Found this...

[Texasdigger]

Check this out.
Very well made, metal, tight tolerances, heavy duty, non-magnetic nose, 4 digit serial number xxxed out twice...
Its heavy at 5.1 lbs. 12 small flathead screws attach the nose to the tail. I think the nose is not removable from its portion of the mid-section sleeve. Towards the bottom of the nose there is a tapped hole for a screw or bolt that does not go all the way through. The pics also show the nose being slightly hollow. The nose is non-magnetic while the mid-section and tail are lightly magnetic. The mid-section can carry a payload.(maybe a base bleed or flare??) It has the chemical remains and spent casing still inside but only a few letters are legible. The red plug plugs a non threaded hole. The 3 pin connector and red hole are at the very bottom of the mid section. The mid-section could feed downward into bottom section through a very small machined slit running the perimeter circumference of the interior lining.
I was assuming it to be a sabot round, but it looks rough and primitive compared to most versions, plus the size, shape and weight are off. Its a 34.5+-mm tube at 50cm+-long. Any ideas of what this is and/or where its from?

http://i.imgur.com/QmDIhS6.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/duG8PUN.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/o1NK0do.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6mJDWiG.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/zOkYr1L.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Pe4qft2.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/nvyfhyJ.jpg bottom
http://i.imgur.com/NcNFZt0.jpg middle to bottom showing spent casing
http://i.imgur.com/mDYuQxt.jpg middle to top showing slightly hollow.

 

[beihan62]

Could this be a wind tunnel test model of a much larger missile,?
Cheers,
Don,

 

[Texasdigger]

I also thought it could be but do they put serial numbers on aero test models? And why is their a used cartridge/casing in the mid section? Most aero testing models I've seen are highly machined, even early ones... This one is very well made but crude.
For example the tail fins have rivets instead of a solid machined piece.
There are other interesting characteristics also. The main cluster of holes are just for screws I took out to separate. Interesting to note that they were all clocked. There are six sets of screws and each set is clocked to match its partner. As you spin the rocket the clocking changes in a clockwise fashion for each set until it resets at horizontal.

Seems a little time consuming and unnecessary but very cool.

 

[glevum]

Please can you post your images on the forum using the go advanced tab.

If you don't your post is liable to be deleted.

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/85856-How-to-upload-images-01-02-13

 

[Texasdigger]

fixed...
I've been pouring through hundreds of pics/docs trying to find something similar. Everything from APFSDS to Loki's boosted darts, to flechettes, to pre 1960 hobby rockets and everything in between. Still unable to find a match.

 

[highlandotter]

Tip ofa whaling harpoon??

 

[Texasdigger]

Tip of a whaling harpoon??

Or a flechette for a big smurfing shotgun.:laugh:
It probably could kill a whale but... no way.

 

[kahu1]

It appears to have a small plug socket,that could be for a sensor?,maybe the cartridge produced smoke.
..or a flash (gordon) hood ornament...

 

[John P]

Not sure where this item was found but the rear end/fins look like those of a HVM/Starstreak dart. The front end is totally different to that of the live dart which has canard type wings at the front for steering/guidance but could be a telemetry or practice dart.

 

[Texasdigger]

Not sure where this item was found but the rear end/fins look like those of a HVM/Starstreak dart. The front end is totally different to that of the live dart which has canard type wings at the front for steering/guidance but could be a telemetry or practice dart.

Im in San Antonio,TX. I found this at a flea market. The guy didnt know what it was but his price was cheap and cool factor was high so I grabbed it. He had no info about it and wasn't selling anything related to cars or militaria just a bunch of old stuff...
Here in San Antonio there were and still are many military installations, most of which are Air Force. There is also Lockheed-Martin here. It may not have come from here but many militaria collectors likely live here. To me, it looks old but kept away. Ive posted on some other forums and for 2 weeks neither I nor anyone else has been able to pinpoint what it is leading me to believe it may not be military or big business at all. On the other hand the xxed out serial numbers are a clue that leads me to believe its no hobby time project. Someone put a great deal of time into this. It exudes vintage quality. Do you think it is military/big business or just a hobby made projectile?

 

[US-Subs]

I think you may have been close with the Loki dart thought line. While the original Loki dart started out as an anti-aircraft piece in the 50s, its progression into atmospheric test hardware left it with many variations. The details in your photos are not a far stretch to some that we used to see on White Sands, many being varied test by test. The relatively light weight construction (vs APDS), hollowed out areas, plug in capability - all could be seen to support this sort of use. The system name Loki was essentially the delivery motors, the "package" while standardized for routine tests, had some flexibility in size, shape and construction as necessary for test purposes. We also did much larger systems such as the Nike Black Brant, Terrier Black Brant, etc. Similar concepts, bigger packages.

 

[Texasdigger]

I think you may have been close with the Loki dart thought line. While the original Loki dart started out as an anti-aircraft piece in the 50s, its progression into atmospheric test hardware left it with many variations. The details in your photos are not a far stretch to some that we used to see on White Sands, many being varied test by test. The relatively light weight construction (vs APDS), hollowed out areas, plug in capability - all could be seen to support this sort of use. The system name Loki was essentially the delivery motors, the "package" while standardized for routine tests, had some flexibility in size, shape and construction as necessary for test purposes. We also did much larger systems such as the Nike Black Brant, Terrier Black Brant, etc. Similar concepts, bigger packages.

Thats interesting. I Did a little more wikipedia and found the loki darts to be 35mm. Mine is 35mm also meaning it would fit the booster. My dart is small but as you stated many tests were done. I imagine they experimented a lot of different dart combinations..