), salt air (more rust), and hurricanes. I was at that outdoor rocket garden in 2016 or so and there were a bunch of things out there. Now many of them are in Hangar C, repainted and protected. That's a great improvement. I'd like to see them save that ASROC, IUS, and Titan I. The ASROC should be relatively easy, because it's not that big. The others are bigger problems.

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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #59 on: 01/19/2024 12:34 am »
The cape has several bad things going for preserving outdoor objects: heat and humidity (rust), salt air (more rust), and hurricanes. I was at that outdoor rocket garden in 2016 or so and there were a bunch of things out there. Now many of them are in Hangar C, repainted and protected. That's a great improvement. I'd like to see them save that ASROC, IUS, and Titan I. The ASROC should be relatively easy, because it's not that big. The others are bigger problems.

Unless all that is moved to dryer western states (i.e., AZ, NV and So Cal), then air-conditioned buildings are the only best bet.
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Re: Museum to begin restoring massive Titan 4B rocket
« Reply #60 on: 03/24/2024 02:54 am »
« Last Edit: 03/24/2024 02:54 am by catdlr »
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