The Dragon, M47 AT Missile

[grog18b]

Thanks to Lou, and a very gracious trade, I am the proud new parent of a baby Dragon... Here she is:








Lou even included an extra engine compartment in the trade, so I have a new winter project of making up a new nose and tail section, and setting up a nice display. The tube has been located, and will be purchased shortly... Now if anyone has a spare sight...

I'll post more photos as I get things done, and posted a thanks to lou in the swap section as well. Thanks again Lou, she's found a good home. GROG

[inertordnance]

Hey Grog,

Looks good, it is always nice to have a Dragon around the Castle.

Stay safe,

Frank

[GTR003121]

What a beauty! Congrats!

[AMMOTECHXT]

A Porky Prime Missile. Always nice to see them out of their tubes, in free-range state.

[APFSDST]

Very nice!
What is the little holes on the body? Those the nozzles?

[US-Subs]

Once the dragon missile is launched it is both propelled and steered by the small motors. In hi-speed films you can actually see the missile "hopping" side to side as it moves toward the target.

This can present some additional hazards, depending on the distance to the target there can be several or more unfired motors after impact and even after detonation. I've attached some pictures of one of the motor panels post detonation. The first photo shows that the covers over the motor nozzles are all missing, indicating that all motors still present (sometimes they blow off during warhead detonation or impact) have fired.

The second photo shows the other side of the panel, you can see the motors themselves. While small, they are very energetic and potentially very hazardous if you pick one up.

The final picture is a view of a motor panel on my factory-inert display missile. On this you can see what it looks like when the motor covers are in place. You might find an fired missile with only one or two caps on like this, regardless of the number it should be treated as a live item, HE missile or practice.

[APFSDST]

Jeff, thank you very much the info!

[US-Subs]

Here is a video, you can hear the steering motors popping.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmgUZXeTy6I"]YouTube- M47 Dragon Shoot[/ame]

[grog18b]

Very nice vid, thanks Jeff. I saw a similar video a while back. Very interesting. This particular Dragon has all fired nozzles, and is is very good shape. I am going to try to find some very similar rivets, and replace the ones that were obviously replaced. GROG